Minister of Public Safety responds to the 2018 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada

OTTAWA, Nov. 20, 2018 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued the following statement on the 2018 Fall Report of the Auditor General of Canada:

"The Government of Canada is committed to a correctional system that keeps Canadians safe and holds guilty parties accountable for breaking the law‎, while fostering rehabilitation so we can have fewer repeat offenders, fewer victims, and ultimately safer communities.

I welcome the Auditor General's recommendations to strengthen community corrections by better managing accommodation in the community, ensuring parole officers have the information they need and removing barriers to accessing health cards for offenders, as well as improving how we measure results.

The Correctional Service of Canada agrees with all the recommendations and is working to address them. It is implementing a national, long-term approach for the management of community accommodation. CSC is reviewing its policies on sharing of health information. It is improving collaboration with provincial and territorial health authorities, to ensure offenders have access to health cards upon release. And CSC is determining an approach, consistent with privacy legislation, to ensure that parole officers receive the information they require in a timely manner. As well, the government is working to develop re-offending measurements that incorporate information from provinces and territories.

I will continue to work with the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada to ensure the continued safety of our communities."

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Scott Bardsley, Senior Advisor for Communications, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [e-mail]; Media Relations, Correctional Service Canada, 613-992-7711, [e-mail]

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca