2024 to 2025 Citizen Advisory Committees Annual Report

Overview

The Citizen Advisory Committees (CAC) are independent and impartial advisory committees that work in collaboration with, and contribute to, the mandate of Correctional Service Canada (CSC).

One of the principles articulated in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (CCRA) is that CSC involves the public in its operations. CACs help CSC to fulfill this legislated mandate as well as educating the public about the operations of the Service. CACs also contribute to CSC’s corporate priority of supporting productive relationships with diverse partners, stakeholders and others involved in support of public safety.

The mandate of the CACs is outlined in section 7 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Regulations (CCRR), which gives members access to all parts of the institutions and parole offices, as well as staff and offenders. Committees must also make themselves available for discussions and consultations with the public, offenders, staff members, and CSC management.

Initiated in the early 1960s by citizens to be a bridge between prisons and the communities where they are located, CACs help CSC build stronger links between CSC and the public. They are the eyes and ears of the public in an environment otherwise closed off to most of society.

Members are citizens appointed to serve on committees in a voluntary capacity. They believe in public safety, the right of all citizens to be involved in the correctional process, and the ability of offenders to become law-abiding citizens.

Committees help provide greater transparency, openness, and accountability with the public that CSC serves.

CACs have three main roles:

• Observe: CACs are impartial observers of CSC's day-to-day operations. Members visit facilities regularly to meet with offenders, CSC officials, and staff. They help assess if offenders are getting adequate care, supervision, and services.
• Liaise: CACs listen to public concerns and offer CSC a community point of view. They also help raise awareness of federal corrections in their communities and networks and promote the important work that CSC undertakes to encourage citizens to get involved.
• Advise: Based on their observations, CACs give independent advice to CSC on its policies, programs, services, and operations.

The opinions and content expressed in this report are those of the CACs and not those of CSC. The report is published on CSC’s website for information purposes.

Membership

CACs operate at the same three levels as CSC. There is a CAC at:

• the site level (institutions and parole offices)
• five regional committees, and
• a national committee

The members of the regional committees are drawn from the local committees whereas the National Executive Committee of the CAC is made up of the chairs of each region.

The local committees are the heart and soul of CACs. They are supported by dedicated CSC staff and officials, without whom the committees would not be able to meet their mandate. A big thank you to all members, along with CSC staff and officials.

At a national level, the committees were represented and supported by the following individuals in 2024 to 2025:

• National Chair: Richard Veldhoen
• Atlantic Region: Greg Martin
• Quebec Region: Josiane Despins
• Ontario Region: Maire Bracken
• Prairie Region: Garry Didrikson
• Pacific Region: Eddy Elmer
• CSC Co-Chair (Non-voting): April Dorion

Thank you to former Commissioner Anne Kelly for her dedication to CACs. In addition, we have been well supported by the Public Affairs, Culture, and Engagement Sector at National Headquarters, including the Community and Stakeholder Relations Unit.

During the 2024 to 2025 fiscal year (April 1, 2024 to March 31, 2025), committees reported 235 members across 67 committees.

Highlights

Membership recruitment and retention continue to be a focus in all regions, including promoting diversity. CACs aim to represent both the local community and the communities from which the offenders originate. CAC members and CSC are collaborating to recruit members, especially those from underrepresented demographics.

To attract and accommodate members who have daytime commitments, virtual or hybrid meetings, as well as opportunities to meet outside of regular office hours, are promising practices.

The health, well-being, and community reintegration of the offender population serving long-term sentences has been a focus this year, as members have observed a need for increased support and services for this population. Ensuring offenders have the proper government-issued identification upon release in the community has been another focus. In addition, digital literacy has been a topic of discussion throughout the year.

CAC members participated in a variety of events and learning opportunities, such as shadowing parole officers on their routes, participating in community events, and attending national info-sessions, which provided valuable opportunities for learning and engagement.

Atlantic Region

In the Atlantic Region, recruitment efforts led to a notable increase in CAC membership. The annual regional meeting took place in the fall. Guest speakers included:

• Line Dumais, René Frigault, and Véronique Leblanc to provide an update on the Health Centre of Excellence
• Simon Chinamula on an Anti-Racism Framework Project
• CSC Regional Senior Management

Throughout the year, the region took part in various activities and best practices. CAC members held information booths at community events and gave presentations to local officials and community groups to support their recruitment efforts. In addition, the Atlantic Regional Chair joined a group of offenders from Springhill Institution on an Escorted Temporary Absence to attend an educational session led by Dr. Jay Barnett on Black mental well-being.

The region identified several areas for discussion and clarification during the year, including a number of matters discussed at the National Executive Committee level and in consultation with respective Offices of Primary Interest. This included concerns raised on the thin construction of new fire-resistant PVC mattresses, particularly for those who are elderly or have medical concerns. Housing for released offenders was another matter that was discussed. The region also worked in collaboration with CSC to get ongoing updates on the status of the Health Centre of Excellence.

Committees participated in valuable learning opportunities, including attending presentations about the Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) and the Overdose Prevention Service (OPS), aging populations, and Indigenous traditions, promoting awareness and ongoing engagement. The Regional Chair also visited several committees in the region, encouraging the sharing of information and best practices.

Quebec Region

The Quebec Region saw a slight increase in CAC membership this year. The annual regional meeting was held in a hybrid format on November 2, 2024, continuing the tradition of meeting on the first Saturday of November. The meeting focused on support for individuals serving long-term sentences, featuring presentations from a senior CSC project officer and four external partner representatives.

Throughout the year, the regional committee prioritized the needs of long-term offenders. A survey of 96 offenders was conducted, and the results were compiled into a report with recommendations submitted to the Regional Deputy Commissioner and the Office of Primary Interest leading the Lifer Strategy at CSC’s National Headquarters.

The region remained active and engaged in a variety of initiatives. Three CAC newsletters were published, and members participated in inter-committee facility visits, which allowed for discussions with staff and inmates. CACs also took part in numerous ceremonies and activities, including Indigenous ceremonies, school recognition events, Truth and Reconciliation Day, Christmas activities, pet therapy programs, and the Region of Quebec Memorial Ceremony for Fallen CSC Employees. Community outreach was a consistent focus, with efforts such as open houses, media engagement, and partnerships with local organizations.

Several CACs demonstrated best practices during the year. Montreal CAC demonstrated successful recruitment efforts and promoted the Prisons Inside / Out podcast. The La Macaza Institution CAC has a regular meeting schedule, increasing participation and engagement. Members have also developed a collaborative relationship with the inmate committee, building trust and communication. Granby Institution’s CAC noted strong involvement of CSC and concrete recognition of volunteers, creating an environment of communication and collaboration.

The region identified a number of areas for discussion and improvement. Challenges identified included double cell occupancy, recruitment difficulties in remote areas, the need for more frequent and structured dialogue with inmate committees, and limited visibility of positive institutional initiatives. Persistent concerns were also raised regarding reintegration support, particularly for women and individuals serving long sentences.

Media and outreach efforts were robust and included articles, radio interviews, and advertisements helping to raise awareness and support recruitment. Recruitment activities involved job fairs, social media, and partnerships with Laval University. The region also participated in various learning opportunities, including training on the Prison Needle Exchange Program and the Overdose Prevention Service, webinars, conferences, and facility visits.

Ontario and Nunavut Region

While the Ontario and Nunavut Region saw stable membership this year, six new members were appointed, and five new CAC members are in the process of joining due to significant outreach and recruitment efforts. There was also a focus on increasing the diversity of members.

Instead of the annual regional meeting, a symposium was organized by the Peterborough CAC members in collaboration with Trent University with the support of the Regional CAC Executive and CSC. It was held in October 2024 at Trent University and titled Beyond the Charge: Reintegration and Success Over Stigma. It was a highly successful event with over 100 attendees, including regional CAC members, community agencies, CSC staff, students, and the public. The symposium addressed public misconceptions and stigma surrounding parolees and promoted inclusive reintegration efforts. Guest speakers included:

• Kevin Snedden, Regional Deputy Commissioner, Ontario and Nunavut Region
• Richard Sauvé, Community Legal Worker
• Emily O’Brien, founder and CEO of Comeback Snacks
• Dr. Else Knudsen, Assistant Professor, Department of Social Work, Trent University

This was a significant undertaking and accomplishment by the Peterborough CAC, and they are very proud of the success of the event.

The regional executive committee met frequently during the year and had a variety of guest speakers. Notable speakers included:

• Dr. Ivan Zinger, Office of the Correctional Investigator
• Tom Best, Executive Director of Book Clubs for Inmates

CAC members actively engaged in a wide range of institutional and community activities, including book launches, health and pre-release fairs, and offender graduations. They participated in cultural and commemorative events such as Black History Month, Indigenous ceremonies, and memorial services. Committees also hosted numerous open houses and a presentation on the Provincial Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement Squad. Members also toured an institution with the Correctional Investigator, observed critical incidents, and networked with community partners to promote employment-focused support.

Several CACs demonstrated best practices during the year. The region is working to strengthen connections between community CACs and institutional CACs. This effort aims to create a more robust network of CACs that can better understand the challenges offenders face during their transition back into the community. In addition, the region has developed and continues to improve a checklist for new members, helping to speed up the onboarding process and reduce waiting time for new members.

The Ottawa Parole Office’s CAC members created an initiative to support offender reintegration through providing them with backpacks filled with fundamental supplies. Specifically, eight backpacks were donated to the community residential facility Ikaarvik House. Each backpack included hygiene products, winter gear, snacks, a notebook and pen, and a gift card. These items provide immediate practical support while reinforcing a sense of normalcy and encouragement for individuals transitioning back into the community.

The region worked to improve various concerns and issues during the year. One topic raised by the Regional CAC Chair was the policy on donations of excess food. The CAC continues to actively engage in discussion and recommendations to allow surplus food to be donated to Food Banks. Another concern was the lack of air conditioning in institutions in the summer, a topic that was brought to the attention of the National Executive Committee of the CAC. In addition, some local chairs expressed concern over the lack of awareness of CSC senior staff on the role of the CAC. The Regional CAC Chair requested that CACs be notified whenever there are changes to staffing at the senior level to ensure the CAC role is clearly understood, and a working relationship can be established.

Prairie Region

The Prairie Region experienced a slight decrease in CAC membership this year, while maintaining strong engagement across its committees. The annual regional meeting occurred in-person from May 24-25, 2024, in Saskatoon. Guest speakers included:

• Jason Hope, Regional Deputy Commissioner, Prairie Region
• Kathy Neil, Deputy Commissioner Indigenous Corrections, National Headquarters
• Jean-Frédéric Boulais, Office of the Correctional Investigator

The meeting included a tour of the Saskatoon CORCAN Community Industries.

In December 2024, a virtual meeting gave all CAC members in the region an opportunity to speak directly with the Regional Deputy Commissioner. This virtual meeting is held annually and recognized as a regional best practice, offering direct engagement between CAC members and the Regional Deputy Commissioner.

The Prairie Region was incredibly proud to see Mary Stephenson, long-serving member of the Grande CAChe Institution CAC, receive the 2024 James A. Murphy CAC Award of Excellence. Mary has been a leader in advancing CAC initiatives for the last 30 years. An award ceremony was held for Mary at Grande Cache Institution in April 2025.

Throughout the year, the region demonstrated many best practices and collaborative efforts. For example, Winnipeg Parole CAC has adopted a hybrid meeting format allowing the committee to meet virtually in the winter months, improving meeting attendance and reducing cancelled meetings due to inclement weather. Other highlights in the region included participation in various community events such as the outreach event “How CSC Works: Community Partnership Engagement” in Edmonton, the Christmas Potluck at the Oskana Community Correctional Centre, and the University of Regina’s first Undergraduate Restorative Justice Conference. In addition, CAC members at Edmonton Institution for Women participated in an impressive total of 28 operational meetings during the year.

A key concern raised in the region was ensuring offenders are discharged with appropriate government-issued identification. The concern was raised to the National Executive Committee of the CAC where it was a prominent agenda item during the year. In addition, low rates for inmate pay and meal allowances for residents of Community Correctional Centres was a focus. Local CACs discussed this issue and intended to continue discussions during the 2025-26 year, potentially bringing it to the National Executive Committee. Recruitment of Indigenous community members is an ongoing priority for all the Prairie Region CACs, particularly those connected with Healing Lodges.

The Prairie Region was happy to see 100% annual reporting compliance from local committees for the sixth year in a row. In addition, CACs in the region have benefited from enthusiastic and engaged involvement of senior level management, front-line staff, and community partners.

Pacific Region

Pacific Region saw a slight membership increase this year. Regional meetings occurred in May and November 2024. Guest speakers included:

• Lisa Saether, Regional Manager, Community Relations and Training, Parole Board of Canada
• John Randle, President and Chris Wright, Regional Health & Safety Delegate, Union of Canadian Correctional Officers, Pacific Region

The region remained very active in public education and outreach. The CAC for Metro Vancouver West Community Corrections (MVWCC) hosted its fifth annual webinar, Traumatic Brain Injuries in Prison and on Parole: From Assessment to Reintegration, attracting nearly 700 registrants worldwide—its most successful to date. CACs for William Head Institution and the Prince George Parole Office hosted forums for community groups working with ethnocultural offenders, with the Prince George event attended by the city’s mayor. Regional Chair Eddy Elmer spoke on CFIS-FM Radio about CACs and delivered a guest lecture on aging offenders at Simon Fraser University.

Members engaged in ongoing learning and consultation, including visiting other CACs to learn about their sites, share best practices, and build relationships. Pacific Institution CAC launched an education series on correctional procedures, and MVWCC CAC participated in CSC’s review of the Offender Case Management System. Members also joined a national discussion with the Correctional Investigator.

CACs identified several areas requiring improvement, including more institutional employment opportunities and expanded work-release options for inmates, as well as greater access to vocational training and recreational programming for those serving long-term sentences. Mountain Institution CAC has engaged local city councillors to identify new community job opportunities.

The aging inmate population remains a concern. To help address this, Pacific Institution CAC liaised with the Abbotsford Hospice Society to help CSC establish an end-of-life facility and provide hospice training for inmate volunteers in Pacific Institution’s Peer Assisted Living (PAL) program.

CACs also highlighted the need for expanded digital literacy training and greater access to technology and online education. It is hoped that CSC’s proposed Digital Strategy and its new Digital Education Project—which is very active in the region—will help address these needs. CACs at Pacific Institution and Fraser Valley Institution for Women have partnered with post-secondary institutions to host “world cafés” on topics such as artificial intelligence and to support delivery of creative writing and communications courses.

CACs identified a range of additional operational issues, including the limited number of Community Security Intelligence Officers; insufficient government identification upon release; heating, cooling, and air filtration issues; limited access to chaplaincy and other faith-based services for diverse groups; programming for gender-diverse individuals not housed in their preferred facility; and barriers to therapeutic pet programs. CACs also noted the need for more transitional housing for parolees; additional volunteers to support social connection, everyday living skills, and Escorted Temporary Absences; and allowances that keep pace with inflation.

1. CAC promotion and awareness

Promoting the CAC, especially in the community, has been a focus over the year. This focus led to the formation of the Focus Group on Communications. Best practices include participating in community events, hosting open houses, and posting promotional posters in key community locations. The promotional poster for member recruitment is available on the CSC Stakeholder Collaboration Hub. CAC members and CSC are committed to developing a plan to address this need in further detail. Increasing overall CSC staff and offender awareness, in both community and institutions, remains an ongoing priority for the National Executive Committee.

2. Long-term offenders

How to best support long-term offenders, both in institutions and in the community, has been an area of focus. More access to vocational training for this population would be beneficial, as it better prepares them for successful reintegration and provides a sense of purpose. During community supervision visits, it was also noted that elderly offenders seem to require more contact from Parole Officers, who are often the only significant person to them. In addition, CAC members have advised that the adaptation of institutions, community residential facilities, and health services to accommodate this increasing and vulnerable population should be a priority.

3. Offender identification

Ensuring offenders are released with appropriate government-issued identification was raised to the National Executive Committee of the CAC, where it was a prominent agenda item during the year. The Reintegration Operations Division gave a presentation at the National Executive Committee to discuss the current procedures and processes in place. Limitations on provincial and residential requirements prior to providing identification were shared, and CSC confirms that every reasonable effort is made by staff, sometimes supported by stakeholders and volunteers, to locate and/or get new offender identification prior to release.
Below outlines a number of other national initiatives that took place throughout 2024 to 25.

CAC resource materials

The CAC Toolkit continued to be a useful resource which contains helpful materials for CAC use, including:

• Promotional poster for offenders about CACs
• Promotional poster for recruitment of CAC members
• Recruitment and Retention Tools document providing tips to CSC staff and CAC members
• Certificate of Appreciation from the CAC
• Thank You Card from the CAC
• Business card template for CAC members

In addition, the Key Information for CACs and the CAC Communication Guide supply additional information for CAC members. These resources remained available for access on the CSC Stakeholder Collaboration Hub. CAC members have been encouraged to create an account to access resources and to connect with each other.

CAC Focus Group on Communications in the Community

A Focus Group from the National Executive Committee of the CAC was created to dive deeper into the topic of communications and connecting with offenders in the community. Their goal is to promote and scale existing practices on outreach and in-reach between CAC members and offenders in the community, as well as between CAC members and CSC community staff. The Focus Group met four times virtually during the year to discuss a way forward to address issues and barriers, and has consulted with Community Reintegration, Correctional Operations and Programs Sector, as well as with a local CAC member from the Ottawa Parole Office CAC with commitments to engage with district directors, survey community CAC staff, increase CAC related information upon offender release, and communicate findings with members.  

CAC Committee on Women’s Corrections

The CAC Committee on Women’s Corrections is led by Peggy Joiner from the Nova Scotia Community CAC, alongside the Women Offender Sector, and is made up of interested CAC members from any site, with a particular focus on representation from women’s institutions. The goal of the committee is to bring together a wide variety of CAC perspectives to support CSC in advancing the principles and vision of change outlined in the Creating Choices: The Report of the Task Force on Federally Sentenced Women. Throughout 2024 to 2025, the committee met three times to share promising practices and discuss matters related to improving support for women offenders. They were also engaged on CSC’s Community Strategy for Women and the review of the Mother-Child Program.

Bulletin on Ethnocultural Offenders

CAC members across Canada received a Bulletin developed by CSC to share information with the members in relation to ethnocultural offenders. Advisory members are regularly engaged with the offender population, including those from Black or other racialized groups. Sharing information that assists in enhancing the understanding of the complex and diverse work of CSC, its staff and offender population is intended to better inform CAC members in their trusted role as impartial and independent observers within CSC’s operations.

National information sessions

In addition to extending webinar and event information regularly, in 2024 to 2025, NHQ organized and hosted national information sessions open to all CAC members. These sessions were aimed to enhance the knowledge and understanding of members on some of CSC’s key priorities and initiatives. Subjects included:

• Reintegration of Offenders in the Community
• Inmate Committees
• Prison Needle Exchange Program / Overdose Prevention Service

Information updates on program areas were also provided, including on the offender complaint and grievance process. Call outs were issued for committees, including the Patient Advocate Service Advisory Committee, and the Health Centre of Excellence - Public Advisory Group in the Atlantic Region.

2024 James A. Murphy Award

The winner of the 2024 James A. Murphy Award, Mary Stephenson, was announced in April 2025 during National Volunteer Week. Information was shared on CSC’s website and through various communications.
Candidates were nominated from four regions as follows:

Quebec Region

Édith Lafontaine, a hard-working and proactive member of the Joliette Institution CAC who has demonstrated enthusiasm and engagement.

Ontario and Nunavut Region

The Peterborough CAC, an admirable committee that has shown outstanding leadership and initiative.

Prairie Region

Mary Stephenson, an invaluable asset to the CAC at Grande Cache Institution for nearly thirty years. (James A. Murphy Award recipient)

Pacific Region

Grant Anderson, a CSC Community Program Manager who has worked alongside CACs for 15 years, exemplifying dedication and commitment.

James A. Murphy Award Selection Committee

The James A. Murphy selection committee consisted of the following people representing Canada dedicated to the CAC mandate:

• Jim Murphy (CSC – retired)
• Paul Woodruff (Atlantic Region CAC)
• Jean-Marie Dugas (Quebec Region CAC)
• David Raponi-Monk (Ontario Region CAC)
• Robert Goluch (Prairie Region CAC)
• Swayam Chandra (Pacific Region CAC)
• Nell Hales (CSC)

The selection committee was supported by the Community and Stakeholder Relations Unit, led by Donat Bilomba, who provided secretariat support.

CACs in the public domain

Eddy Elmer and the Metro Vancouver West CAC hosted their fifth annual webinar on the subject of Traumatic Brain Injury in Prison and on Parole: Assessment to Reintegration. It was a successful and popular event with over 700 registrants.
CACs were mentioned in the media in 2024 to 2025:

• Inside Dorchester Penitentiary, Part I: drugs, drones & dogs

CACs were mentioned on CSC’s social media channels in 2024 to 2025:

• CAC Appreciation Day 2024 - Facebook
• CAC Appreciation Day 2024 - X
• CAC Appreciation Day 2024 - LinkedIn
• James A. Murphy Award Recipient - Peggy Joiner - Facebook
• National Executive Committee of the CAC In-Person Meeting - Facebook
• National Executive Committee of the CAC In-Person Meeting - X
• National Executive Committee of the CAC In-Person Meeting - LinkedIn
• New CAC Atlantic Regional Chair - Greg Martin - Facebook
• New CAC Atlantic Regional Chair - Greg Martin - X
• New CAC Atlantic Regional Chair - Greg Martin - LinkedIn
• CAC Recruitment Quebec Region - Facebook
• CAC Recruitment Quebec Region - X
• CAC Recruitment Quebec Region - LinkedIn
• New CAC National Chairperson - Richard Veldhoen - Facebook
• New CAC National Chairperson - Richard Veldhoen - X
• CAC Recruitment Pacific Region - Facebook
• CAC Recruitment Pacific Region - X
• CAC Recruitment Pacific Region - LinkedIn
• New CAC Prairie Regional Chair - Garry Didrikson - Facebook
• New CAC Prairie Regional Chair - Garry Didrikson - X
• New CAC Prairie Regional Chair - Garry Didrikson - LinkedIn
• CAC Member Spotlight - Élise, Chair of the Archambault Institution CAC - Facebook
• CAC Member Spotlight - Élise, Chair of the Archambault Institution CAC - X
• CAC Member Spotlight - Élise, Chair of the Archambault Institution CAC - LinkedIn

CACs were mentioned in CSC’s Let’s Talk in 2024 to 2025:

• Faces of CSC: James Murphy
• Peggy Joiner: Championing Change and Empowerment in Canadian Corrections
• Faces of CSC: Pastor Oliver Johnson

Conclusion

In 2024 to 2025, our members focused on strengthening collaboration with CSC by recruiting new members, maintaining regular meetings, and actively participating in a variety of activities and discussion on priorities.
We extend our sincere gratitude to Maire Bracken, who served as the CAC Ontario Chair from 2021 to 2025. Her leadership and dedication were instrumental in supporting many of the initiatives highlighted in this report.
CAC members and CSC staff continue to work closely to fulfill the CAC mandate. We deeply appreciate the support provided at national, regional, and especially local levels. This support enables members to carry out their vital role and contribute meaningfully to public safety.