Ottawa, Ontario, June 7, 2012 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, delivered remarks today at the Economic Club of Canada in Ottawa, focusing on the Harper Government’s efforts to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal corrections system.
“Our Government is committed to keeping our streets and communities safe and secure,” said Minister Toews. “Our Government’s tough new laws to tackle crime are ending the revolving door of justice by keeping dangerous criminals behind bars longer. More importantly, our efforts have not resulted in a significant increase in the number of federal prisoners.”
The decommissioning of Kingston Penitentiary, the Regional Treatment Centre in Kingston, Ontario and Leclerc Institution in Laval, Quebec will begin in 2013-2014 and be completed by 2014-2015.
“Since 2006, our Government has not built a single new prison and we have no intention of building a single new prison. We are closing these facilities, which are not serving taxpayers – or the staff of CSC – as effectively as other facilities.” said Minister Toews. “Maintaining appropriate infrastructure to fit the needs of a modern correctional system is key to public safety. Nineteenth century facilities are not suitable for a 21st century offender population.”
To learn more about the Correctional Service of Canada, please visit www.csc-scc.gc.ca.
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