Hon. Vic Toews: Mr. Speaker, with regard to (a), CSC operates 57 federal correctional institutions across Canada ranging from minimum to maximum security, 16 community correctional centres and 84 parole offices. None of these facilities are operated by the private sector. Budget 2012 was clear: the government has not built a single new prison since 2006 and has no intention of building any new prisons.

The government is committed to the idea that the work of guarding inmates should be performed by employees of the Government of Canada. CSC currently uses some privatized services for the delivery of specialized, non-correctional programs and services, e.g., medical professionals and educational services, which are provided through contracts with the private sector. In addition, CSC does contract, or enter into agreements, with not-for-profit organizations and communities, which operate community residential facilities, also known as halfway houses, or healing lodges, or which provide a service to CSC.

With regard to (a)(i) and (a)(iii), CSC had previously engaged in discussions with Public-Private Partnerships Canada, or PPP Canada, but has no plans to pursue the use of PPP.

With regard to (a)(ii), no agreements or contracts have been entered into.

With regard to (b)(i) and (b)(ii), court-imposed sentences of two years or more are administered within the federal correctional system, while sentences of less than two years are administered through the provincial/territorial correctional systems. However, Section 16 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act provides for the Minister of Public Safety, with the approval of the Governor in Council, to enter into an exchange of services agreement, ESA, with the government of a province for the confinement of federal offenders in provincial correctional facilities or hospitals and the confinement of provincial offenders in federal penitentiaries.

CSC currently has bilateral ESAs with all 13 provincial/territorial jurisdictions.

With regard to (b)(iii), these agreements do not involve the privatization of any aspect of correctional and accommodation services.

The post Question No. 1168 appeared first on Elizabeth May.

Independent MP, Bruce Hyer, Thunder Bay-Superior North asked:   “Mr. Speaker, two years ago the Conservative member for Kenora crowed about the importance of new dollars for the Experimental Lakes Area. He stated:

‘The Experimental Lakes Area is known world-wide as Canada’s most innovative freshwater research centre. …we are investing in projects like this one — helping to establish Canada as a leader in knowledge creation…’

Will the member for Kenora fight for the research centre that he bragged about recently or just allow his party to toss those investments and his credibility into the Experimental Lakes?”

In response Kamp said: “Mr. Speaker … we are looking forward to facilitating a transfer from this particular facility to a private organization.”

“This is truly shocking,” said Green Leader Elizabeth May, MP Saanich-Gulf Islands.  “The Experimental Lakes Area has contributed immensely to our understanding of freshwater ecosystems.  Since 1968, a group of small lakes 250 kilometres east of Winnipeg has provided a unique opportunity for study. 

“The changing chemistry of lakes from acid rain, phosphates, decreased stratospheric ozone leading to greater UV and the impacts of climate change have all been studied. These impacts have been examined not only separately, but it relation to each other. This body of knowledge and ability to continue assessing impacts is critical to science,” said May.  “It is reckless to threaten our access to such critical work.”

The post Greens Horrified by Harper Conservatives’ Plan to Privatize Globally Respected Research Area appeared first on Elizabeth May.