Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have questions about A New Day Program, I'd like to direct them to the Minister of Justice. Last year the Auditor General of Canada released a report on corrections and pointing out some of the deficiencies, which included a lack of access to programs while in remand. I'd like to ask the Minister what programs are offered in remand? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Minister of Justice.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. There are programs in remand. I believe the name of the program is called A Partner Program. A New Day is a voluntary program and is not accessible to those in remand. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I believe the Minister said A New Day is not accessible to those in remand. It's my understanding that twice a month A New Day goes to remand and provides counselling sessions for inmates. So am I wrong or is the Minister misinformed?
Mr. Speaker, A New Day program is a community-based pilot program that takes place outside of the jail system. Certainly people currently in custody, who will ultimately of course be released, may be encouraged to take the full A New Day program once they are released.
I recommend that the Minister checks his facts on that. I'd also like to ask the Minister, being our Attorney General, he's aware of the Gladue decision of the Supreme Court, which says that, in sentencing, courts must look at culturally-appropriate sanctions for offences when it comes to Aboriginal offenders. Seeing as A New Day is the only program really aimed at men when it comes to issues with domestic violence, if the government doesn't continue this program how is it living up to its obligations to provide these sort of programs for the judiciary so the judiciary can live up to the expectations and orders of the Supreme Court?
Mr. Speaker, as I've mentioned several times already, the government is interested and dedicated to this type of program. We are simply asking for time to evaluate the report that should be provided to me very shortly. Of course, I am aware of the Gladue case which was referred to by the Member opposite. The judiciary is aware of A New Day program. But, as I mentioned, it is a voluntary program, so I don't think it would be appropriate or wise to have a requirement to attend the program imposed as part of a probation order. The whole point of the program is voluntary for men in our community. Certainly, A New Day program can be advertised to those in custody, but the program is for those who have finished their period of custody or have never been in custody that are on the street, if I can put it that way.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Hay River North.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. It is also my understanding that there are referrals from probation, from parole, from the Wellness Court to take A New Day. So, again, I'd like the Minister to maybe read his briefing notes again on this topic.
My final question is in July the Minister wrote a letter to me in response to questions I had earlier on the program. In that letter it said, "The Department of Justice is in the process of determining what options are available to continue the men's program should the evaluation find it to be ineffective." This is Tabled Document 127-18(2). So in the four months since that letter was written, what has the department done? Where are they in the process of determining options? What have they come up with? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, as I had mentioned in the House earlier, we are having a report prepared, which we are eagerly awaiting. It is a comprehensive and rather expensive report. I haven't seen the report, I haven't seen even the early draft of it, but I'm sure it will have options. It may be that this type of program should be expanded, but we're waiting for the report to determine that.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Yellowknife Centre.
