Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, earlier today the Minister of Justice was answering some questions and mentioned that he was not sure how many training positions there are with the correctional service, but he was sure there were enough. I did some research between then and now. There are two positions; one at the facility, one at the headquarters. They are both staffed by the same person. I want to ask the Minister now if he thinks one person to coordinate, plan, and execute all the training for 350 probation and correction officers is sufficient. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Minister of Justice.
Mr. Speaker, that does seem like a very heavy caseload. What I can do is undertake to look into this matter. I have not been aware that there are any problems. It is possible that one person could provide all these functions, but I acknowledge that would certainly be an exceptional person. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
I agree with the Minister. We have the best public servants in Canada, and certainly, they are up to the task. I just think it is unfortunate that this Minister is asking one individual to take so much on. I will take his commitment. There are a few other things I would like him to look into. Apparently at the facility itself, when recreation time is given, they will take one of the officers off the job to go and deal with direct duties, leaving one officer behind to handle 30-plus inmates. Is the Minister aware of issues like that that may be compromising the safety of officers who are doing their jobs at the facility and not being provided adequate backup and relief in potentially unsafe situations?
I was not aware of this specific issue. I am sure that management is ensuring that all correctional officers do have adequate backup and support. I will, however, look into it if the Member wishes.
The Member does wish it, and I will look forward to the Minister reporting back, or his department. Another concern I will share with the Minister today is that currently the emergency response team at the jail is not a dedicated unit. In other facilities, it is a dedicated unit. They receive two-week intensive training. They are equipped with a full range of security gear, including specialized non-lethal weaponry that allows them to control these situations. None of that is present at our facility. There is not a dedicated emergency response team. Will the Minister look into emergency response protocols and ensure that our correctional officers are given the equipment they need to deal with those situations and also the training that they need to deal with those situations?
There may not be a dedicated ERT team out at NSCC. There may be ERT-specific teams in larger institutions. I am not certain. I do know, however, that all correctional staff are given training on how to cool down difficult situations so that they can be safe as can be the inmates at the institutions.
Masi. Oral questions. Member for Kam Lake.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Again, we have the best public servants in the world and the best correctional officers in the world. They have great relationships with the inmates. It is when the situation goes wrong that you need to prepare for contingencies. I will leave that with the Minister and ask my final question: I have heard reports that officers are being sent home on the basis of the tension level of the building.
Essentially, managers are being told to eyeball the building and judge whether or not it is a tense night or tense evening or tense day and sending people home early to cut back on overtime hours paid to officers. Can the Minister look into the practice and make sure it isn't happening, make sure our staffing levels are compliant with security requirements, and make sure our officers are supported? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Mr. Speaker, I am confident that staffing levels and training are more than adequate at our facility. I have actually understood that the number of violent or potentially violent incidents at the facility was actually in decline. I certainly will look into the issues raised by the Member opposite. Thank you.
