WHEREAS Canada’s Aboriginal population comprises approximately seventeen (17) percent of all federal inmates but same is only four (4) percent of Canada’s total population;
WHEREAS Aboriginal women account for approximately twenty five (25) percent of federal female inmates;
WHEREAS the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to a correctional system that is just and fair;
BE IT RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada is committed to the principles enunciated by the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision in R v. Gladue as enshrined in 718.2(e) of the Criminal Code;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Liberal Party of Canada will petition the Government of Canada to take meaningful steps in order to reduce the gross overrepresentation of Aboriginal people in Canada’s correctional system including, but not limited to, rehabilitation, reintegration, and poverty reduction strategies.
Liberal Party of Canada (Nunavut)
Aboriginal People’s Commission
I support the general principle here, but these “motherhood” type statements lack the teeth to really mean anything. Nobody is going to argue for putting MORE aboriginals in jail, but we need to have something more specific to offer than “something must be done….”. Need a measurable deliverable here.
Since ~25% of female inmates are Aboriginal, and since 80% of incarcerated Canadian women are there for poverty-related crimes, 39% of which are for failure to pay a fine (source: http://www.ncw.gc.ca/l.3bd.2t.1ilshtml@-eng.jsp?lid=433&fid=2 #t_footnote_65), perhaps we could start by obtaining their release. That would end the (unfair) incarceration of (80%*39%*25%=) 7.8% of the female inmates; all of whom would be Aboriginal. The result would reduce female Aboriginal inmates to ~10% of the female inmate population. It shouldn’t be unpalatable if people are made to understand that the only reason they were incarcerated was for failing to pay a fine (plus it costs much more than the fine to jail them).
It isn’t a full solution, but it could be a good start.
Although if all inmates (who failed to pay a fine) were released, the overrepresentation of Aboriginals might not change by as much. It would depend directly upon whether the rate of incarceration for failing-to-pay-a-fine was higher or lower for Aboriginal women than other women.
I think I agree with Tania. I agree with the general affirmation of 718.2(e) (which I’ve just read) but this resolution seems to go further to the point where I’m afraid its just giving a blank cheque to Aboriginal peoples to break the law with impunity. I don’t think that’s the way to go, either.
Certainly, poverty reduction strategies, particularly among our Aboriginal population, is a good thing. But I think we go after it with a poverty reduction strategy, not a get out of jail free card.
Passed
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