QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Education for Individuals in Incarceration
February 10, 2026
Senator Moreau, I learned from the excellent journalists at La Presse that cuts are coming to education in Quebec, that is, to CEGEP classes in Quebec’s federal prisons. Then my office discovered that librarians, teachers and community employment coordinators are also at risk of being cut across the country. We are told that staff will be replaced by AI and computer software. It’s hard to imagine that when floppy disks are still in use in Canada’s correctional institutions.
Here is the crux of my concern, though. Incarcerated individuals want — need — the chance to improve themselves, to think about the future and to plan for the day when they reintegrate into their communities. They cannot do that when tools for education are being cut.
Senator Moreau, how far can we expect these cuts to go?
I will give you the information that I have from that department.
Inmates actually may pursue post-secondary education while incarcerated. The post-secondary education program allows inmates to learn a trade or profession or update trade qualifications. Inmates who want to take post-secondary courses must meet the university or college academic requirements. Courses are usually completed through correspondence with community colleges or universities. Part of this includes providing culturally sensitive education that is key to the successful rehabilitation of inmates in the care and custody of the Correctional Service Canada, or CSC. That’s the information that I have as of today.
Thank you, Senator Moreau. In Canada, public discourse is increasingly focused on incarceration. Bill C-14 will soon reform the bail system. Politicians would have us believe that putting people in prison will solve all our problems.
There is much less talk about rehabilitation, yet rehabilitation is one of the main objectives of incarceration. Does this government really believe that these additional cuts to Correctional Service Canada will promote rehabilitation?
Thank you, senator. According to the information I have, some of the courses offered are specifically aimed at rehabilitation. The government believes in a prison system that focuses on rehabilitation rather than incarceration alone. That is the information I have received from the minister responsible.
