QUESTION PERIOD — Public Safety
Parole Eligibility
September 25, 2024
Leader, every June our former colleague Senator Boisvenu would rise in the chamber to honour the memory of his daughter Julie who was kidnapped, raped and murdered in 2002. She was just 27 years old. Senator Boisvenu retired earlier this year, but the work continues in order to ensure Canada puts victims of crime and their families first.
Last week, leader, the Parole Board of Canada extended day parole to a serial rapist in Edmonton who was convicted of sexually assaulting five women over a six-year period. The Parole Board’s decision acknowledged he may have more victims, yet they extended his day parole anyway. His risk of reoffending was deemed manageable by the Parole Board.
Leader, what message does that send to former Senator Boisvenu and to this person’s victims? What message does this send to Canadians?
Thank you for your question. First, all of us still remember and honour the memory of our former colleague’s daughter and the tragedy his family suffered.
I served on the Parole Board of Canada and was appointed by former Prime Minister Harper. I understand very well the criteria in legislation that the Parole Board applies independent of government decisions, and in my time there I had to make some difficult decisions. I understand very well the impact of any decision, however justified — and many are — on the victims and their families, so I understand the nature of your question at an emotional level, but I do not know the circumstances or the file. I have every confidence that the Parole Board continues to do its work according to the law.
In May, the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner reported that the Parole Board failed to take seriously the sexual harassment suffered by four of its female employees from a member of their board. The report says they “grossly mismanaged the situation” and “enabled” his behaviour.
If the Parole Board can’t keep their own employees safe, how can we expect them to keep Canadians safe?
The abuse of employees in any circumstance — in any organization, at any level, public or private — is unacceptable. That is a separate question, with all due respect, from how the Parole Board applies the legislation to ensure that Canadians’ security is put first and that risks are managed appropriately.
