Commissioner’s Update to Stakeholders: December 22, 2023
This content is a message to Correctional Service Canada's (CSC’s) stakeholders from the Commissioner of CSC.
As 2023 comes to a close, it is an opportunity to reflect on the year’s events and embrace new opportunities. Whether it be the resumption of pre-pandemic activities, implementing new ways of working, or simply aiming for change – it has been a year that most of us will have found to be influential.
For many, the conflicts around the world have had a profound impact on our lives, whether directly or indirectly. Please know that I understand that these are challenging, and unsettling times. Together, I hope that we can continue to share compassion and unity towards each other.
Below are some of the key events and updates since my last message.
Upcoming Enhancements to Victim Services at CSC
Many of us were impacted by the attention over the summer surrounding the transfer of a high-profile offender. As I shared in July, I struck a committee to review the transfer decision. While they found that the transfer was sound, and followed applicable laws and policy, there were two recommendations respective to victims. They recommended that:
- CSC shares the findings of this review and recommendations with the registered victims prior to any release of information to the media or to the public, which I did.
- CSC strengthen victim notifications and engagement by striking a committee dedicated to this work, which we struck on November 17, 2023.
In addition, on July 20, 2023, the Minister provided direction to CSC, which we are working to implement. It can be found here:
On October 26, 2023, Bill S-12 received Royal Assent, which introduced a new clause into the Criminal Code to require the Court to share the name and contact information for any victim who wishes to receive information from CSC under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act. The Coming Into Force date of this clause will be determined in the coming months. In the meantime, existing agreements between CSC and provincial/territorial victim services programs for victim information sharing will continue.
CSC’s Victim Services team was recently called before the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) for a clause-by-clause review of Bill C-320, An Act to Amend the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (Disclosure of Information to Victims). This Bill seeks to provide victims with information on how sentences are calculated.
Progress Report on Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion
In October, CSC released its Progress Report on Anti-Racism, Diversity and Inclusion for 2021 to 2023. This Report highlights the work CSC is doing to advance anti-racism, diversity, inclusion and equity efforts to take action towards real, systemic change. I encourage you to review the report here:
In addition to our internal efforts, we are working with Justice Canada and other Public Safety partners to contribute to the development of Canada’s Black and Indigenous Justice Strategies.
Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is the federal government’s response to anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. The Strategy will aim to help ensure that Black people have access to equal treatment and equal protection before the law in Canada. The Strategy is being developed in collaboration with an external steering group of Black experts and leaders in consultation with Black communities across Canada. It is expected to be completed early in 2024. More information can be found here:
Auditor General of Canada Reports
In October, the Auditor General of Canada tabled her Fall 2023 reports. One report, titled, “Inclusion in the Workplace for Racialized Employees,” looked at six departments to find out if they’ve demonstrated progress towards eliminating barriers experienced by racialized employees, as well as in developing an inclusive organizational culture. This included our organization.
The report made several recommendations to help departments with their work and emphasized the need for better use of data and research to inform equity and inclusion strategies and complaint mechanisms. I was pleased to see the Auditor General highlight that 89% of CSC’s performance agreements for non-executive managers included objectives related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, the highest rating among the six departments.
Moving forward, we will continue to work with our employee and partners to implement the report’s recommendations.
Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism Implementation Plan
In November, Public Safety Canada released its Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR) Implementation Plan for 2023 to 2025. CSC will continue to work closely with Public Safety, as well as other interested partners and stakeholders in an effort to meet the objectives of the FFRR.
Audit Report of Sentence Management
CSC published its Audit of Sentence Management. This audit was conducted as part of the 2020 to 2022 Evergreen
Risk-Based Audit Plan to provide assurance that a management framework is in place to support effective sentence management; and sentence structures are accurately calculated and reviewed in accordance with current and historical legislative provisions.
Please refer to the report to learn more about the audit, including the recommendations that were made to management:
Changes on Offender Money Allowances and Limits
CSC has waived inmate deductions for food, accommodation, and the Inmate Telephone System. These deductions will be waived indefinitely on September 11, 2023. The canteen limit has increased from $90 to $120 per pay period, including taxes. The annual transfer limit from offenders’ savings accounts to their current accounts has been permanently increased from $750 to $850.
As well, CSC will now increase the minimum balance required in offenders’ savings accounts from $80 to $200, over a phased approach. This is being done in order to encourage offenders to save for their release and ensure they have a minimum amount of funds when they are released.
- Commissioner's Directive 860 - Offender's Money
- Commissioner's Directive 890 - Inmate Owned Canteens
Changes on Preliminary Assessments and Post-Sentence Community Assessments
The following policy was updated in response to a recommendation from a national Board of Investigation regarding the requirement to address physical and mental health concerns. The policy was also amended to clarify terminology, definitions and procedures to ensure consistency throughout CSC’s policy framework. All case management staff are affected by these changes.
Changes related to Inmate Committees
The following policy was updated as part of the review process to better reflect the operations of inmate committees. All inmates and applicable staff are potentially affected by this policy.
Changes related to the Personal Property of Offenders
The following policy was updated to align with the Canadian Human Rights Act, pursuant to the coming into force of Bill C-16 on June 19, 2017, which, among other changes, added gender identity or expression as a prohibited ground of discrimination. All offenders, as well as staff involved with managing offender personal property are affected by this policy.
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Every three years since 1997, CSC voluntarily publishes a Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). The ninth edition of the strategy, for the 2023 to 2027 period, is now available and aligns with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2022 to 2026.
In the current DSDS, CSC has realigned its focus from exclusively environmental aspects to sustainable development decision-making including social and economic elements for the benefit of the current and future generation.
Learn more here:
Emerson Douyon Multiculturalism Award Recipient
Each year, the Emerson Douyon Multiculturalism award is presented to a CSC employee or community partner who has significantly contributed to the promotion of multiculturalism and diversity within CSC or the community. This year’s recipient, Diderot Roc, is a Correctional Officer from the Federal Training Centre in the Quebec Region. Diderot’s commitment to multiculturalism, respect, diversity and inclusion is exemplified by his involvement with Employment Equity and Diversity Committees and the Federal Training Centre’s Social Committee.
I encourage you to read more about Diderot and past recipients here:
2023 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award
Congratulations to Susan Haines, Executive Director of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ), for winning the 2023 Ed McIsaac Human Rights in Corrections Award. CSC has. appreciated the close collaboration with Susan over the years at the national level. Susan is also a longstanding volunteer at Millhaven Institution, among other volunteer roles within the corrections and conditional release system. Thanks to Susan for her leadership and dedication to social justice.
Celebrating Larry Motiuk
Larry Motiuk, Assistant Commissioner of Policy is retiring this month. Larry's career with CSC began in 1988, when he became the Service's first research officer who was hired from outside of the Service. As an employee of federal corrections, Larry has served as Associate Assistant Commissioner Policy, Special Advisor Transformation and Renewal, Director General Offender Programs and Reintegration and Director General Research. In addition, he has served as a scientific/visiting expert internationally.
Over the years, Larry and his teams’ hard work have made research a cornerstone of CSC. He is widely published on the topics of offender assessment and effective correctional programming. In 2019, he was the recipient of the ‘Research Award’ by the International Corrections and Prisons Association. As you can see, Larry has made a lasting impact and played a big part in establishing CSC as a leader in corrections on the world stage. We are appreciative of everything he has done, and he will be missed.
Communications Campaigns
Since the summer, CSC has launched a number of new dynamic digital campaigns, including “Back to Basics”, “Lift Me Up”, and there will soon be a new podcast “Prisons Inside Out”.
“Lift Me Up” highlights the remarkable work within CSC and all the individuals that are so important to the lives of those in our care and custody, and contributing to public safety. We encourage you to take the time to visit CSC’s website to see some of the wonderful stories being shared:
“Back to Basics” is a social media campaign that focuses on promoting awareness, sharing information and demystify misconceptions the general public may have about CSC. To get the latest communications and see what is being shared as part of the digital campaigns, you can follow CSC’s social media channels at:
Please do not hesitate to contact Citizen Engagement at engagementdescitoyens.gen-nhqcitizen@csc-scc.gc.ca if you have any questions, suggestions, or feedback. We are always looking to share good news stories about the work you are doing with us or may be aware of.
Commemorative dates and events
Whether it be for Pride Week, Truth and Reconciliation Day, Restorative Justice Week, Gender Equality Week, Human Rights Day, or any other commemorative date or event, CSC is proud to have all of you as a partner in our journey towards inclusiveness. These events are key to us taking the time to come together, reflect, acknowledge and contribute to what matters. I recognize that many of you participate in so many of the events that occur and want to thank you for your time and contribution.
In closing, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your unwavering and continued collaboration. I was so pleased this past year to get a chance to meet with many of you in person, as well as virtually. Our discussions are instrumental to CSC’s continued progress! Together, we have and will continue to reach milestones in the work that we do.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season and am looking forward to our continued collaboration in 2024!
Every job is a self-portrait of the person who did it. Autograph your work with excellence.
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