Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I find that I am becoming increasingly frustrated and concerned with the decisions that are coming out of the so-called justice system. Very recently I learned that a former government employee who pleaded guilty to stealing $271,000 from the Department of Social Services may actually serve less than a year in jail. I refer to the case of Diane Doyle, Mr. Speaker. Evidence before the court indicated that Ms. Doyle's theft was approximately 5.9 per cent of the total social assistance budget for her office.
Ms. Doyle was sentenced to a period of three years' incarceration but could become eligible for supervised day parole in six months. In fact, she is now able to receive regular passes for outings from the Women's Correctional Centre in Fort Smith, where she is presently incarcerated. Mr. Speaker, I find this incredible. This offender stole money that had been set aside to help people who, in the vast majority of cases, had no where else to turn. What is the deterrence of a sentence which punishes this magnitude of theft with less than a year in jail? During the sentencing hearing, it was stated that Ms. Doyle's motives were disgusting. According to the evidence placed before the court, she had been feeling burned out and cynical about the government. Apparently she felt as though her superiors were not listening to her suggestion for change and that her accomplishments were not being appreciated. A psychiatrist report stated that she had got herself into a habit of rewarding herself with presents when she believed she had done a good job. The presents, Mr. Speaker, were the amounts of money which she stole from the Department of Social Services.
Mr. Speaker, I believe that from time to time anyone has the potential to become frustrated or discouraged with their job. What kind of message does the Doyle sentence send to them?
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.