Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, last session, during the month of March, I posed many questions to the Minister of Justice, regarding the River Ridge facility in Fort Smith, better know as the young offenders'
secure facility. Mr. Speaker, we all know the Minister designated this facility as a triple designated facility. What was once known to staff as a secure facility, is now a facility for open custody of young offenders. In addition, it is a facility to hold remanded young offenders.
Mr. Speaker, last spring I was extremely concerned regarding the Minister's decision to designate such a facility as a triple designated facility. I was concerned because under the federal legislation, the Canada Corrections Act, looks after young offenders who commit serious crimes, such as murders. I was concerned because the Young Offenders' Act, under territorial legislation, looks after crimes such as break and enters, liquor offences and minor crimes. So one facility was deemed to be responsible to look after different types of young offenders who commit different types of crimes.
Mr. Speaker, on April 1, I compromised with the Minister's decision, even though I didn't agree with that. He knew triple designation of a facility was not intended, in any way, shape or form, to look after open custody. The only way I allowed myself to compromise is because the Minister made a commitment to provide a report to this House on the facility, which I quote from, April 1, "I will be very pleased to provide a written report in October to show the Members that things are going very well, and will continue to go very well as planned." To date, I have been waiting very patiently for this report the Minister promised to provide. In fact, I even mentioned it in private a few times to the Minister -- I am still waiting for his report.
Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to continue with my statement.