Thank you, Mr. Chairman. This is from the review of the 1995-96 capital estimates. The committee was, again, dismayed during our review to find that the Department of Justice had not prepared a five-year capital plan to lay out spending plans for corrections and other areas. While the Minister told the committee what targets had been laid out for the next five years by the FMB, committee Members cannot properly address this area without knowing what the department's spending priorities will be.
Recommendation 5
The Standing Committee on Finance recommends that the capital budget for the Department of Justice be presented to the House as part of consideration of the overall 1995-96 capital estimates.
It is also crucial that the Minister and the department develop a strategy for addressing correctional and other needs. This is an important part of government expenditures and should not be addressed in a haphazard manner. The committee looks forward to seeing what the department has planned in the way of strategy development.
Following the Minister's appearance, committee Members concluded that the following recommendations should be made to the department.
Recommendation 6
The Standing Committee on Finance recommends that the Department of Justice establish pilot projects in community-based corrections in their 1995-96 capital budget.
Recommendation 7
The Standing Committee on Finance recommends that the Department of Justice include a facility for violent young offenders in its five-year capital plan.
Recommendation 8
The Standing Committee on Finance recommends that the Department of Justice include a second women's correctional facility, preferably in Nunavut, in its five-year capital plan.
Committee Members also noted the Minister's discussion with the federal government regarding the establishment of a correctional facility for violent offenders, who would otherwise be incarcerated in southern institutions. The committee encourages the Minister to continue discussions with the federal government in this area.