AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde on Auditor General’s Fall 2017 Report

OTTAWA – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde says the Auditor General of Canada’s fall 2017 report released on Nov. 22 shows that programs and services that are essential for the wellbeing and future of First Nations people are failing and immediate action is needed.

“Yesterday’s report by the Auditor General sets out findings that are consistent with First Nations experience. What we need now is to work together on a plan to address these critical problems, which are vital to the health and wellbeing of First Nations citizens,” said National Chief Bellegarde.

The report includes a chapter on Preparing Women Offenders for Release—Correctional Service Canada which notes among other findings that Correctional Service Canada (CSC) is using outdated or ineffective assessment tools, is not preparing women offenders for parole hearings, and is not meeting the rehabilitation needs of women offenders. It finds that Indigenous women offenders specifically do not have sufficient or timely access to correctional programs and interventions, especially culturally-based programs.

“The problems in correctional services are especially troubling given the vast over-representation of First Nations women in the justice system,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “The ongoing failures in CSC are further harming First Nations ...