National Joint Committee of Senior Criminal Justice Officials Annual Report 2007-2008
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Table of contents
Message from the Chair
I am pleased to present the annual report of the National Joint Committee of Senior Criminal Justice Officials (NJC) for the 2007‑08 fiscal year. This report describes the major activities and achievements of the NJC and its regional committees (Maritimes, Quebec, Ontario, Prairies and Pacific).
Every year, the NJC holds two national meetings, while the chairs of the regional committees hold 30 or so meetings throughout the country’s five regions. A wide variety of issues are discussed, such as: organized crime, street crimes, street gangs, aboriginal issues, high‑risk offenders, child abuse, victims’ rights and the sex offender registry. Time and time again, NJC regional committees invite representatives of their respective communities to take part in these discussions.
We hold the national meeting in May in one of the five regions, while the November meeting is usually held in Ottawa, so that more representatives from Public Safety Canada are able to attend. Our semi‑annual meeting in Winnipeg on May 10-11, 2007 was entitled "Working Together to Prevent Gang-Related Crime". The meeting, which enabled a broad-based discussion of the issue, represents a further step in the development of programs and services needed to address issues such as offender management, long-term supervision orders and crime prevention.
The meeting in Ottawa on February 7-8, 2008 was focused on the issues related to justice witnesses. More than 50 participants from national, provincial and local governments, as well as criminal justice communities, discussed national and provincial programs offered to collaborators of justice.
The success of the NJC has always been attributable to the dedication and participation of our members. During the last years of my mandate as Chair of the NJC, I have had the pleasure and opportunity to work with members of both the national and regional committees, who have given me every reason to be confident that the NJC has made a valuable contribution to the criminal justice system. As I look forward to the upcoming year, and the work yet to be accomplished by the NJC, I am certain that it can continue to be a driving force in the criminal justice system for years to come.
The current Government has reiterated that the safety of its citizens is a fundamental objective. NJC will help to fulfill this mandate by facilitating the dialog among criminal justice professionals regarding law enforcement and legislation, and by focusing on crime prevention. I am confident that our upcoming meetings will explore a variety of issues concerning the public safety community and will build on the success of the past years.
The mental health issue is a major preoccupation not only for the Government of Canada but also for criminal justice officials. Effective supervision of paroled offenders in the community and concerted efforts among stakeholders towards better reintegration of paroled offenders back into society are of outmost importance to NJC. The semi-annual spring meeting that will take place in Fredericton in 2009 will address these issues.
In conclusion, I would like to thank all NJC Regions for their significant contribution to the criminal justice community and the safety of all Canadians.
Mr. Pierre Sangollo, President
National Joint Committee of Senior Criminal Justice Officials
Background information
The National Joint Committee of Senior Criminal Justice Officials was established in 1973 under the joint auspices of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Parole Board.
The original purpose of the Committee was to improve communication, understanding and cooperation among police and corrections officials. Its founding members were senior police officers representing the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP), RCMP, and officials from NPB. Later, the Committee expanded to include the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), the Canadian Association of Crown Counsel (CACC) and representation from the First Nation Association of Chiefs of Police.
NJC establishes and maintains efficient and effective mechanisms of communication and consultation between the police, CSC, NPB, the Canadian Association of Crown Counsel (CACC), the First Nation Association of Chiefs of Police and other agencies which are part of the criminal justice system.
The NJC works in partnership with governments and all agencies and services in the provision of advice on any matter referred to the Committee by these governments, agencies and services.
Today, NJC is a uniquely coast-to-coast forum that brings together representatives from Public Safety Canada, the Department of Justice (DOJ), CSC, provincial Crowns, police and the NPB. NJC is also the sole criminal justice forum in Canada that engages people who are active in the operational administering of criminal justice and represents governments, non-governmental organizations and other criminal justice players in a discussion about the system.
Highlights from the semi-annual national meeting
Working Together to Prevent Gang-Related Crime
Winnipeg, May 10-11, 2007
The Manitoba meeting focused on gang-related crime and gang prevention More that 40 participants represented the national, provincial and local governments and criminal justice communities.
According to Statistics Canada’s homicide survey the number of gang-related incidents increased from 3% in 1991 to 16% in 2005. However, gang activities and prevention programs have been rarely evaluated.
There are numerous approaches to prevent this complex, multi-faceted problem both inside and outside the correctional institutions. For example, the Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP) program calls for community mobilization, social intervention, provision of opportunities, suppression, and organizational change and development. Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T) is school–based classroom curriculum delivered by police officers, and is based on the Drug Awareness Resistance and Education (D.A.R.E) model. Multisystemic Therapy (MST) is a family-based treatment that addresses the known determinants of serious anti-social behaviour in adolescents and their families.
Eradication of gang phenomenon in correctional institutions is a complex problem requiring a range of responses. Members of criminal organizations inside the institutions (e.g. the Indian Posse, Manitoba Warriors, Zig Zag Crew, the Native Syndicate) defy the correctional system and endanger the security of the institutions. Some correctional institutions liaise with law enforcement to collect, evaluate and analyze preventative security information and intelligence.
Prosecuting cases under the Gang legislation requires complex analysis and risk assessment. It might complicate the case and increase defense resistance. However, it is a useful tool if used appropriately.
Youth gang intervention programs seek to eliminate criminal attitudes, and enhance personal motivation, self-confidence, and the ability to change. These programs recognize the recipients’ cultural and family values and strive to minimize the criminal pride and behaviour.
Justice witnesses: Expectations/Reality
Ottawa, February 7-8, 2008
During this two-day event, more than 50 participants representing the criminal justice community discussed the issues related to justice witnesses.
Nationally the Witness Protection Program Act regulates protection of persons who directly or indirectly assist in law enforcement activities. However, various jurisdictions have their own programs for collaborators of justice. For example, Manitoba’s witness protection program was established in 2002 in response to threats to witnesses in criminal prosecutions who fell outside the parameters of the federal witness protection program. The initial program became the High Risk Witness Management Program and was legislated in 2005 as the Witness Security Act. To date, the program has provided witness security services to 118 people, 80 of whom were witnesses, the remainder being associates or family members of the witness who were also assessed to be at risk.
Manitoba’s Act is focused on: codifying the parameters of protection, the acceptance/rejection processes and criteria, and the services and responsibilities of both Public Safety Canada and persons admitted into the Witness Security Program. The Act recognizes the guidelines and limitations of the federal witness protection program and the need for witness protection for candidates who do not qualify for the federal program. In 2005, British Columbia developed a cost- effective, accountable and well-organized provincial Witness Protection Program that links RCMP with the local police forces. In 2007, the province of Quebec established the Harmonization Committee on Police Practices in Regards to Witness Protection that standardize police practices in dealing with collaborators of justice.
CSC faces numerous challenges while dealing with protected witnesses. For example:
- Individual police agencies have varying protocols and management techniques for protected witnesses.
- At any given time a protected witness may be managed at or transferred between any one of 100+ institutions or community offices.
- Conflicts can arise between CSC’s case management mandate and responsibility to the offender, and the police agency mandate and responsibility to that individual as a protected witness.
- Transfers of offenders require an exchange of sensitive information within the CSC.
CSC currently has in place a secure intelligence network (SINet) that:
- allows all protected witness files to be managed electronically;
- eliminates the need of risky transfer of hard files between sites;
- provides access to all information by both the managing Intelligence Officer and the NHQ Manager responsible for protected witnesses.
Regional NJC highlights
Atlantic region
Chair: Pierre Castonguay
The executive committee of NJC Atlantic met by telephone conference during recent months, planning the semi-annual national meeting held June 5-6, 2008 in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
The executive committee members of 2007-2008 consisted of the following individuals:
- Pierre Castonguay, NJC Atlantic Chair, Office of the NB Attorney General
- Ed Huzulak, Bathurst Regional Police Force
- Gil Rhodes, Correctional Service of Canada
- Brian Chase, National Parole Board
- Stan MacDonald, Public Prosecution Services Canada
A number of long-standing members and past chairs have retired from the NJC committee due to recent promotions. I would like to take this opportunity to thank each of the following former members for their significant contribution to the NJC Atlantic regional group and wish them the best in their new endeavors.
Edgar MacLeod, past Chair and former Chief of the Cape Breton Regional Police, is now the Executive Director of the Atlantic Police Academy.
James Martin, past Chair, Crown Prosecutor, Public Prosecution Services Canada, is now the Acting Atlantic Director, Public Prosecution Services Canada.
Marvin McNutt, member, Director of Adult Corrections and Communication Services Newfoundland, is now ADM, Public Protection and Support Services, Nfld.
It is obvious that with the departure of such long-standing and significant contributors to NJC Atlantic, there is a need to recruit new members throughout the Atlantic region. This process has already begun with some renewed interest during the planning of the semi-annual conference in Fredericton. It is expected that the momentum gained during that time will carry us forward as we strive to create partnerships among the participants in the criminal justice system.
Quebec region
Chair: Didier Deramond
The Committee met four times in 2007-08, including the year’s first meeting in May 2007, and heard excellent presentations from the various committee organizations in the Quebec Region. The first meeting was held in the Outaouais region, at the Four Points Hotel in Gatineau, during the Committee’s visit to the region. Committee members and guests (50 people), officials from the various committee organizations in this region, attended a presentation on home invasions — innocent victims of offences presentation by Ms. Simon and Ms.Rioux, Direction de la prévention et de la lutte contre la criminalité, Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec. Officials also attended a presentation on street gangs by Mario Fournier, Division du renseignement, Service de police de la Ville de Montréal, and a presentation on the Act respecting the Quebec correctional system by Nicole Quesnel and Denis Pelletier, Direction de l’implantation de la loi, Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec. These presentations were very much appreciated and answered the various questions raised during discussions at previous meetings. They also confirmed that keeping the lines of communication open between various groups is critical.
During the meetings that followed, the members discussed updating the working group’s reference paper on managing justice witnesses, the 2008 action plan/committee priorities and the symposium on battling intimidation—partners in law enforcement to be held at the Château Frontenac in Quebec City from October 19 to 21, 2008. The entire Quebec Region Committee is involved in planning and developing the national symposium with the NJC. Preparations for plenary sessions and workshops are underway.
Updating the FPS was also discussed at a number of our meetings, as this was a dominant issue in several of our organizations.
Other current issues discussed at length were long-term supervision cases and the application of section 810.
At the November 2007 meeting, members marked the departure of Marcel Lamoureux, Direction générale des services correctionnels, Ministère de la Sécurité publique du Québec, and Denis Martel, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). They also welcomed Johanne Beausoleil, Direction générale des services correctionnels, and Bernard Lemieux, RCMP.
Marie-Andrée Trudeau will also be joining the Committee, as the representative for the Commission québécoise des libérations conditionnelles.
In addition, Mario Gisondi, Committee Chair since 2004, announced that he is leaving the Committee. The Vice‑Chair nominated Didier Deramond as the new Chair and the motion was seconded by Lise Bouthillier and Gilles Martin. The Committee will mark Mr.Gisondi’s departure in the next fiscal year. In addition, Claude Girard, the representative of the Canadian Association of Crown Counsel since 2001, is leaving the Committee. Sabin Ouellette, Chief Prosecutor, Bureau des services extérieurs, de la sécurité et du développement, Direction des poursuites criminelles et pénales du Québec, will join the Committee in April 2008.
During the last meeting of the year on January 25, 2008, members reviewed the past year, discussed forecasts and the regional meeting planned for 2008‑09. There was also a follow‑up on the preparations for the symposium.
Ontario region
Chair: Mike Federico
NJC Ontario Region routinely holds two meetings a year, usually in the spring and the fall. In 2007, it held its spring meeting in April, in Toronto; however, instead of holding a fall meeting, members attended the national meeting in Ottawa, February 7, 2008, and took part in some of the presentations.
Zone 3 of the Ontario Region held its annual conference on November 1, 2007, entitled “School and Workplace Shooters -- the Community Threat”. The conference featured Toronto Police Service Sgt. Frank O’Doherty of the Officer Safety Section who discussed concepts, tactics, training, and use of force in school/workplace shooting incidents. Also presenting was FBI Supervisory Special Agent Shawn VanSlyke, the Program Manager for the Domestic Terrorism, Workplace Violence and School Violence programs of the Behavioural Analysis Unit, National Center for the Analysis of Violence. He discussed threat and risk assessments of school/workplace violence at both the individual and institutional levels.
Zone 3 includes the police forces of Barrie, Cobourg, Durham Region, Kawartha Lakes, Midland, Peterborough, Peel Region, Toronto, York Region, a number of Ontario Provincial Police Districts, and several RCMP detachments. Also represented are the Crown Attorney’s Association, Ontario Ministry of Community Safety and Security, the Ontario Parole and Earned Releases Board, Correctional Service of Canada and the National Parole Board.
For some time, the NJC Ontario Region has supported the need for an agreement between police and correctional agencies in Ontario to cover the release of information, particularly about victims and witnesses. The matter was referred to the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP), and at its annual general meeting (June 22, 2005) the OACP adopted Resolution 2005–02, Disclosure of Police Records to Corrections and Parole Authorities. To move the matter forward, the Committee met with the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) where it was agreed that, while changes to the regulations of the Police Services Act (PSA) were pursued, an All Chiefs’ Memo would be issued to encourage compliance among police services Ontario-wide (ref: Nov 24, ’05 minutes).
In May of 2006, a comprehensive package, including an appropriately worded All Chiefs’ Memo, was produced and expected to be distributed that year. The package explained a Chief’s authorities when considering the release of information about victims and witnesses, and the Ministry believed the package would provide Chiefs of Police with the reassurances they sought. But to ensure the memo fully conformed with the spirit and the letter of privacy legislation, the MCSCS referred the matter to the Privacy Commissioner. At its November meeting, the Committee was told that the Privacy Commissioner found the memo a risk to privacy and refused endorsement. Without the Privacy Commissioner’s approval, the MCSCS believed it was not able to release the memo. Members of the Committee met with the Ministry who advised they were redrafting the memo in a way they hoped would meet the Privacy Commissioner’s approval. Developments are still underway and the Ontario Region will provide updates.
CSC in Ontario has established a liaison program with local police to help manage offenders serving their sentences in the community on conditional release. The program allows for a police officer to work on-site at a CSC community facility, and to provide information and advice between the police and CSC. The police officer is seconded to CSC and the salaries of the police officers are paid by CSC. The benefits of this arrangement include the timely exchange of information and a prompt police response when needed. Currently, a police officer is working with CSC in Hamilton. The same arrangement started in Ottawa and Kingston in April, and in Toronto in June.
The liaison program is receiving favourable reports and the initiative promises to further improve offender-management especially when combined with the All Chiefs Memo by promoting a freer exchange of information between police and correctional and parole authorities, province-wide.
In 2000, the NJC Ontario Region published a handbook for police officers “intended as a rapid reference resource on conditional release of adult offenders, federal and provincial, within the Ontario Region (NJC Ontario Region Police Handbook, 2)”. The booklet has been updated and throughout 2007 was distributed to police services in Ontario.
Prairie region
The NJC Prairie Region Committee is pleased to report District Chairs have been established in Edmonton, Calgary, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, The Pas, Brandon and Winnipeg. In addition, discussions are currently underway to incorporate Districts in Yellowknife, NWT and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The Pas, Brandon and Winnipeg Districts have generated the most activity, as they are conducting regularly scheduled meetings and annually host one major conference. Staff Sergeant Dave Mancini, Mr. Brian Mcvicar and Ms. Pam Gardiner are a credit to their Districts and have significantly contributed to the development of the NJC in Manitoba.
Twenty-five justice officials from the Prairie Region attended a spring meeting, which was held in Saskatoon, on March 27 and 28, 2008. This meeting’s theme was centered on the 2006 National “What Works Conference.” We attempted to revisit the strategies presented at the conference to control violent offenders living in our communities, and put the strategies into practice in the Prairie Region. Agency representatives were present from the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The introduction of the National Flagging Coordinator to our NJC Committee generated healthy discussion, as many of our representatives were not aware of the work being done by that office.
In 2007, Mr. Wayne Michaluk, NJC Prairie Regional Vice Chair, revised the Prairie Region’s Federal-Provincial Corrections and Conditional Release Handbook, and coordinated its distribution throughout the Region. In addition to the printed booklet, an electronic version has been forwarded to all police agencies for inclusion into their databanks. It is anticipated more booklets will be required as we move through 2008.
Clearly, the Prairie Region of the NJC is on track to establishing and maintaining communication between justice agencies, which includes: identifying emerging trends; and sharing information, best practices and innovative strategies within our jurisdiction. The arrival of new Districts and the anticipated additional activity occurring in the established Districts will put some pressure on our travel and conference budget. However, the guidance being received from the national office will allow our region to overcome that potential obstacle.
Pacific region
Chair: Doug LePard
The NJC Prairie Region Committee is pleased to report District Chairs have been established in Edmonton, Calgary, Prince Albert, Saskatoon, Regina, The Pas, Brandon and Winnipeg. In addition, discussions are currently underway to incorporate Districts in Yellowknife, NWT and Thunder Bay, Ontario.
The Pas, Brandon and Winnipeg Districts have generated the most activity, as they are conducting regularly scheduled meetings and annually host one major conference. Staff Sergeant Dave Mancini, Mr. Brian Mcvicar and Ms. Pam Gardiner are a credit to their Districts and have significantly contributed to the development of the NJC in Manitoba.
Twenty-five justice officials from the Prairie Region attended a spring meeting, which was held in Saskatoon, on March 27 and 28, 2008. This meeting’s theme was centered on the 2006 National “What Works Conference.” We attempted to revisit the strategies presented at the conference to control violent offenders living in our communities, and put the strategies into practice in the Prairie Region. Agency representatives were present from the Correctional Service of Canada, the National Parole Board and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The introduction of the National Flagging Coordinator to our NJC Committee generated healthy discussion, as many of our representatives were not aware of the work being done by that office.
In 2007, Mr. Wayne Michaluk, NJC Prairie Regional Vice Chair, revised the Prairie Region’s Federal-Provincial Corrections and Conditional Release Handbook, and coordinated its distribution throughout the Region. In addition to the printed booklet, an electronic version has been forwarded to all police agencies for inclusion into their databanks. It is anticipated more booklets will be required as we move through 2008.
Clearly, the Prairie Region of the NJC is on track to establishing and maintaining communication between justice agencies, which includes: identifying emerging trends; and sharing information, best practices and innovative strategies within our jurisdiction. The arrival of new Districts and the anticipated additional activity occurring in the established Districts will put some pressure on our travel and conference budget. However, the guidance being received from the national office will allow our region to overcome that potential obstacle.
Membership
The Pacific regional committee's executive has representation from municipal police and RCMP, the National Parole Board, Crown, Provincial Corrections and the Correctional Service of Canada. There are five zones in B.C. and the Yukon. They are the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, the Interior, Northern and Fraser Valley. These zone committees are all well represented by criminal justice personnel. In all, the Pacific regional committee membership is composed of representatives from the following organizations:
- B.C. Ministry of Attorney General
- Police Services (Vancouver, Abbotsford, Oak Bay, RCMP)
- Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
- Community Corrections Division, Government of British Columbia
- National Parole Board
- Correctional Service of Canada
- International Centre for Criminal Law Reform and Criminal Justice Policy
National Joint Committee business plan 2005-2008
Objective I
To maintain an efficient and effective mechanism of information sharing and communication among criminal justice partners.
Activities
- Identify and review emerging trends and issues of mutual concern to all sectors of the criminal justice system.
- Share information on best practices and innovative strategies in the criminal justice system including related crime prevention measures.
Outputs
- Two semi-annual national meetings
- Regional meetings in all five regions of the country (Atlantic, Quebec, Ontario, Prairie and Pacific)
- Local/zone workshops held across the country
- Developing a communications strategy for the Police Officers' Handbooks on Corrections and Conditional Release
- National members belonging to a regional committee for better flow of information
- A yearly self-evaluation of NJC activities to determine whether the committee is meeting identified objectives
- Develop a comprehensive work-plan
Objective II
Enhance consultations and the advisory role of the Committee within federal, provincial and territorial governments on issues pertaining to policing, prosecutions, corrections, and parole.
Activities
- Work in partnership with all levels of government, agencies and services to provide advice on any matter referred to the Committee.
Outputs
- Invite stakeholders to participate at meetings and to make presentations on their issues and initiatives as they relate to criminal justice;
- Invite stakeholders to participate at meetings and to make presentations on their issues and initiatives as they relate to criminal justice;
- Develop a strategy to feed into the policy development process.
Objective III
Enhance relationships among member organizations and the Criminal Justice Community to establish clear links for coordination and consultation.
Activities
- Develop communication initiatives to facilitate cooperation among the components of the criminal justice system.
Outputs
- Wide distribution of annual report;
- Distribute Annual Report to senior federal and provincial government officials;
- Launch a NJC internet site;
- Improve relationship between regional and national committees -- better flow of information and improved participation;
- Improve method used to bring emerging issues to the attention of key players in the criminal justice system;
- Better forecasting of workshop activity; and,
- Develop a communication strategy.
National Joint Committee membership
Chair
Pierre Sangollo
National Project Manager – Public Safety
A/Director General Security
Correctional Service of Canada |
PS
Mary Campbell
Director General
Corrections and Criminal Justice Directorate |
Vice-chair
- Simonne Ferguson
Regional Director
National Parole Board
Ontario Region
|
National Parole Board
- Simonne Ferguson
Regional Director
National Parole Board
Ontario Region
- Françoise Girard
Executive Director
Ontario Region
|
National coordinator – NJC
- Dariusz Galczynski
National Coordinator
Corrections Research
Public Safety Canada
|
Royal Canadian Mounted Police
- Darrell J. LaFosse
Assistant Commissioner
Community, Contract and
Aboriginal Policing Services
|
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police
- Chief Constable Ian Mackenzie
Abbotsford Police Department for the Pacific Region
- Vacancy
Ottawa Police Department for the Ontario Region
- Chief Edward N. Huzulak for the Maritime Region Bathurst City Police
- Chef inspecteur Gilles Martin for the Quebec Region
Sureté du Québec
- Hal Zorn
Regina Police Service for the Prairie Region
|
Correctional Service of Canada
- Michel Laprade
Legal Services Unit
- Pierre Sangollo
National Project Manager – Public Safety
A/Director General, Intelligence
- Denis Méthé
Deputy Commissioner
- Ross Toller
Assistant CommissionerCommunity Operations Program
|
Canadian Association of Crown Counsel
- Claude Girard
President
Canadian Association of Crown Counsel
- Eric Woodburn
Public Prosecution Service
- Steve Fudge
Crown Counsel
|
Department of Justice
- Catherine Kane
Senior Counsel/Director
Policy Centre for Victim Issues
- Nancy Irving
Senior Counsel
Strategic Operation Section
Justice Canada
|
First Nations Chief of Police
- J. Brian Rupert
Chief of Police
Treaty Three Police Service
|
Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics
- John Turner
Chief
Policing Services
Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics
|
Regional chairs
- Pacific
Deputy Chief LePard
Vancouver Police Department
- Atlantic
Pierre Castonguay
Public Prosecutions
|
Regional chairs
- Ontario
Supt. Mike Federico
Toronto Police Service
- Quebec
Didier Deramond
Service de police de la Ville de Montréal
- Prairies
Supt. Hal Zorn
Regina Police Service
|