Edmonton Remand Centre (February 22)
Mr. Hehr: Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Recently the deplorable state of Edmonton’s Remand Centre was highlighted in the legal decision Trang versus Alberta, Edmonton Remand Centre.
Clearly the commentary contained in this legal decision is a black mark on justice in Alberta. To the Solicitor General. This Queen’s Bench decision noted the inhumane conditions in Edmonton’s Remand Centre amounted to Charter of Rights and Freedoms violations. Accordingly, what is the Sol Gen doing to rectify these ongoing and persistent violations at the facility?
Mr. Oberle: Well, Mr. Speaker, the decision is not a black mark on justice in Alberta. It’s certainly a cause for concern in the operation of our corrections facility, namely the Edmonton Remand Centre, but it is not a black mark on justice in Alberta. I don’t accept that preamble at all.
Mr. Hehr: Black mark, cause for concern: tomayto, tomahto.
Mr. Speaker, the Alberta court noted that a major problem in Edmonton’s Remand Centre was overcrowding, overcrowding that still exists today. Given that the new remand centre is not to be finished until 2012, what interim measures are being introduced to address these issues?
Mr. Oberle: Well, Mr. Speaker, the decision in question is still, in fact, before the courts, and Alberta at this point has not decided whether or not to appeal the decision. However, I can tell the member that we have taken steps to resolve most of the issues in the judgment, and we’ll continue to work on it.
The Speaker: The hon. member.
Mr. Hehr: Well, thank you, Mr. Speaker. Despite what the Solicitor General says, we all know here that there are 800 inmates in the Edmonton Remand Centre at night. Really, that place is supposed to hold 500. What is he doing besides telling the House one thing when another situation exists? What is he really doing to rectify this ongoing Charter violation?
Mr. Oberle: I am and my department is working on resolving the issues within the Edmonton Remand Centre, and we’re quite busy constructing a new one if the hon. member would care to go for a little drive, Mr. Speaker.
Alberta Hansard, February 22, 2010