Pensions for Inmates?

April 07, 2010

I have received many emails opposing federal monthly pension payments going to serial killer Clifford Olson as he serves a life sentence in federal prison.  Prime Minister Stephen Harper upon hearing of this vowed to "rectify the situation" and said:  "I think probably the reason this hasn't arisen before is these are unusual circumstances; it is not typical that we have senior citizens facing life incarceration. But obviously, this is a situation that has many, many Canadians upset and for good reason.”
 
The Prime Minister has instructed the Minister Of Human Resources and Skills Development, the Honourable Diane Finley”… to look at what options are available to this to rectify the situation because it should be rectified." Minister Finley has stated:  “We don’t think it is appropriate, and we want to prevent it from happening again.”

I am not certain that a pension benefit can be denied as it is a universal benefit.  If the benefit was removed, it could be challenged on its legality. However, considering many of our law-abiding seniors use their Old Age Security and Guaranteed Income Supplement to pay for a roof over their heads and meals on their table, I believe an inmate in a federal prison should not receive free room and board if they have a means to pay for it.

The average cost to keep a prisoner in a federal prison today is $120,000 per year.  In my view, it would be proper to have those that are incarcerated pay part of their costs for ‘room and board’ with the income they receive from government benefit plans. The Prime Minister has also committed to review this issue.

It has taken some time for our Government to turn the focus of justice from the offender’s rights to the rights of the victim. The former government, in my opinion, focused on offenders and this was wrong.  Our Government believes that when a citizen does not respect the laws of the land that protect their fellow citizens the offender, not the victim, should be held accountable.

Our Government’s new criminal justice bills have attempted to protect citizens from law breakers but as a minority government it has been an uphill battle.  I assure you, we will continue until changes are made to the criminal justice system.


Colin Mayes, MP
Okanagan - Shuswap