…. AND SO IS THE PURSUIT FOR THE LONG-PROMISED REVISION TO….
…Correctional Service of Canada, Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 022 – Media Relations
Three letters posted on January 30th addressed the delay in releasing the new prison policy on inmate contact with the media, a focus of this space many times over the last two years.
First, to the commissioner….
Anne Kelly, Commissioner,
National Headquarters, Correctional Service of Canada,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0P9
Dear Commissioner Kelly:
I ask you to review your February 24, 2020, letter to Correctional Investigator Dr. Ivan Zinger concerning the revision of Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 022 – Media Relations.
As you recall, Dr. Zinger pointed out that this CD may not follow the Charter and “recognized democratic principles” with respect to offender media contacts, as the OCI 2019-2020 Annual Report detailed. To quote from your February 24 letter, “We have reviewed the comments that you and your organization provided when CD 022 was distributed for external consultation on February 4, 2020. I am confident that you will find the revise version reflects the elements you raised in both your letter and during the consultation. We expect that the revised CD 022 will be available by the end of June 2020.”
Associate Assistant Commissioner Colette Cibula from the CSC Communications & Engagement office wrote me on February 8 of 2022 that the renewal of the directive “is now nearly complete……and are finalizing internal reviews before publishing it.” On June 27, Ms. Cibula wrote, “CD-022 is in the final stages of approval before being published.” Lastly, Ms. Cibula wrote again on July 28 to say, “I am happy to commit to you, Mr. Klassen, to share with you the CD directly once it is promulgated. In short order.”
Three years? That models a test of patience. When will we see a compliant media relations directive?
cc Colette Cibula. Associate Assistant Commissioner, Communications & Engagement
Copied also:-
The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety,
MP, Eglinton – Lawrence
The Honourable Marci Ien, Minister of Women & Gender Equality & Youth,
MP, Toronto Centre
The Honourable Senator Salma Ataullahjan, Chair,
The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights
The Honourable Senator Kim Pate
The Senate of Canada
Mr. Ron McKinnon, MP, Chair,
Standing Committee on Public Safety & National Security
Ms. Raquel Dancho, MP, Vice-Chair,
Standing Committee on Public Safety & National Security
Ms. Kristina Michaud, MP, Vice-Chair,
Standing Committee on Public Safety & National Security
Ms. Pam Damoff, MP, Parliamentary Secretary,
Minister of Public Safety
Mr. Shawn Tupper, Deputy Minister of Public Safety,
Public Safety Canada
Ms. Tricia Geddes, Associate Deputy Minister of Public Safety,
Public Safety Canada
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator,
The Office of the Correctional Investigator
Ms. Stacie Ogg, Deputy Director,
The Office of the Correctional Investigator
Catherine Latimer, Executive Director,
The John Howard Society of Canada
Mr. Patrick White,
The Globe and Mail, Toronto
Secondly, a cover letter went with Minister Mendicino’s copy:-
The Honourable Marco Mendicino,
Minister of Public Safety,
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Re: Correctional Service of Canada
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 022 – Media Relations
Dear Minister Mendicino:
I am a Liberal Party supporter, albeit an unhappy Liberal Party supporter. One leading irritation is my government’s minister’s readiness to sidestep accountability.
You or one of your senior staff would do well to remind CSC Commissioner Kelly that her prolonged delay in publishing the revised CD 022 while touting the importance of accountability and transparency within her Agency is a cloud over your ministry. This alone is my fourth prompt that the delay is untenable.
Minister, this begs the question that if doing the right thing here seems so easily dismissed, one might ask just how widespread this practice is?
Copied to:-
cc MPs Marci Ien/Ron McKinnon/Raquel Dancho/Kristina Michaud/Pam Damoff
Senators Salma Ataullahjan/Kim Pate
Public Safety Canada Shawn Tupper/Tricia Geddes
Thirdly was a cover letter added to the Correctional Investigator’s copy:-
January 30, 2023
Dr. Ivan Zinger, Correctional Investigator,
The Office of the Correctional Investigator,
Ottawa, ON K1P 6L4
Re: Correctional Service of Canada,
Commissioner’s Directive (CD) 022 – Media Relations
Dear Dr. Zinger:
No doubt your resources are stretched, and your patience constantly tested.
The delay in seeing the publication of the revised CD 022 must be among the many items on your follow-up list.
Is Commissioner Kelly unaware that refusing to release this update, three years after initiating the process, makes a lie of the Agency’s commitment to accountability and transparency?
I assume you message her often to that point.
cc Stacie Ogg, Deputy Director
To finish this with some whipped cream topped by a maraschino cherry, an access to information request asking for a copy of the new directive went to Correctional Service of Canada in Ottawa.
You’ve read it here before…..this isn’t going away.
turnoverarocktoday 