William D. Casey, M.P.

Cumberland Colchester

712 Confederation Building

House of Commons

Ottawa, ON  K1A 0A6

House of Commons

Chambre des communes

Canada

Press Release

Ottawa Tel: (613) 992-3366

Ottawa Fax: (613) 992-7220

Amherst Tel: (902) 667-8679

Truro Tel: (902) 893-2455

October 23, 2002

Ottawa - Bill Casey, Member of Parliament for Cumberland Colchester, and Peter MacKay, Member of Parliament for Antigonish Guysborough, today raised the issue of telemarketing by inmates in Canada’s Correctional Institutions.  Casey referred to information that he had received over the weekend that there was a telemarketing scheme operating out of Westmorland Institution selling vacations. 

Casey raised the issue that it was inappropriate for convicted inmates to have access to names, addresses, phone numbers, credit cards numbers and shockingly under this particular program, when people would be away on holiday.  In response, the new Solicitor General, the Honourable Wayne Easter, first stated there was nothing wrong with these programs and that the issue had been fully addressed.  However, after question period, he rose on a Point of Order and stated that, in fact, all telemarketing schemes had now been suspended.  Casey raised the issue originally because teaching positions at correctional facilities, that help inmates develop skills for integration back into society, are being terminated.  The Department has suggested that telemarketing programs also help inmates integrate back into society.  Casey believes that this practice is highly inappropriate and puts Canadians at risk. 

- 30 -

For more information:

Bill Casey, MP

Cumberland Colchester

(613) 992-3366,  (902) 667-8679,  (902) 893-2455