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

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Auditor report shuts down telemarketing program in prisons

Casey’s questions remain unanswered

October 30, 2002

Ottawa - Bill Casey, MP for Cumberland Colchester again questioned the Solicitor General of Canada today regarding a telemarketing program that was being operated out of Westmoreland Institution by inmates.

Casey first raised the issue during Question Period on October 10, 2002.  On October 12, 2002 KPMG Forensics performed and audit and submitted a written report to Corrections Canada.  The telemarketing program was then shut down on October 15, 2002.  Further, inmates were calling residents of Idaho and Washington and would introduce themselves as representatives of a Washington based company.  Casey pressed for a copy of the KPMG Forensic Report to be tabled in the House of Commons immediately.

Casey is concerned international regulations may have been broken by the telemarketing project and questioned the Solicitor General if Corrections Canada received prior approval from the Attorney Generals in Idaho and Washington to implement this program.  More importantly, he is concerned that American citizens who were contacted through the program may be at risk, as their personal information has been compromised due to a security failure. 

Casey says, “The Government of Canada should not be involved in any telemarketing programs that involve foreign countries.”

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For further information:

Bill Casey, M.P.

Cumberland Colchester

(613) 992-3366