Saskatchewan’s minister in the federal Liberal government says things are likely to change in the future regarding the process of how prisoners are transferred to Indigenous healing lodges.
Controversy erupted recently after it was learned convicted child killer Terri-Lynne McClintic had been transferred to the Okimaw Ochi Healing Lodge near Maple Creek.
The Liberals have repeatedly said they will not interfere in the process of how Corrections Services Canada classifies the security risk of criminals or how they are transferred to various institutions.
However, Minister of Public Safety Ralph Goodale says what will likely change is how First Nations affected by these transfers will be consulted as part of the process.
“If it is a correctional facility operated by the Correctional Service of Canada, there may be in practice less consultation than if it were an Indigenous facility on contract with the Correctional Service of Canada,” he says. “My argument would be that there needs to be consultation in both cases.”
The Nekaneet First Nation, where the minimum and medium security correctional facility is located, says it was not notified that McClintic was being transferred there.
The Okimaw Ochi Healing Lodge is a correctional facility solely operated by CSC.
The Conservatives have been pressuring the Trudeau government to overrule CSC and transfer McClintic to a higher security prison.
She was convicted of first-degree murder in the 2009 death of eight-year-old Victoria (Tori) Stafford.
Goodale is the MP for Regina Wascana.
(PHOTO: Ralph Goodale. File photo.)