Feds accept AG report recommendations on improving Canada's prisons, veterans' benefits | FULL

Canadian federal ministers responded to the auditor-general’s report on Tuesday that highlighted systemic barriers for vulnerable groups to access government benefits, as well as over-representation of Black and Indigenous inmates in correctional facilities.

Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould “accepted” the report’s findings regarding access barriers to government benefits by hard-to-reach groups, such as Indigenous people.

She said the government launched the “Reaching All Canadians” initiative that uses “data-driven interventions” to eliminate barriers for vulnerable populations to access supports, such as proactive mail-outs, call campaigns, language changes on application forms and partnerships with community groups.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino acknowledged systemic barriers to Black and Indigenous inmates' reintegration into society.

“Our government is committed to a correctional system that is safe, equitable and free of systemic racism and discrimination. The system must support the rehabilitation of offenders and pave the way for their reintegration into our communities,” he said.

He added he has directed CSC commissioner to create a new position for a deputy commissioner for indigenous corrections. The role will ensure indigenous issues in the correctional system are addressed, including the over-representation of indigenous offenders highlighted in AG’s report.

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