Mr. Speaker, I am here to speak to the question of privilege that was raised yesterday by my colleague, the member for Kamloops—Thompson—Nicola and shadow minister for public safety.

It is my responsibility to ensure the well-being of Canadians, including those behind prison walls, so why was I stymied from entering the Fraser Valley women's prison freely this past summer? What are they hiding behind those walls?

As their representative in Parliament, it is my duty, not a courtesy or a request, to verify first-hand that incarcerated women, many of whom are dealing with mental illness, abuse and trauma, are being treated humanely and with dignity. Parliament gave me this responsibility because oversight matters. It is one of the few safeguards we have for ensuring the state does not abuse its power behind locked doors.

When I am blocked from fulfilling my role, it is not just an inconvenience; it is an abuse of power. It strips vulnerable women of their voice and strips the public of their right to know what is being done in their name with their tax dollars under the banner of justice. Denying elected officials access to see how inmates are treated without the filter of management is a serious breach of trust. If I can be shut out, then so can accountability, and when transparency dies, abuse thrives.

I rise today to bring to the attention of the House this very serious breach of privilege by Corrections Canada.

On July 28, I attended the Fraser Valley Institution, a women's prison in the Abbotsford region, with the intention of fulfilling what I feel is my most important duty as a member of Parliament: to ensure that all Canadians, including those in federal custody, are treated with dignity, care and humanity. Unfortunately, that oversight was aggressively and intentionally obstructed.

When I arrived with my colleague, the shadow minister for public safety, we were told that our tour would be accompanied by Mr. Chris Szafron, the assistant warden of management services. My colleague and I clearly explained that we wished to tour with only uniformed correctional officers so that inmates and staff would feel free to speak openly with us. We made it clear that the presence of senior management would inhibit transparency and hinder trust. However, Mr. Szafron refused. He insisted on joining the tour, dismissing our concerns by saying, “No one will know who I am. I'm just a guy in a polo shirt.” I disagreed. Inmates and staff definitely know who the assistant warden is.

We asked who had instructed him to impose this condition, and he claimed that it came from the warden directly. We then asked to speak with the warden ourselves, but we were told that she was unavailable. We asked for a phone call. We were refused. We asked if our safety was at risk, and he said no. We asked again if we could proceed with the uniformed officers already present. Again, he said no, and all the while his tone was aggressive, his posture was intimidating and his behaviour was wholly inappropriate.

The correctional officers who accompanied us appeared shocked, and I do not blame them, because what occurred that day was an intentional act to prevent members of Parliament from doing their job. The message from Mr. Szafron, and by extension his superiors, was chillingly clear: “You are not welcome to conduct oversight here.”

I left that day with deep concern not only for the staff and inmates, who may be subjected to this kind of culture of intimidation, but also for the integrity of our role as parliamentarians. When management closes ranks and bars elected officials from seeing behind those doors, the natural question is, what are they trying to hide?

As a woman, I was particularly taken aback by the condescension and lack of respect shown to me throughout this encounter. However, more than that, I was outraged on behalf of the women inside that facility, who may not have anyone else to speak for them and who are now being denied even that.

In summary, the assistant warden of the Fraser Valley Institution, under direct instruction from the warden, obstructed and interfered with my ability to carry out my duty as a parliamentarian. That amounts to a breach of the established privilege to be free from obstruction, interference and intimidation.

My colleague, who explained yesterday how this behaviour interfered with his parliamentary work in the House and at committee this autumn, has already proposed a motion to refer this to the Standing Committee on Procedure and House Affairs. I add my voice to that call.

Our duty as members of Parliament is clear. We do not turn a blind eye. We do not look the other way. We show up, and we insist on accountability, even behind prison walls.

Tamara Jansen

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