The CAC Mission Statement

Citizens' Advisory Committees, through voluntary participation in the Canadian federal correctional process, contribute to the public safety by actively interacting with staff of the Correctional Service of Canada, the public and offenders, providing impartial advice and recommendations, thereby contributing to the quality of the correctional process.

Understanding the CAC Mission

This Mission statement is the precise and agreed-upon statement that encapsulates the reason for our existence. It describes our function - our primary thrust. It is the public description of what we are all about. But it goes well beyond that. This Mission identifies the common purpose and commitment each of us is called upon to take on as a member of this organization.

The CAC Mission describes not simply what we are, but also, what we seek to become, what we believe we can achieve together. Its purpose is to serve as a guide for establishing our priorities and progressing in our work. It is to provide a clear sense of direction to each member of each Citizens' Advisory Committee, and to enable each of us to understand better how our participation contributes to the achievement of our common goals and objectives.

Our ability to fulfil this Mission will affect the quality of the federal correctional process, and life in our society. The CAC Mission, therefore, merits the commitment of each one of us, joined together in a common and worthy purpose.

It is important that all CAC members, and those we serve, clearly understand each aspect of the CAC Mission. The following helps clarify the key terms in CAC Mission.

Citizens

We believe in the right of all citizens to become informed participants in the correctional process, contributing to the quality of the process and of the decisions made within it.

Citizens' Advisory Committees have the responsibilities of representing the views of the community and contributing to the public's understanding of the correctional process. We do that, in part, by representing a cross-section of the community, and being informed participants in the correctional process. We should also realize that to be effective, the values that guide our actions should be consistent with those of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act.

Public safety, access to needed services, security, justice, fairness, and the rights, freedoms and responsibilities of citizenship are some of the fundamental social values which we seek to promote, be they related to offenders in the correctional system or citizens in our communities.

Advisory

Citizens' Advisory Committees provide objective, impartial, and timely advice on issues related to the federal correctional process and its impact on the community. This is our principal instrument of influence within the correctional system and in our communities.

As is stressed in so many other sections of this manual, we must constantly seek a balance between the safety and protection of society, and the rights and freedoms of the individual. This requires a commitment to the values listed above and to the personal dignity of the individual. It also requires that we be sensitive to the continuing evolution of Canadian society.

Committee

An effective Citizens' Advisory Committee is one that focuses on values and vision - all members working together toward advancing the Mission of our system. Committees are used for decision-making, sharing information and providing face-to-face interaction among our members.

Working as a team is an important aspect of CAC work. This means taking pride in the integrity, commitment, knowledge and skills that each member brings toward achieving the objectives of the Citizens' Advisory Committee. This collective professionalism will earn and retain the confidence and respect of the Correctional Service of Canada and the general community.

The regional and national executive committees of the CAC system are mandated to help local CACs' work with commonality of purpose. They will support and encourage all kinds of creative approaches to our work but will seek to ensure that the fundamental principles embodied in our mission and goals continue to be the central guiding force for CACs throughout the country.

True autonomy also involves risk-taking. CAC members should feel supported to take important stands that could seem to be unpopular. Committee members should always be encouraged to think independently, to be faithful to their own ideas, and to act with integrity.

Impartial

Issues affecting the safety of the public, justice, and the rights and freedoms of individuals are of great interest to all. We must constantly be aware of, and seek a balance between these issues. We must be viewed as being impartial by all those concerned, namely the correctional staff, the public, and offenders. Our only bias is our dedication to advancing the quality of our correctional service for the benefit of Canadians.

Understanding our Goals

Every individual CAC throughout Canada is responsible for planning the specifics its own work but every committee across the country strives towards the same goals and objectives broadly described in our mission statement. These goals provide guidance for today, and a focus for meeting the challenges of tomorrow.

Our Six Goals

1. To contribute to the overall development of correctional facilities and programs by serving as impartial advisors to the facility's management, staff and offenders;
2. To promote public knowledge and understanding of corrections through communication among offenders, CSC staff and the public;
3. To foster public participation in the correctional process;
4. To participate in developing community resources designed to support correctional programs;
5. To act as impartial observers, particularly during times of crisis;
6. To positively contribute in the development and implementation of new policies and programs through meaningful consultation.