Initiatives

Citizens’ Advisory Committees to the Correctional Service of Canada

Citizens' Advisory Committees (CACs) are autonomous committees that reflect the interest of citizens in contributing to the quality of Canada's federal correctional services and programs. The mission of each CAC is to contribute to the protection of society by interacting with staff of the Correctional Service of Canada, the public and offenders by providing impartial advice and recommendations about correctional services and by acting as a liaison with the community.

Close to 600 citizens participate in 106 CACs across Canada. Members represent various social, cultural, and demographic backgrounds and occupations, and usually reside in proximity to the operational unit for which the committee serves. Members are appointed for a period of two years, by the director, warden or parole representative of the CSC.

Citizens' Advisory Committees were established in 1965, but it was not until 1977 that the CSC made CACs mandatory for every federal penitentiary in Canada. The decision came after the Parliamentary Sub-committee on the Penitentiary System endorsed the value of such committees.

For more information about Citizens' Advisory Committees, please call the Citizen Engagement Division, Communications and Citizen Engagement Sector at (613) 995-5272.