Question Period Note: Mother Child Program

• The safety and security of all children who participate in the Mother-Child Program is our top priority.

• That is why there are rigorous eligibility criteria protocols in place for participation in this program.

• This includes rigorous child welfare screening, as well as ensuring that those residing in the Unit have not been convicted of an offence against a child.

• Children who participate in the Mother-Child Program at any institution are supervised at all times and are never left unattended.

• The best interests of the child will remain our priority.

The Institutional Mother-Child Program was piloted in 1996 and implemented in 2001. The objective of the program is to foster positive relationships between mothers and their children by keeping them together, where appropriate, and providing a supportive environment that promotes stability and continuity to the relationship.
This program is available in all women's institutions and at the Okimaw Ohci Healing Lodge. It offers a range of options for incarcerated women to develop, maintain and/or strengthen the bond with their children.
A cohabitation component of the Mother-Child Program enables children to stay with their mother while they are incarcerated on a part-time (under seven years old) or a full-time basis (under five years old.) Other bonding services are also available to all incarcerated mothers including in-person and video visits, counselling, education, legal and mediation support/liaison with child and family agencies, reading programs, and pre- and post-natal services.
The best interests of the child are the primary consideration in all decisions relating to participation in this program. This is done by ensuring the physical, emotional, psychological, and spiritual well-being of the child, as well as the safety and security of the institution.
There have been close to 200 participations in the cohabitation component of the Mother-Child Program since it was implemented.
During the month of April 2025, five children participated in the cohabitation component of the Mother-Child Program.

Safety of Children in the Program
There are rigorous eligibility criteria protocols in place for participation in this program, including child welfare screening completed by provincial and territorial child and family services, as well as ensuring that those residing in the Mother-Child Living Unit have not been convicted of an offence against a child. Mothers classified as maximum security are not eligible for full or part-time participation with their children but could access the other bonding services.

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