Parole reduces the sentence imposed by the courts. Life does not mean life in Canada. Canada imprisons fewer criminals than most other countries. The cost of incarcerating male and female offenders is the same. There is only one federal prison for women in Canada.
Federal inmates sit around and do nothing all day.
Statutory release is the same as parole. Temporary absences may be granted to inmates for just about any reason, regardless of the risk that they pose to society. Parole is used to reduce the federal prison population. Parole Board members are political patronage appointees. Offenders released on parole are free to live their lives as they please.