It is symbolic that this conference is held in the same week as National Aboriginal Day. It has brought together Aboriginal communities from across Canada to Sault Ste. The Importance of Aboriginal Crime Prevention Let's talk about why we're here. This conference was first proposed by the First Nations Chiefs of Police Association and supported by National Chief Fontaine. We are all deeply disturbed by the number of Aboriginal peoples serving sentences in federal penitentiaries.
Incarceration has staggering economic and human costs.
But it is not clear that putting people in prison results in safer, stronger communities. As Solicitor General, I am committed to tackling this challenge. And crime prevention is an important part of the solution. I believe that if we can reach children early enough and focus our resources on youth at risk, we will stand a better chance of keeping them out of prison as they grow older. I also believe that crime prevention is a shared responsibility that we all have a role to play.