GOVERNMENT OF CANADA ALLOCATES FUNDS FOR INITIATIVES FOR VICTIMS IN EDMONTON

EDMONTON, August 20, 2001 -- Today, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced that the Government of Canada will award $35,000 in funding to the Edmonton Police Service Child Protection Section. The funding was provided through the Policy Centre for Victim Issues' Victim Fund, as part of a federal initiative to improve the experience of victims in the criminal justice system.

"Responding to the needs of victims is a priority for the Department of Justice," said Minister McLellan. "Being caught up in the criminal justice system can be a particularly traumatic experience for young victims. By providing funding to the Edmonton Police Service, we will be helping to ensure that child victims have a support system in place."

The funding being given to the Edmonton Police Service Child Protection Section will be used to enhance the services provided to victims and their families who are involved in child abuse and child protection investigations. The funding will also be used to increase awareness of victim issues among those working within the Child Protection Section.

Minister McLellan made the funding announcement at the opening ceremonies of the 27^th annual National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) conference. Journey to New Frontiers, is being held in Edmonton, Alberta from August 19^th to 24^th. This year's conference is being hosted by the Edmonton Police Service's Victims Unit, with the support of the Policy Centre for Victim Issues and other local and provincial organizations.

In March, 2001, Minister McLellan announced that the Victim Fund had provided $95,000 to help support the conference. Funding has also been provided to assist some delegates from Canadian victim service organizations to attend and the Policy Centre for Victim Issues has sponsored several workshops at the conference.

In August, 2000, $10 million over a five year period was made available under the Victim Fund for initiatives that would help the provinces and territories implement legislation for victims of crime. The fund also supports governmental and non-govermental organizations to develop and implement innovative projects to assist victims of crime, particularly in rural areas. In addition, the fund provides limited emergency financial assistance to assist victims of crime and their families.

To find out more about the Policy Centre for Victim Issues and the Victim Fund, visit http://www.canada.justice.gc.ca/victim.

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Ref:

Farah Mohamed
Minister McLellan's Office
(613) 992-4621

Jeanette Rule
Policy Centre for Victim Issues
(613) 952-1109