RESPONSE TO THE FOURTEENTH REPORT OF THE
STANDING COMMITTEE ON JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

VICTIMS' RIGHTS - A VOICE, NOT A VETO

December 1998

DEDICATION

Foreword

Today, I am releasing the federal Government's Response to Victims' Rights - A Voice, Not a Veto, the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights' report on the role of victims of crime in the criminal justice system.

The Response indicates our support for the Committee's recommendations and outlines how the Government intends to address the issues raised by the Committee.

The Response focuses exclusively on initiatives that the Government of Canada can develop and pursue, and more particularly on initiatives that my colleague, the Solicitor General, and I, as Minister of Justice, can implement. However, responding to the concerns of victims of crime and bringing about necessary improvements to the criminal justice system is not the exclusive responsibility of the federal government. The provinces and territories have an essential role to play. Accordingly, I will be encouraging the continuation and enhancement of consultation with my provincial and territorial colleagues who are already actively involved in programs, services and assistance for victims of crime.

The recommendations of the Standing Committee on Justice and Humans Rights confirm what victims of crime and their advocates have been telling me in personal meetings and in their letters. Time and time again, I have been told that victims need more information, both about their role in the criminal justice system and about services and assistance that may be available. I have been told also that victims want to be treated with courtesy and compassion, but often feel that such treatment is lacking. Victims want, as the Standing Committee's report states, a voice in the criminal justice system that is listened to and respected.

While the criminal justice system has evolved over the last fifteen years to facilitate the participation of victims and witnesses, and to support them through a variety of programs and services, clearly there is room for improvement.

The Standing Committee's thorough review of the victim's role in the criminal justice system reflects the views of victims of crime, victim service providers, victim advocates, restorative justice practitioners, police, Crown attorneys, defence lawyers and many others who participated in the Committee's consultation process. I am, therefore, confident that, in our Response to the Committee's Report, we are focusing on the priorities of those we hope to benefit: victims and witnesses of crime.

I want to personally express my appreciation to everyone who shared their opinions and experiences at the Committee hearings, at Town Hall meetings, at the June, 1998 National Forum, as well as through written briefs and submissions. I also want to thank all members of the Standing Committee for their hard work and careful attention to the range of views presented and, more generally, for their significant contribution to the development of a federal strategy for victims of crime.

As Minister of Justice, I am committed to ensuring that the recommendations of the Standing Committee are implemented to the fullest extent possible. I look forward to an ongoing dialogue with my provincial and territorial colleagues and with representatives of all components of the criminal justice system to implement this strategy. I also recognize that this Response is not an end in itself, but rather the starting point for a federal strategy to improve the situation of the victim in our criminal justice system.