The mandate of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime relates exclusively to matters within federal responsibility. The office will:

• Promote access to existing federal government programs and services available to victims of crime;
• Address complaints about compliance with the provisions for victims of crime in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act;
• Enhance awareness of the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime within the federal government to ensure that its responsibilities to victims of crime are being met;
• Identify systemic and emerging issues that impact negatively on victims;
• The Office will review complaints for cases that occurred only after the establishment of the Office in March 2007, unless otherwise directed by the Minister of Justice or the Minister of Public Safety.

Steve Sullivan is a long time activist for victims of crime. He began working in the victims' rights movement in 1993. In 1995, he became the Executive Director to the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, and was appointed President in 1998. He has advocated on behalf of individual victims at various stages of the criminal justice system and has worked with various levels of government for increased victims' rights and services.

The Federal Ombudsman reports directly to the Minister of Justice and tables his reports to parliament through the Minister.

The Ombudsman is not a victims' advocate and all enquiries conducted are impartial and independent.

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime was established in March 2007 by the Minister of Justice and the Minister of Public Safety.

The need for a Federal Ombudsman for victims of crime has evolved over the last decade, and the creation of the Office was recommended by victims' advocates and parliamentarians.

The Office of the Ombudsman for Victims of Crime is part of the Government of Canada but has been established at arm's length from the federal government.

• The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime can only address matters of federal responsibility.
• The Office of the Federal Ombudsman will provide a thorough, impartial, independent review of complaints.
• The Office of the Federal Ombudsman has the power to review, make recommendations to government and report publicly.
• The Office of the Federal Ombudsman will give all parities of a dispute an opportunity to be heard, and treat all individuals, government departments and agencies fairly, with dignity and respect.

No, we do not provide legal advice.

No. The services provided by the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime are free of charge.

• You should contact the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime once you have exhausted all other avenues for resolving your complaint; or
• If you are a victim of crime who feels unfairly treated by a department or agency of the federal government.

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime can only address matters to federal responsibility.

• A registered victim was not provided with information as set out in the Corrections and Conditional Release Act;
• A victim was not treated with respect by a federal agency;
• A registered victim was not notified of the release of an offender;
• A registered victim was denied funding to attend a federal parole hearing;
• A Canadian victimized in another country was denied emergency funding;

• Decisions made by the jurisdiction of the provinces, regarding, for example provincial compensation, police investigations, and violations of provincial victims rights legislations;
• Decisions of the National Parole Board ( i.e. releasing an offender);
• A decision made by a judge pertaining to an offender’s sentencing and/or prosecution;
• A recommendation made by the Correctional Service of Canada to a parole board (i.e. support for release of an offender);
• A decision of the Correctional Service of Canada to transfer an offender or authorize a release (i.e. temporary absence for medical care).

You are considered a victim of crime if:

• You have been harmed or suffered physical or emotional damage as a result of someone committing a criminal offence.
• You are a spouse, conjugal partner, relative of, dependent of or are responsible for a victim who has died or is not able to act for himself or herself (e.g., the victim is ill or is a child).

A request to review a Complaint can be made by:

• A registered victim regarding their rights under the Corrections and Conditional Release Act, or
• Any victim, victims service organization or victims advocate regarding other matters within federal responsibility.