GOVERNEMENT OF CANADA TO SUPPORT VICTIM INITIATIVES IN NEW BRUNSWICK

OTTAWA, October 18, 2001 - Today, the Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Margaret-Ann Blaney, Minister of Public Safety of New Brunswick, announced that the Government of Canada will award $199,230 to three victim services initiatives in New Brunswick. The funding was provided through the Government of Canada's Policy Centre for Victim Issues and the Victim Fund, as part of a federal initiative to increase the confidence of victims of crime in the criminal justice system. The New Brunswick Department of Public Safety will also be contributing $50,000 towards one of these initiatives, the Valley Intervention Victims Project.

"Our government is committed to partnering with provincial and local organizations to raise awareness of victims' needs and improve services to meet them," said Minister McLellan. "This funding will develop and enhance innovative provincial and community programs to meet the needs of victims of crime in New Brunswick."

"I am pleased to be able to provide financial support to the Valley Family Resource Centre to provide localized victim services previously provided by our Fredericton office," said Minister Blaney. "This project will provide an integrated community and government response to victims of crime from the time police receive a call until the case is completed in court. The community will be an active partner in this initiative providing a range of services to victims in crisis."

The federal Victims Fund has given:

• $100,000 over two years to New Brunswick's Department of Public Safety in order to enhance the Victims Services Program and to support the implementation of legislation for victims of crime;
• $50,000 over two years to the Valley Intervention Resource Centre in Woodstock, New Brunswick, to enhance services to victims of crime in the Carleton and Southern York County areas; and
• $49,230 over two years to the Centre de ressources et crises familiales Beauséjour to develop training for volunteers to help victims in crisis.
  

In August, 2000, $10 million over a five year period was made available under the federal 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 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

Ron Akerley, Communications
Dept. of Public Safety
Province of New Brunswick
(506) 444-5267