Department of Justice

MINISTER McLELLAN ANNOUNCES NEW FUNDS TO HELP VICTIMS OF CRIME

OTTAWA, August 3, 2000 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced today the creation of a fund dedicated to victim-related initiatives.

The $10 million victims’ fund is part of a five-year $25 million commitment by the Government of Canada to address victims’ issues and will help to ensure that the perspective of victims of crime is considered in the development of policies and legislation that affect them by, for example:

• supporting innovative programs and services, public education initiatives, conferences and research by non-governmental experts;
• involving non-governmental victim advocates and service providers, in partnership with provincial and territorial authorities, to identify key concerns and to develop options and strategies to meet the needs of victims in their communities; and,
• assisting provinces and territories to implement Criminal Code provisions benefiting victims of crime and the principles enunciated in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime agreed to by provinces and territories.

"This funding has been put in place to help organizations better meet the needs of victims and those who work with victims," said Minister McLellan. "Through financial support for various organizations and levels of government, communities will be able to enhance services for victims and ensure that these services meet local needs. This is an important tool aimed at improving the situation of victims caught up in the criminal justice system."

The funding complements recent legislative changes that strengthen the role of victims in the criminal justice system and facilitate their participation including the following:

• victims are now informed about opportunities to prepare and read victim impact statements in court if they so choose;
• police and judges are now required to specifically consider the safety of victims in all bail decisions;
• protections for victims and witnesses participating in trials have been expanded, and the Criminal Code now provides that judges are permitted to ban the publication of the identity of any victim or witness in appropriate circumstances; and
• new provisions also require all offenders to pay an automatic victim surcharge (an additional monetary penalty), which will increase revenue for provinces and territories to expand and improve victim services.

The remaining $15 million will be spent over five years on research, consultations, public legal education and awareness of victim rights and concerns. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues, an office within the Department of Justice, will co-ordinate all departmental victim initiatives. The Centre was created following the Government's response to the December 1998 Report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, Victims' Rights -- A Voice, not a Veto. Further improvements to victims' rights came with changes to the Criminal Code that came into force on December 1, 1999.

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Ref.:

Farah Mohamed
Director of Communications
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621

Catherine Kane
Senior Counsel
Policy Centre for Victim Issues
Department of Justice
(613) 957-4690