Legislation to Double Victim Surcharge Passes Parliament
OTTAWA, April 30, 2013 – Today, the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, welcomed the vote in Parliament to pass the Increasing Offenders' Accountability for Victims Act. This legislation increases the accountability of offenders to their victims by doubling the victim surcharge they must pay, and ensuring the surcharge is applied to all offenders.
"I am pleased that the Increasing Offenders' Accountability for Victims Act was passed by Parliament today," said Minister Nicholson. "This Act will directly benefit victims of crime by increasing the funding available to victim services in the provinces and territories."
Under these amendments to the Criminal Code, the victim surcharge will be 30 percent of any fine imposed or, where no fine is imposed, $100 for a summary conviction offence and $200 for an indictable offence. The surcharge, which is imposed on offenders at the time of sentencing, is collected and retained by the provincial or territorial government where an offender is sentenced, and is used to help fund services for victims of crime.
The amendments to the Criminal Code will make the surcharge mandatory for all offenders and will allow those who cannot pay to discharge the victim surcharge by participating in a fine option program or through alternative mechanisms.
The Increasing Offenders'' Accountability for Victims Act will come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council.
These changes to the victim surcharge are in keeping with the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of four priorities identified recently by the Prime Minister. This plan focuses on holding violent criminals accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our justice system.
An online version of the legislation can be found at www.parl.gc.ca.
Backgrounder: Victim Surcharge
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