Victims Fund agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia

Victims Fund

Providing the necessary supports and services to respond to the immediate and ongoing needs of victims, survivors, their families and their communities is an important part of a fair and accessible criminal justice system. The Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada. Funds are made available each year to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects and activities support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.

The Victims Fund supports projects and activities that:

• enhance victim assistance programs across Canada;
• promote access to justice and participation in the justice system and the development of laws, policies, and programs;
• promote the implementation of principles, guidelines, and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate their role in the criminal justice system;
• contribute to increased knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs, and legislation; and
• promote, encourage and/or enhance governmental and non-governmental organizations' involvement in the identification of victims' needs and gaps in services, as well as in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity building within non-governmental organizations.

In 2016-2017, the Fund will contribute more than $21 million to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to increase awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation, and services available, as well as to develop and deliver victim programs, services, and assistance to meet gaps in services for victims of crime.

More information is available on the Department of Justice Canada's website.

Improving Access to Justice Services for Victims of Crime in Nova Scotia

The Department of Justice Canada is contributing $3,750,000 over five years to advance victim services and access to justice for victims and witnesses, while giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system in Nova Scotia. The anticipated outcomes of the activities include:

• Victims of crime who are Aboriginal in the Provincial Victim Services Program will have access to an Aboriginal Victim Case Coordinator.
• Culturally supportive victim services will be delivered by the Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network.
• A restitution coordinator will provide direct support to victims who are pursuing civil enforcement of unpaid restitution orders.
• Victim services officers will be retained on-call to provide services in communities as necessary.
• Victims will receive funding to travel to sentencing hearings to deliver victim impact statements.
• Specialized training will be delivered to Victim Services Officers.
• The delivery of services will be improved through technological enhancements that will reduce time spent on administrative tasks.
• Witnesses will be able to access new testimonial aids such as video conferencing equipment.
• Nova Scotia Public Safety Victim's Services will have more capacity to undertake projects aimed at improving service delivery.

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October 2016
Department of Justice Canada