Bill C-77: Declaration of Victims’ Rights

Personnel

Why is this government not adequately consulting with Canadians and delaying the implementation of Bill C-77?

National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces remains committed to strengthening victims’ rights within the military justice system.
That is why this government passed Bill C-77, in 2019, to provide clear statutory rights to victims of service offences.
National Defence is currently in the consultation phase required to implement this Bill.
This phase will inform the regulations surrounding the Bill including a Declaration of Victims’ rights.
To date, we have consulted internal and federal partners on necessary regulations, including the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre.
The Canadian Armed Forces is also assessing advice from experts to consult victims through an online survey.
We will continue to ensure that the regulatory framework is appropriate and effective.

The Declaration of Victims’ Rights features three main components:
- giving victims of service offences rights to information, protection, participation and restitution;
- providing for the appointment of a Victim Liaison Officer; and,
- providing for a complaint mechanism.
To date, the following entities have been consulted:
- the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC);
- the External Advisory Council to SMRC;
- the Final Settlement Agreement Consultation Group;
- the Policy Centre for Victim Issues;
- the Directorate Professional Military Conduct-Operation HONOUR; and,
- the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.
Additionally, more general stakeholder engagement has also taken place with:
- Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC);
- Royal Canadian Mounted Policy (RCMP);
- Correctional Service of Canada (CSC);
- Parole Board of Canada (PBC);
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP);
- Canadian Forces Legal Advisor (CFLA);
- Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP);
- Military Police Group (MP GP); and,
Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM).

Responsible Principals: Judge Advocate General, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

January 15, 2021