NEW WESTMINSTER, June 27, 2012 –The Government of Canada today announced funding of $50,000 to the BC Bereavement Helpline for a support group for survivors of homicide victims. The announcement was made by Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., M.P. for Delta-Richmond East and Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada.
“Our Government believes that all Canadians deserve a justice system that responds to their concerns and to what is happening on our streets and in our communities,”
said Minister Nicholson. “As our Government pursues its agenda to protect Canadians and better serve victims, we will continue to work with organizations such as the BC Bereavement Helpline to ensure that victims have access to the support and services they need.”
“Our Government places a high priority on helping victims of crime,”
said Ms. Findlay. “Through Economic Action Plan 2012, we are taking action to offer victims in British Columbia, and all over Canada, access to high-quality programs.”
“This funding has significantly contributed to Vancouver’s first homicide bereavement centre, giving survivors of homicide victims the opportunity to directly access peer support,”
said Christopher Ducharme, President of the BC Bereavement Helpline and Founder of BC Victims of Homicide. “Healing through Connection is the common thread of many stories and we aim to create a safe space for people to connect with others who have shared an experience of loss through homicide.”
Funding is available through the Victims Fund, a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada. Funds are available to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations for programs and services that give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Government has allocated more than $90 million over the past six years for initiatives that benefit victims of crime, including funding for government programs.
Backgrounder: Federal Victims Strategy and Victims Fund
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Ref.:
- Julie Di Mambro
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
- Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
