ST JOHN'S, August 14, 2012 — The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Felix Collins, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced that victims of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador will benefit from a number of projects designed to help them as they work through the healing process. The Government of Canada will provide more than $2.4 million in funding to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for these projects.
“Our Government is committed to standing up for victims of crime by holding perpetrators accountable while supporting victims in the criminal justice and corrections systems,” said Minister Nicholson. “This funding is a substantial investment for victims of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador.” The funding will be directed to projects serving victims of crime in Newfoundland and Labrador, including:
- Enhanced services for rural and remote victims of crime;
- Financial assistance for victims to attend sentencing hearings to present their victim impact statement;
- Financial assistance to access victim programs;
- New public awareness initiatives; and,
- The purchase of video-conferencing equipment for use in court by vulnerable victims.
“This funding allows us to deliver programming that can better respond to the individual needs of victims who have suffered as a result of a crime,” said Minister Collins. “Providing the necessary supports for victims of crime is of utmost importance so that they can have meaningful participation in the criminal justice process and start on the path of healing.”
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador has allocated almost $1.3 million in this fiscal year for victim services. For the last six years, the provincial government has contributed $8.8 million to this programming area.
The Government of Canada has allocated more than $90 million over the past six years for initiatives that benefit victims of crime. 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.
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
