September 25, 2013
Toronto, Ontario
(Check against delivery)
Good afternoon, everyone.
I am pleased to be with you here today as I share what I have learned from Canadians during my cross-country consultations…to improve the justice system and better serve victims of crime. I reiterate our Government’s intentions this fall to make the necessary changes to entrench victims’ rights into federal law.
Canadians should be able to see that their justice system is working, and feel safe in the environment they live in. Or, as I like to put it, “justice should not just be done—it should also be seen to be done.”
Since being given the honour of the job of federal Justice Minister this summer, I have travelled to every province and territory, and held a total of 16 consultations, including one here in Toronto. They have made an ever-lasting impression on me. The candour I’ve been afforded from victims was heartfelt and invaluable.
The cross-country consultations are in step with our Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, one of the four priorities identified by Prime Minister Harper last January. This plan hones in on holding violent criminals accountable, enhancing the rights of victims, and increasing the efficiency of our justice system. Because our Government stands up for victims.
It was important for me to hear from victims of crime, victims’ advocates, and those who work in the criminal justice system, from coast to coast to coast, on how our Government can best address victims’ rights through federal legislation.
I have learned that victims want more meaningful information, given at a timely point in the criminal justice process. They also want meaningful participation and consideration in the system. They do not want to feel re-victimized by the criminal justice system itself.
I was very impressed to see victims bravely dedicated to not only telling their stories but also standing up for other victims, devoted to improving the justice system for others—for all.
Here in Toronto, for example, I heard that there is a need for more collaboration among victims’ organizations—and frankly between all levels of government.
I received feedback from cities across Canada that raised important issues:
- In Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Whitehorse, I heard about the close community and family-based relationships that can exist between victims and offenders in remote northern communities.
- In Winnipeg, participants drew my attention to the impacts on victims that occur outside the criminal justice system. These include economic costs, loss of employment, costs of treatment, and mental and physical health problems. One way our Government has addressed this is by providing for a new Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children. This new grant, which became available on January 1, 2013, is designed to financially help parents who take a leave from work while they are dealing with their tragedy.
- In Saskatoon and Halifax, there was an emphasis on keeping victims informed throughout the justice process. Our Government will not leave victims in the dark.
- In Vancouver and Moncton, I heard about the need to be vigilant to unintended consequences of a Victims Bill of Rights, such as increased delay in the criminal justice system. Our Government will ensure that this Bill becomes a tool for law enforcement, not a burden.
- In Edmonton, we talked about finding ways for victims to be meaningfully involved in the criminal justice process—when they want to be. From the arrest of the alleged offender to his or her release into the community.
- In Charlottetown, I heard about the impact on a victim and their family if they haven’t been able to access victim services—simply because they weren’t aware the services existed. While more awareness is needed, we do also offer a Victim Services Directory on the Department of Justice website that is designed to help service providers, victims and individuals locate services for victims of crime across Canada.
- In St. John’s, as in London, participants expressed an interest in public legal education and training on the Victims Bill of Rights to ensure it is implemented effectively.
- In Ottawa, I heard from victims about how technology, perhaps in the form of a secure Web portal, could be used to provide them with general and case-specific information.
- In Montréal, it was explained how some victims have specific needs, like child victims and victims with health problems. One way our Government is meeting the needs of child victims is through our funding for Child Advocacy Centres. These provide comfortable home-like settings with a special child-friendly approach to addressing the trauma of young victims.
- In Quebec City, victims expressed the need for the families of missing adults to be recognized.
In addition to these cross-country consultations, we have been receiving feedback through our online consultation open to the general public on the Department of Justice website. The online consultation, which was launched on May 1st, will be open for two more days—until September 27—so I encourage all those interested in participating to visit the website and send comments. We don’t want a Victims Bill of Rights that hypothetically addresses victims’ needs—we want victims to tangibly feel that their interests are legitimately protected.
Consultations have also been held, and will continue to be held, with provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice-related issues. In Canada, criminal justice is an area of shared jurisdiction. Provinces and territories have responsibility for the administration of justice, and are key partners in responding to the needs of victims of crime.
These consultations have provided us with invaluable feedback about how we can better meet the needs of victims of crime across the country.
Our Government is committed to taking the valuable input that we have received through these important consultations, and giving it proper consideration when we draft the Victims Bill of Rights legislation later this fall.
This legislation will shift the balance in the justice system toward victims by entrenching their rights into legislation at the federal level.
Canadians expect that the protection of victims would be a significant consideration in our justice system. And our Government is going to make sure of that.
We will also reflect on the issue of victims seeking restitution, a provision rarely used and poorly enforced, even though it is allowed under the Criminal Code. Restitution should be easier to obtain for victims and families who incur losses.
Our Government remains committed to standing up for victims of crime, giving them a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems, and ensuring that they are treated with courtesy, dignity, and respect.
Addressing the needs of victims of crime has always been a top priority for our Government, and it will continue to be.
A Victims Bill of Rights will build on measures already taken by our Government to advance the needs of victims of crime.
Since 2006, our Government has designated more than $120 million to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems.
This includes more than $10 million to create and enhance the Child Advocacy Centres I mentioned earlier...I’ve seen some of these centres in person, and the work they do to help these child victims is commendable.
And along with creating the Federal Victims Strategy in 2007, we renewed it permanently in 2011, because we saw its value. We also established the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, passed legislation to double the victims' surcharge and make it mandatory, and eliminated the faint-hope clause, which had allowed murderers to obtain early paroIe.
The upcoming Victims Bill of Rights is just one more step our Government is taking to improve the justice system for victims. Over the coming weeks, I will be considering the feedback from the in-person and online consultations, to help our Government develop and introduce robust Victims Bill of Rights legislation.
Once again, I’d like to thank all the participants who provided their invaluable input throughout the consultation process. We will always remain committed to hearing your concerns regarding victims of crime.
Thank you.
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