April 11, 2014 – Winnipeg, MB – Justice Canada
Today, the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, Shelly Glover, hosted a local community event at the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (Canadian Centre) during the ninth annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (Victims Week).
Victims Week 2014 is being held across Canada from April 6 to 12 with the theme "Taking Action." Victims Week raises awareness about issues facing victims of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help victims and their families.
The Canadian Centre is a registered charitable organization dedicated to the personal safety of all children. The Centre's goal is to reduce child victimization by providing programs and services to the Canadian public.
Through the Department of Justice Canada's Victims Fund, more than 180 organizations received funding to hold events during Victims Week. In Manitoba, the federal government provided a total of $50,040 in funding for seven different events. For information on other events held around Manitoba, please visit http://www.victimsweek.gc.ca/map-carte/events-evene.aspx.
Last week, Prime Minister Harper announced the introduction of legislation to create a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights would transform the criminal justice system by entrenching rights at the federal level for victims of crime for the first time in Canadian history. An online version of the legislation can be found at www.parl.gc.ca.
"As a mother and a law enforcement officer, I have seen first-hand the impact that community-led initiatives can have on the feeling of safety for individuals, families and entire communities. I am pleased that our Government is funding over 180 events across the country, including seven right here in Manitoba. These events fit perfectly with the theme of this year's Victims Week - "Taking Action." Individuals, communities, organizations and governments all need to take action to address the needs of those affected by crime. It is therefore important to recognize organizations like the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, which tirelessly deliver innovative services and programming that help promote the safety of Canadians, especially those who are most vulnerable - our children. I am also very proud of the action our Government has taken by introducing the Victims Bill of Rights Act, legislation that will improve the experiences of victims of crime across the country."
Shelly Glover
Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages
- Paloma Aguilar
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
- Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
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