Federal Ombudsperson releases the OFOVC's 10-year progress report on the CVBR
I am proud to announce the release of Fulfilling the Promises of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, a 10‑year progress report by the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime. This report calls on governments and policymakers to take meaningful action as we mark the tenth anniversary of this important legislation.
While the past decade has brought some progress, much more remains to be done.
When the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR) was enacted in 2015, Parliament committed to providing victims with enforceable rights. Since then, the CVBR has influenced case law, public policy, and parliamentary debate. Federal agencies have adjusted their practices to reflect victims’ rights, and courts have recognized the CVBR’s quasi‑constitutional status. However, rights must be more than symbolic; they must be real, respected, and enforceable in practice.
Despite notable advances, victims’ rights too often remain aspirational. Victims cannot go to court to assert their rights, essential information is frequently provided only “on request,” and protections vary significantly across jurisdictions. These barriers are compounded for marginalized groups, including Indigenous women, persons with disabilities, and gender‑diverse people.
This progress report acknowledges progress and calls for concrete reforms to ensure that victims and survivors are treated with dignity, fairness, and respect, and that the promises of the CVBR are fully realized.
It contains 24 recommendations, including:
- Guaranteeing automatic, accessible information throughout the justice process
- Strengthening the right to protection, including psychological safety and consistent access to testimonial aids
- Establishing mandatory trauma‑informed training and national data collection
- Making victims’ rights legally enforceable
Now Is the Time to Act
Ten years after the CVBR came into force, I am encouraged by legislative initiatives such as Bill C‑16. I urge Parliament and justice system stakeholders to sustain this momentum and enact the necessary changes to ensure that victims’ rights become a lived reality, not merely words on paper.
In this context, both Fulfilling the Promises of the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and Rethinking Justice for Survivors of Sexual Violence: A Systemic Investigation should inform the review of Bill C‑16 and guide meaningful, survivor‑centred reform.
Dr. Benjamin Roebuck (he/him)
Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime