Fact Sheet – Audio Recordings

As of June 1, 2016, in accordance with the Victims Bill of Rights Act, victims can request to listen to an audio recording of the parole hearing of the offender who harmed them.

Eligibility

Victims are eligible to apply to listen to an audio recording of the parole hearing of the offender who harmed them.

You must be registered with the PBC to access this service. If you are not registered, please complete, sign and send back the Request for Victim Registration - Application Form to your nearest PBC regional office. Alternatively, you can register through the Victims Portal.

Applicable hearings

A request to listen to an audio recording of a hearing must meet the following conditions to be approved:

  • The hearing must have taken place on or after June 1st, 2016.
  • The hearing is for a day and/or full parole review.
  • The hearing was for a final decision to grant, deny, direct, not direct and/or continue parole.

How to apply

Eligible victims must complete, sign and send back the Victim Request to Listen to Audio Recording of Hearing form to their nearest PBC regional office.

How it works

The audio recording will be available to listen to by phone via a toll-free 1-800 number. If your request is approved, you will be informed by the PBC, and you will be provided a passcode and instructions on how to listen to the recording. You can listen to the recording at any time until the passcode expires.

Any parts of the hearing that could jeopardize a person’s safety, reveal a confidential source of information, or that should not be heard because of privacy interests, will be removed from the recording.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long will I have access to the recording?

The passcode provided to you by the PBC will have an expiry date noted. You can replay the recording as many times as you like until the passcode expires.

Do I have to pay for this service?

This service is free of charge and the audio recording will be available via a toll-free number.

Can my victim representative listen to the audio recording on my behalf?

No. Under current law, victim representatives are not eligible to apply for this service.

Can I listen to the recording with a support person?

No. By law, this service is only available to victims. You will need to sign a non-disclosure agreement stating that you will not listen to or share the recording with anyone other than yourself.

Who can I contact for more information?

For more information, contact your nearest PBC regional office, call the toll-free Victim Line at 1-866-789-4636 or visit the Parole Board of Canada's section on victims and the parole process.

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