Minister of Justice Participates in Edmonton Consultation to Discuss Victims Bill of Rights
EDMONTON, July 25, 2013 – The Honourable Peter MacKay, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Central Nova, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today met with stakeholders to discuss key priorities for the creation of a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
“Giving victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems continues to be a priority for our Government,”
said Minister MacKay. “As we work toward entrenching the rights of victims into a single federal law, it is essential that we learn from the experiences of those who have been directly impacted by our criminal justice system.”
Today's consultation follows the Government's commitment in February to entrench the rights of victims of crime by bringing forward legislation to implement a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. Views expressed by stakeholders present will add to information provided through other in-person consultations and to the public consultation being hosted on the Department of Justice website until September 3, 2013. The public consultation is available at www.justice.gc.ca/eng/cj-jp/victims-victimes/vrights-droitsv/. This will all contribute to increasing the strength of victims’ rights.
The development of a Victims Bill of Rights builds on the Government's record of achievements in giving victims a stronger voice in the criminal justice system. These achievements include:
- the establishment of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime;
- the creation of the Federal Victims Strategy in 2007 and its permanent renewal in 2011;
- the allocation of more than $120 million to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and corrections systems through programs and initiatives delivered by the Department of Justice Canada;
- the allocation of more than $10 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres since 2010 to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime;
- the introduction of legislation to double the victims’ surcharge and make it mandatory; and
- the elimination of the faint-hope clause, which allowed murderers to obtain early parole.
The consultations are part of the Government's Plan for Safe Streets and Communities, which is one of four priorities identified by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. This Plan focuses on tackling crime, enhancing victims’ rights, and ensuring a fair and efficient justice system.
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