Services by Province/Territory
Northwest Territories
Legislation
The Northwest Territories (NWT) utilizes the Victims of Crime Act to administer Victim Services across the Territories. The Victims Assistance Fund was established to collect victim surcharges of up to 20% of a fine penalty or $25.00 of a non-fine penalty, and utilizes these funds to assist victim-related projects. The Territorial government also receives funding through grants from Justice Canada for specific projects. Funding for ongoing community based victim services programs are provided through general revenues.
Services
The Government of the NWT Department of Justice provides contribution funding to ongoing, community-based victim service programs, which then provide direct services to victims including information, support, practical assistance, court-orientation/accompaniment and referrals. A formalized Victim Impact Statement Program provides guidance to victims on the completion of a Victim Impact Statement. Crown Witness Coordinators, employed by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, also provide victims/witnesses with assistance throughout the court process.
Compensation
Nil
Victim Services
http://www.justice.gov.nt.ca/VictimServices/index.shtml
Nunavut
Legislation
Nunavut has a Victims of Crime Act which allocates surcharges not to exceed 20% of a fine penalty or $25.00 for a non-fine surcharge to the Victim Assistance Fund. The Government of Nunavut has also allocated monies for victim service workers in some regions of Nunavut.
Services
Through the Office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Crown Witness Coordinators travel the territory to work with and maintain contact with victims or witnesses throughout the court process.
Community-based organizations provide direct services including information, support, practical assistance, court orientation and accompaniment and referrals. These organizations receive contribution funding through the Government of Nunavut Department of Justice, Community Justice Division.
Compensation
Nil
Community Justice
http://www.justice.gov.nu.ca/i18n/english/
Yukon
Legislation
The Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Act of 1996 provides for a collection of victim surcharges on all offences. The Crime Prevention and Victim Services Trust Fund awards money for projects designed to: provide services and information to support victims of offences; help reduce the incidence of crime; address the root cause of criminal behaviour; prevent violence against women and children; and publicize information about crime prevention and how people can protect themselves from becoming victims.
Services
The main office is located in Whitehorse with satellite offices in Dawson City and Watson Lake. Victim Services of Yukon administers the Family Violence Prevention Act and works closely with the Crown and the RCMP to offer support to victims involved with the criminal justice system.
In addition, through the Office of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Crown Witness Coordinators travel throughout Yukon to work with and maintain contact with victims and witnesses throughout the court process.
Compensation
Nil
Victim Services
http://www.justice.gov.yk.ca/prog/cor/vs/
Alberta
Legislation
The Alberta Victims of Crime Act, proclaimed in 1997, established the authority to collect surcharges on provincial statute offences, defined principles respecting the treatment of victims, provideed victims with rights to obtain information and introduced financial benefits for victims. Under the act, surcharges on federal offences already being collected and provincial fine surcharge revenue collected are deposited into a fund which is used to support two primary programs: the Financial Benefits Program; and a Grants Program.
Services
Since proclamation of the Victims Programs Assistance Act in 1991 and the Victims of Crime Act in 1997, victim assistance programs have expanded throughout the province. With the support of local communities, police services and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, over 117 victim services units have been established to provide information, assistance and courtroom support to victims during the criminal justice process.
Compensation
Alberta does not provide traditional compensation. Subject to the Victims of Crime Act the Director, through the Financial Benefits Program, recognizes or acknowledges victims who have suffered physical or emotional injury as a direct result of a violent crime in Alberta. The program provides direct assistance with a one-time financial benefit based on the severity of the victim’s injuries, rather than awarding for losses or costs incurred. The benefit amount is set in the regulation to the Act. The death benefit is $12,500 per deceased victim. Injury awards range from $500 to $110,000.
Victim Services
http://www.solgps.alberta.ca/programs_and_services/
victim_services/Pages/default.aspx
Financial Benefits Program
http://www.solgen.gov.ab.ca/victim/financial_benefits.aspx
British Columbia
Legislation
British Columbia utilizes the Victims of Crime Act of 1996 to maintain a Victims Surcharge Special Account that holds the revenue gained from the 15% provincial surcharge, as well as revenue gained from federal surcharges.
British Columbia’s victims’ service programs are funded through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s annual budget, as well as the Victim Surcharge Special Account. Programs are eligible for funding based on a population-based formula: communities with an authorized police strength of four or more are eligible for a police-based program, and communities of 20,000 or more are eligible for a community-based program.
Services
British Columbia funds over 150 victim service programs located in police departments and community agencies throughout the province. These programs provide information about the justice system, practical help, emotional support, court orientation and referrals to other services. Police-based programs serve all types of victims and also assist police in situations where there are multiple injuries or deaths. Community-based programs serve victims of family and sexual violence, and include programs for ethno-specific and diverse communities and programs for Aboriginal peoples. The Victim Safety Unit, operated directly by Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division, promotes victim safety by notifying registered victims of crime and civil restraining order protected parties about the release of offenders from custody, seven days a week.
Compensation
The Crime Victim Assistance Program is funded through the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s budget, and is administered directly by Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division.
Victims, immediate family members and certain witnesses may be eligible for benefits under the Crime Victim Assistance Act. Benefits include, but are not limited to, medical and/or dental expenses, prescription drug expenses, counselling services, repair/replacement of personal property, income support and crime scene cleaning. There is no global cap on benefits awarded per claimant although some benefits have maximum award levels and conditions that are set out in the Crime Victim Assistance (General) Regulation and the Crime Victim Assistance (Income Support and Vocational Services or Expenses Benefits) Regulation.
Victim Services
www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services/index.htm
Crime Victim Assistance Program
http://www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/victim_services/cva/index.htm
Manitoba
Legislation
The Government of Manitoba proclaimed the Victims’ Bill of Rights in 2001. With this proclamation, a fund was created to collect the 15% victim surcharge added to all provincial statute fines, including highway traffic offences.
Services
The Manitoba Justice Victim Services Branch is part of the Criminal Justice Division and provides a full range of services across the province to child and domestic violence victims, and victims of the most serious crimes. Crime Victim Services Workers (CVSW) throughout Manitoba guide victims of crime through the complexities of the criminal justice system by advising them of their rights and responsibilities and offering support while the charge proceeds through the system.
The Domestic Violence Support Service offers assistance, support and information to victims of domestic violence. The program is also responsible for the coordination of the CELL Program (Cellphone, Emergency, Limited, Link-Up) which provides an added level of protection to people who are involved in high-risk relationships or are at risk of being stalked. The Domestic Violence Intervention Unit offers support to families who receive police services for domestic violence-related incidents that occur in Winnipeg, but that do not result in charges or arrests. The Child Victim Support Service deals with cases involving children, youth, and adult survivors of abuse. The Victims’ Rights Support Service provides assistance in cases involving victims of serious crimes as defined in The Victims Bill of Rights. Manitoba’s Victim/Witness Assistance Program provides support services to crime victims and those subpoenaed as Crown witnesses in court. Crime Victim Service Workers also provide assistance with Victim Impact Statements by aiding victims in submitting Victim Impact Statements to the court.
Compensation
The Compensation for Victims of Crime Program provides compensation to victims who suffer personal injury, hardships or expenses as a result of certain crimes. The program is also available to specific relatives and dependents of victims of homicide in Manitoba. Compensation may cover reasonable expenses resulting from a crime including: payment of medical expenses, replacement of damaged clothing, dental treatment, replacement of prescription eyeglasses, payment of therapy or counselling, compensation for lost wages for victims who have been disabled or for dependents of a victim who is fatally injured, support payments for dependents, payment for rehabilitation, compensation for permanent disability and funeral expenses.
Victim Services
www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/index.html
Compensation for Victims of Crime
http://www.gov.mb.ca/justice/victims/services/compensation.html
New Brunswick
Legislation
New Brunswick’s Victims Services Act established the Victim Services Fund for provincial and federal victim surcharges. Provincial surcharges are 20% on all Provincial fines, and Federal surcharges are 15% on all fines, while if no fine is imposed, the surcharge ranges from $50.00 to $100.00. These surcharges provide financial support for Victim Services in New Brunswick.
Services
Direct services for victims include:
- Counselling
- Compensation for Victims of Crime
- Court Preparation
- Court Support
- Victim Impact Statement Program
Additional Follow-Up Services include:
- Sentencing De-briefing
- Victim Notification of Release of Provincially Incarcerated Offenders
- Victim Notification of Provincial Notification of Not Criminally Responsible Accused Information
- Liaison with Correctional Service Canada and the National Parole Board for Victim Notification of Release of Federally Incarcerated Offenders
Compensation
The combined total amount of compensation that can be provided to an individual is $5,000, and there are limits on each type of benefit that is available. New Brunswick provides a modest pain and suffering amount in recognition of a person having been a victim of crime. People who may be eligible for compensation include:
- A direct victim of crime
- A parent/guardian on behalf of victim
- A homicide victim's family member
Victim Services
http://www.gnb.ca/0276/victimservices/index-e.asp
Previous Page
