Services by Province/Territory
Newfoundland and Labrador
Legislation
The Victim Services Program believes in the fundamental worth and equality of victims participating in the criminal justice process. The core values to which the Program subscribes are legislated in the Victims of Crime Services Act. Through this legislation a 15% Provincial Victim Fine Surcharge is attached to violations of Provincial Acts and Regulations (excluding parking). Through this surcharge as well as revenue, the Victim Services Program operates to provide direct victim services through regional offices and community level services.
Services
Victim Services is a dedicated justice service for victims which began in 1992. There are eleven professionally staffed regional offices throughout the province. Services are available for any crime victim but priorities for service include victims of violent crimes.
In October 2005, the Victim Services Program expanded to include services to child victims and witnesses who will be testifying in criminal justice proceedings.
Newfoundland and Labrador operate the Professional Services Program (counselling), the Victim Impact Statement Program, the Victim Services Assistants Program, the Victim Legal Fund, and the Victim Liaison Officers Program. Services are offered on a voluntary basis and available free of charge to those who feel they have been victimized regardless of whether a complaint has been made to the police or a charge has been laid. These services include: case and court information; court orientation; referrals; and counselling. Victim Services also helps with awareness and educational activities regarding the issues of victims/survivors.
Compensation
Nil
Victim Services
http://www.justice.gov.nl.ca/just/PUBLICPR/victimservices/victim_services.htm
Nova Scotia
Legislation:
Nova Scotia’s Victims’ Rights and Services Act provided for the establishment of the Victims’ Assistance Fund, which is supplemented by a 15% provincial surcharge on all fines, excluding the Young Persons Summary Proceedings Act and parking offences. This fund is not used for direct compensation to individual victims, but rather for services and research respecting victims of crime. The Fund is used to finance the Child Victim Witness Program, the Provincial Victims Services Program, as well as salaries for the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program.
Services:
The Court Services Division of the Department of Justice oversees Victim Services. Victim Services operates the Criminal Injuries Counselling Program, the Provincial Victims’ Services Program, the Child Victim Witness Program and the Victim Impact Statement Program province-wide. Services are delivered through regional offices, and include: general and case specific information; case tracking and updates; court orientation; advocacy and liaison with Police, Prosecution Services, Courts and Corrections; and assistance with criminal injuries compensation and victim impact statements. While some services may require the victim to contact and file a report with the police, all are free of charge and available to all victims of crime in Nova Scotia. All offices have toll-free numbers.
Compensation:
The Victims’ Services Head Office, Court Services Division, Department of Justice administers the program which offers compensation for counselling to mitigate trauma resulting from personal violence offence. Counselling is offered to either the injured individual or his/her family members.
Victim Services
http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/victim_Services/programs.asp
Criminal Injuries Compensation
http://www.gov.ns.ca/just/victim_Services/programs.asp#CICP
Ontario
Legislation:
The Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights, proclaimed in 1996, sets out principles for the treatment of victims and provides for the maintenance of the Victims’ Justice Fund. The Fund collects victim surcharges and uses those monies to assist victims by supporting programs or making grants to community agencies. The surcharge is calculated on a graduated scale according to the amount of the fine.
Services:
Ontario supports a number of programs including:
- The Victim/Witness Assistance Program (V/WAP), which provides comprehensive court-based support services to the most vulnerable victims and witnesses of crimes of violence
- Sexual Assault/Rape Crisis Centres, which provide a broad range of services to adult female victims of sexual violence and survivors of sexual abuse
- Victims’ Crisis Assistance and Referral Services (VCARS), which are community-based agencies to provide immediate help to victims of crime or disaster upon referral from police, other emergency services or self-referral by the victim
- The Victim Support Line -- A toll-free information line that provides information and referrals, a victim notification system, (pre-recorded) information about the criminal justice system, and a Victim Liaison Unit
- Partner Assault Response programs, which are educational/counselling group intervention programs for offenders who have abused their partner. These programs include a victim safety component which entails outreach and follow-up with the victims to ensure they remain safe while their current or former partner is participating in the program.
- Child Witness Support Projects, which are specialized court preparation services and advocacy for children
- SupportLink, which provides safety planning and cell phones to victims at risk of assault, domestic violence, and/or criminal harassment (stalking)
Compensation:
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Board administers the fund for compensable expenses including medical, dental and counselling expenses, wage loss, pain and suffering and support of a child born as a result of a rape. Lump sum or periodic awards or a combination or both can be awarded to victims or their families up to $25,000 lump sum per incident for one victim or up to $1,000 per month periodic award for all claimants.
Victim Services
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/vw/
Criminal Injuries Compensation Board
http://www.cicb.gov.on.ca/en/index.htm
Prince Edward Island
Legislation:
The Victims of Crime Act was proclaimed September 30, 1989 and amended effective August 7, 1989. The Province of Prince Edward Island collects a Victim Surcharge which is placed in a Victim Assistance Fund in order to help fund Victim Services and Criminal Injury Compensation. The Fund is supplemented by general revenues and federal victim surcharges.
Services:
Victim Services assists victims of crime throughout their involvement in the criminal justice system. Where a victim is incapacitated or has died as a result of the crime, family member may benefit from available services.
Victim Services of Prince Edward Island offer the following services: information about the status of cases and the criminal justice system, short term counselling and emotional support, court preparation, help in preparing a victim impact statement, referrals to other services, assistance under the Victims of Family Violence Act, financial information, and/or the coordination of services.
Compensation
Victims Services staff investigate claims for benefits up to a maximum of $15,000 for one victim. Compensable expenses include costs incurred as a result of a personal injury or death including wages or salary lost because of injury, medical or dental costs, pain and suffering, reasonable funeral expenses, and counselling costs.
Victim Services
http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=1000822&lang=E
Criminal Injuries Compensation
http://www.gov.pe.ca/infopei/index.php3?number=1000941
Quebec
Legislation:
Quebec’s Act Respecting Assistance for Victims of Crime sets out various measures to meet the needs and concerns of victims of crime. This act sets out, for one, the use of surcharges to fund victims of crime assistance programs province-wide.
Services:
The crime victims’ assistance office (BAVAC), set up at the ministère de la Justice, has the mandate to support victims rights, and to ensure the development of victim assistance programs, the creation and distribution of information and awareness-raising programs and training on the rights and needs of victims and the services that are available to them. It is also responsible for implementing and maintaining the crime victims’ assistance centres (CAVAC), which are community organizations funded by Quebec. CAVAC offer all victims of crime, their loved ones and dependents free services throughout the province. They provide basic information on the legal process and victims' rights and remedies, including those involving compensation. They offer post-trauma intervention and psycho-socio-legal services and can support victims and their families throughout the legal process.
The province of Quebec also funds Assistance centres for victims of sexual assault (CALACs), shelters for victims of domestic violence, a domestic violence hotline (S.O.S. Violence Conjugale), and a variety of other resources.
Compensation:
In Quebec, anyone injured due to the commission of a crime against the person can claim compensation and services under the Compensation for Victims of Crime Act. The Commission de la santé et la securité du travail (CSST) is responsible for the application of this Act. Others who may claim compensation are: persons injured while assisting a peace officer, while arresting or attempting to arrest an offender, or while preventing or attempting to prevent a crime. Should the victim die, their dependents or their parents if a minor, may receive compensation. Funeral expenses are covered to $3,000. The victim may receive compensation during the period they are unable to work or carry out their usual activities. Medical assistance fees, such as pharmaceutical and dental expenses, and travel fees are compensable. Social and professional reintegration fees including psychotherapy, moving, home care or training could be covered. If there are permanent consequences, compensation shall be proportional to the rate of physical or psychological disability.
Victim Services
http://www.justice.gouv.qc.ca/english/publications/generale/rec-ress-a.htm
Crime Victims Compensation
http://www.ivac.qc.ca/EN_acts.asp
Saskatchewan
Legislation
Saskatchewan’s Victims of Crime Act provides for the existence of the Victims Fund, which collects federal and provincial surcharges. The Victims Fund provides funding for the majority of victim services in Saskatchewan.
Services
Saskatchewan has established a network of police-based Victim Services Programs, which serve approximately 83% of the population. These programs provide information, support and assistance to victims of crime and traumatic events, and they include specialized Aboriginal Resource Officers and programs funded primarily for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Saskatchewan also provides Victim Witness programs through crown prosecutor offices, Victims Compensation Program and the Restitution Program. Support is also provided for several specialized victim services programs, as well as research and education. There are also a wide variety of Aboriginal initiatives focused on family violence, victims’ initiatives in northern communities, and Urban Aboriginal Crime Prevention.
Compensation
A victim of a criminal act, a victim injured or killed as a result of assisting a peace officer and victim dependants may receive up to $25,000 maximum award. Compensable expenses include medical, dental, optometry and chiropractic expenses, prescriptions, wages or salary lost, funeral expenses, ambulance costs and counselling.
Victim Services
http://www.justice.gov.sk.ca/victimsservices
Compensation
http://www.justice.gov.sFederalk.ca/VS-Compensation
Services
Policy Centre for Victim Issues - Department of Justice
The Policy Centre for Victim Issues develops policy and laws and works to ensure victim perspectives are continually reflected in policies and legislation. PCVI also raises awareness among victims of their role in the criminal justice system and increases awareness about the needs of victims of crime in Canada.
Services
The Policy Centre for Victim Issues administers the Victims Fund, which provides direct, limited, emergency financial assistance to:
- Individual victims of crime in exceptional circumstances for emergency situations of undue hardship where no other source of financial assistance is available;
- A victim or family of a victim to attend a National Parole Board hearing;
- Family members of victims of homicide who incur expenses to attend Criminal Code section 745.6 early parole eligibility hearings; and
- Canadians victimized abroad, or their family members, to return to Canada or to travel to attend court proceedings in the country where the crime occurred
National Parole Board
The National Parole Board has a team of Communications Officers in each region to provide information and services to victims. Registered Victims can obtain a copy of NPD decisions, present victim impact statements at NPB hearings and attend hearings as observers. Communications Officers are also available to attend NPB hearings with victims.
Correctional Service of Canada
The Correctional Service of Canada, through the Victim Services Program, has dedicated regional Victim Services Managers and Victim Services Officers who are responsible for managing information and services to victims of offenders under federal jurisdiction.
CSC also offers victim-offender mediation. The mediation process is entirely voluntary and more information can be obtained by calling (613)-947-7309.
Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
On April 23, 2007, Steve Sullivan was named the first ever Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime focuses exclusively to matters within federal responsibility and is mandated to:
- facilitate access of victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals;
- address complaints of victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that apply to victims of offenders under federal supervision and providing an independent resource for those victims;
- enhance awareness among criminal justice personnel and policy makers of the needs and concerns of victims and the applicable laws that benefit victims of crime, including to promote the principles set out in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime; and
- Identify emerging issues and exploring systemic issues that impact negatively on victims of crime.
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