Victims of Crime in Alberta Receive Further Federal Support

CALGARY, ALBERTA--(Marketwire - Aug. 14, 2012) - Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Q.C., M.P. for Delta-Richmond East and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide program funding to support victims of crime in Alberta. Ms. Findlay was accompanied by the Honourable Jonathan Denis, Q.C., Minister of Justice and Solicitor General of Alberta.

"Our Government has taken a strong position to advance the interests of victims of crime," said Ms. Findlay. "We are committed to helping victims move forward by providing them with the support and tools that they need. I am pleased to see this funding is directed towards remote communities in Alberta where victims face unique challenges."

Speaking in Calgary, Ms. Findlay announced $953,282 to Alberta Victim Services, within the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General, for the training of victim services workers. The funding will also enhance victim services in 12 northern Aboriginal communities, all of which are experiencing high levels of violent crime and victimization.

"I would like to thank the Government of Canada for this important funding, which will help us continue to provide victims of crime with excellent services," said Minister Denis. "Victims deserve to be put first, and this funding will enable us to continue to support them as they rebuild their lives."

The Government has allocated more than $90 million over the past six years for initiatives that benefit victims of crime. Funds are available to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations for programs and services that give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.

Internet: www.justice.gc.ca

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BACKGROUNDER:

FEDERAL VICTIMS STRATEGY AND VICTIMS FUND

Since 2007, when the Government announced the Federal Victims Strategy, more than $90 million has been committed to respond to the needs of victims of crime. Most recently, in Economic Action Plan 2012, the Government committed an additional $5 million over five years for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres, bringing the total federal Government commitment to Child Advocacy Centres to $10.25 million.

The objective of the Strategy, which is led by the Department of Justice Canada, is to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Policy Centre for Victim Issues at the Department of Justice works in close collaboration with federal colleagues as well as victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers and others involved in the criminal justice system. The Department of Justice develops legal policy and criminal law reform, funds various programs for victims of crime, and shares information about issues of importance to victims of crime.

Within the Federal Victim Strategy, the Victims Fund is a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice. Funds are available each year to fund provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations whose projects, activities and operations support the objectives of the Federal Victims Strategy.

The Victims Fund funds projects and activities that:

• enhance victim assistance programs across Canada;
• promote access to justice and participation in the justice system and the development of law, policies, and programs;
• promote the implementation of principles, guidelines, and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate their role in the criminal justice system;
• contribute to increased knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs, and legislation; and
• promote, encourage and/or enhance governmental and non-governmental organizations' involvement in the identification of victim needs and gaps in services and in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity building within non-governmental organizations.

More information is available on the Department of Justice Canada's website.