Government of Canada committed to a justice system that treats victims with compassion and respect
OTTAWA, May 28, 2018 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is working to ensure Canadians have a justice system that keeps communities safe, respects victims, protects the vulnerable and holds offenders to account.
Today, Marco Mendicino, Parliamentary Secretary to Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Mark Holland, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness helped launch the Government of Canada's 13th annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week with the theme of "Transforming the Culture Together".
Mr. Mendicino will open the 2018 National Victims and Survivors of Crime Week Federal Symposium in Gatineau, Quebec on behalf of the Minister of Justice. The week will focus on Gender-Based Violence. The Parliamentary Secretary will discuss the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and how the Government is working to transform the criminal justice system. He will share Canada's perspective on criminal justice reform, gender-based violence, supporting victims, and restorative justice, including some of the recent criminal justice reforms that have been introduced to help victims and their families.
Mr. Holland will close the Federal Symposium and reiterate Canada's support for victims and survivors of crime. He will speak about the importance of continuing efforts to combat crimes that impact women and girls disproportionately, such as human trafficking, online sexual exploitation of children and cyberbullying.
Quotes
"I want victims and their families, volunteers, and professionals serving victims, to know that their sacrifices will be met with action from this Government. We are committed to improving the criminal justice system and to ensuring that victims and survivors are treated with, the compassion, dignity and respect that they deserve."
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C. Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"Victims and Survivors of Crime Week allows us all to gain valuable insights into promising practices working towards ending gender-based violence, assisting victims and addressing root causes. Over my career, I've witnessed a significant growth in victim services and support in Canada. That's thanks to the groundswell of compassion, caring and sense of fairness we can count on from Canadians."
The Honourable Ralph Goodale, P.C. M.P.
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
"I am honoured to join the Symposium today to raise awareness about the issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services, programs and laws in place to help them and their families.
Marco Mendicino, M.P.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"I am grateful for this opportunity to highlight the great and important work of many people on the front-lines and behind the scenes including countless volunteers, professionals, and various government partners.
Mark Holland, M.P.
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
Quick Facts
- Victims and Survivors of Crime Week takes place May 28 to June 3, 2018.
- In 2017, the Government announced It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, which included over $100 million in funding over five years.
- Budget 2018 included an additional $86 million over five years to enhance the Strategy.
- The Victims Fund, which is comprised of $27.8 million for fiscal year 2017-2018, is a grants and contributions program of the Federal Victim Strategy available to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to support projects that address the needs of victims and survivors of crime.
- In fiscal year 2018-19, through the Victims Fund Justice Canada is funding more than 200 projects, worth over $1 million, across Canada for community based organizations to host their own events during Victims and Survivors of Crime Week.
Associated Links
- Victims and Survivors of Crime Week
- Symposium agenda
- National Office for Victims
- It's Time: Canada's Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence
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SOURCE Department of Justice Canada
For further information: media may contact: David Taylor, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Justice, 613-992-4621; Media Relations, Department of Justice Canada, 613-957-4207, [email protected]; Scott Bardsley, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]
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