Human Resources committee  My agency was founded in 1992. We opened in 1993. The Canadian Police Association is the group that started us. They still house us in their offices here in Ottawa. We work with victims impacted by all types of serious crime, so anything from fraud to domestic violence to homicide.

Human Resources committee  Yes, I would absolutely agree. I would add that I still really see it as a hidden problem, a problem we're not comfortable talking about. Victims certainly don't report it immediately, and it takes a long time to get the support or get to the point where you feel you can access a shelter, perhaps, and finally leave.

Human Resources committee  I am aware of the one that was, I think, brought forward in the media a lot around this bill. I believe her name is Ms. Fetterkind, whose father murdered her mother. It's quite an old case now, but she understood that he had been receiving a spousal benefit for something like 28 years while he was incarcerated.

Human Resources committee  Yes, absolutely.

Human Resources committee  I don't have any others that I can address at this time.

Human Resources committee  No.

Human Resources committee  Yes. I would say that absolutely, it's important that the children be able to access the benefits as orphans through a guardian if they're underage, and that the money not be collected by the person who's incarcerated. I'll let Lenore speak to the broader issue of supporting victims on a daily basis, because I know that's what she's doing.

Human Resources committee  I think I did read in the debates of the House that the government was going to be encouraging groups to come forward if they had information to share with the federal programs responsible for giving benefits. I think that's something we could do. Locally, for example, groups like the Sexual Assault Centre in Hamilton, if they're tracking cases locally, could ensure that they sent a follow-up message to CPP and OAS, and things like that—and the same with groups like mine.

Human Resources committee  Thank you so much for inviting the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime to appear before you. We have come here today to voice the support of our board of directors for the amendments proposed in Bill C-591. It is our understanding that this bill will amend the Canada Pension Plan and the Old Age Security Act to deny CPP survivor benefits and the OAS allowance to people convicted of murdering their spouse, common-law partner, or parent.

Justice committee  I don't know that I have enough knowledge to speak about that. I understand that it's a risk reduction sort of model. Of course, trying to prevent any further violence from happening is what the review boards are trying to do. I think the last witness said something like it doesn't predict the severity of future recidivism.

Justice committee  I absolutely agree with that. Obviously it is in all of society's interest to ensure that people get medication and get stabilized and do not commit such acts again. There are many people who can return to the community but there are certain very violent individuals who will have to remain in a hospital setting for the rest of their lives and that's just a fact.

Justice committee  Yes, I think it is a definite good first step. I think there are more improvements that we can make. We've lent our support to this as hopefully improving the voice that victims have and ensuring their safety concerns are met. This is a good first step. Avoiding revictimization altogether will be very difficult in any sort of criminal justice or mental health process, just by its nature.

Justice committee  In terms of NCR-accused, right now it can be very difficult for family members to actually attend hearings on an annual basis because there is no travel fund, as there is for federal parole hearings. If you're a family member who lives in Ontario but an accused person was found NCR in Alberta and the hearing is being held in the hospital out there, you would have to travel on an annual basis and cover those costs to be present at the hearing.

Justice committee  Yes, absolutely. It's really critical information for a lot of people who want to have an assurance of where the person is or the vicinity. Sometimes you might just know they're in a city like Ottawa, for example, or they're allowed to travel into a city on a pass or for a certain escorted period, something like that.

Justice committee  Thank you. I represent the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime and I'm grateful for the opportunity to appear before you this afternoon. The CRCVC is a national, non-profit, non-government advocacy group for persons impacted by serious crime. We provide resources and emotional support to victims across the country, as well as advocating for public safety and improved services and rights for crime victims.