Justice committee  I have concerns that the victim impact statement is being edited to that extent, and that's the experience faced by survivors. I think victims need a greater voice and standing in the court process. I mentioned the option to become a third party. That way, they can have more involvement in the entire process from start to finish, and not just be submitting a statement at the end that gets vetted.

Justice committee  No, I don't. I think victims can choose whether they engage with that information or not, but at least people are being reached, especially people from historically marginalized communities who may not feel comfortable approaching government or various agencies. In the family law system there is a mandatory information program for people going through separation and divorce, at least in Ontario.

Justice committee  Unfortunately, I don't know the former ombudsman personally. I haven't had dealings with her in relation to the association. I could speak generally, perhaps, about my thoughts on that office. It needs to be properly funded, first of all. It needs to be effective. If you're going to expand the rights of victims in the bill of rights, there needs to be a corresponding expansion and agency with that office.

Justice committee  Yes. By the way, I love that you're speaking to me in French. We're in a bilingual country with two official languages. You're providing me with some challenges to recall some of my high school French, so thank you. With respect to a suite of services for victims, I have many ideas about that, but they would require greater input from victim services and legal aid service plans—and also, obviously, the budget that's available to fund these services.

Justice committee  I think it depends on the Crown prosecutor, first, but from my experience, there's a very limited relationship—hardly any. It's made very clear to the victim that the case is conducted by the Crown and they have very little say about the process. I think conversations with victims quite often happen right before the court appearance, because they're busy and overburdened.

Justice committee  Unfortunately, I can't speak to that question. The senator had to leave, and it was his proposal. I can't say that I know the workings of the House of Commons and the Department of Justice well enough to speak on that.

Justice committee  I can't speak to the bill specifically because I haven't reviewed it; however, speaking on a higher level about these issues, I would say there are rights that need to be balanced. For instance, there was recently a report done in the city of Toronto regarding the targeting of Black and indigenous people.

Justice committee  I made some suggestions, but I didn't get a chance to speak to some of the larger systemic problems and maybe where they flow from. What I'd like to see this government move in the direction of is eradicating poverty; implementing greater support for people with mental illness and mental challenges; implementing greater education and training for the judiciary and the police; providing supports for the next generation; taking into account intergenerational trauma and strengthening gun control, such as through Bill C-21.

Justice committee  Which report is that?

Justice committee  Oh, it was the one in the city of Toronto. Okay. I think data is always important; it's what you do with it, so I'd like to see action on that.

Justice committee  I applaud the government's swift action on this issue. I am aware of the decisions in R. v. Brown and R. v. Chan. Our association was at the technical reading of that bill, and at this stage all I can say is that we approve of the direction this government is going on it. I didn't believe in a separate defence of extreme intoxication, so at this point that's what I can say.

Justice committee  Thank you. I'm the past president of the Women's Law Association of Ontario. Since 1919, the WLAO has been dedicated to empowering women in the legal profession by providing a collective voice and advocating for equality, diversity and change. Our members practise in various areas of law, and we draw upon their expertise when we are asked to make submissions.