Justice Committee on Nov. 18th, 2010

[Susan O'Sullivan]

At that stage, I would be cautious about the words “working with”.

This office has, for example, one report in which we are actually making recommendations. These are recommendations for changes to the CCRA, 13 of them. So we have tools to discuss some of the things we believe are required for change, to better support victims needs.

One of the biggest issues is communication. There are a lot of people doing a lot of great things with the victims, including governments. I have met with many members from different parties, and I am getting input from them. On top of that, we have the tools we need to make those recommendations.

In this office, because of the nature of our mandate, a lot of our complaints involve CSC and the parole board. Within the last three years CSC has launched a victims initiative. It is important to have open lines of communication and to look at some of the commonalities that will allow us to listen to each other and identify the challenges. I've been heartened by the conversations I've had with different agencies about their commitment to do more for victims of crime.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

We've completed the first round. There appears to be some consensus developing here. Ms. O'Sullivan is also here on Bill S-6. We could go into that part of our meeting right now, if you wish. It gives you more time for that.

[A voice]

Non, j'ai une question.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

You have another question?

[A voice]

Oui.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Okay. We have about ten minutes left. We'll start with the Liberals.

Mr. Lee, is it? Five minutes.

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Thank you.

Ms. O'Sullivan, your résumé and career with the Ottawa force are very impressive. I'm sure you'll have no difficulty on the management side.

When you got to your desk, I'm sure it had its share of administrative matters and press clippings and files in progress. I'm just curious, was there any legacy issue left over from your predecessor that was passed on to you on your desk?

Secondly, you've been there for about three months. Do you have a pet project yet? I know you're consulting and scoping into the future, but I'm just wondering if you had one that would relate to victims.

One, do you have any legacy matters that you're going to pursue? Two, do you have any pet projects?

[Susan O'Sullivan]

To your first question, obviously the recommendations to CCRA and Bill C-39 are a legacy issue. Looking forward, the former ombudsman was looking for support for the CACs, the child advocacy centres. That was achieved. The government did assist that way.

I think if you're asking me what the pet project is, it really is about the future strategic plan, the consultation, to make sure that we continue to build on this foundation so that we can start to build. It's not just bringing recommendations forward in consultation. One of the things we often fail to do is to complete that loop and that feedback to victims about what this office is doing, where those priorities that we're setting with them are, and to keep them in the loop about where we're going with that, how we're succeeding, to be able to answer and come before you at the end of my three years and say here's what we delivered on. So the project is really about the health of this office. There are hundreds of issues that victims have, and it's necessary to set those priorities and to work and use the energy of this office, the victims' organizations, and the victims in this country to help achieve those.

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

Thank you.

I'll share the balance of my time, if I can, with Mr. Kania.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Mr. Kania.

[Andrew Kania, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Congratulations and welcome.

On page 3 of your CV, you have “Membership—previous”, and then after that you indicate “Since my appointment as Federal Ombudsman for Victims”, etc., “I have resigned....”

Have you ever been involved with or a member of any political party?

[Susan O'Sullivan]

No.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

First of all, that's not a question that's permitted under the rules, believe it or not. Stay away from any questions about political donations or membership in political parties. It's straight out of O'Brien and Bosc.

[Derek Lee, Liberal, Scarborough—Rouge River, ON]

As a point of order, I don't want to take any time on this right now. I'm not so sure I understand the chair's suggestions. However, we don't have to deal with that now, and—

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

It has been answered. Just review page 1012 of O'Brien and Bosc. It's there in black and white.

[Andrew Kania, Liberal, Brampton West, ON]

Okay. In terms of your role, I have a two-part question. First, how do you envision your role federally with helping the actual victims' services groups and organizations on the ground locally? For example, there's a victims' services group in Brampton, where I am, and I'd like to know how you will be helping them directly.

On the second part of this, one of the major problems for victims would be, in my view, restitution orders and either the failure to get them or to get them in a reduced manner. So I'd like to know whether you're familiar with those issues and that problem, and at least whether you'd be willing to think about this and seek to do something, and if so, what that might be.

[Susan O'Sullivan]

I'm very familiar, having spent 30 years dealing with the issues at the front line and around providing those supports. That is the responsibility of the provinces and the territories, for the actual direct support and the delivery of those services.

What we can do is this office can work with key NGOs in different provinces. As you're well aware, there are national organizations, such as the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime, Victims of Violence, and in different provinces and territories. So we can link those national voices.

I have actually been in contact with some people in the provinces, and I'm being very careful not to step on or to try to do the job the provinces and territories have been equipped with. I think this office can play a strong role in linking voices among provinces and territories to bring some common strength and synergy to the main issues victims are coping with and dealing with.

You've highlighted an issue that, although not in the purview of this office, certainly is one I've been hearing about in every province I've been in.

[The Chair, Conservative, Ed Fast]

Thank you.

We'll move on to Mr. Lemay.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Congratulations, Madam, I think you are going to have a lot of work to do. I have three questions.

First of all, this is a three-year mandate. Is this mandate renewable?

[Susan O'Sullivan]

It is up to the government to decide.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

But in your contract, is it stipulated that it is renewable or is there no mention made of that aspect?

[Susan O'Sullivan]

It is not a contract; it is an appointment for a three-year period.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

Very well. You come under the Department of Public Safety?

[Susan O'Sullivan]

No, the Department of Justice, Mr. Nicholson's department.

[Marc Lemay, Bloc, Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC]

I beg your pardon. The Department of Justice and...