Justice Committee on June 3rd, 2021

[Kirstan Gagnon]

They do, yes.

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Of the enumerated rights under the legislation, what would you say has been the biggest? If I can put it this way, which “right” has served to be the most beneficial and had the most use since the legislation was passed in 2015?

Ms. Morency.

[Carole Morency]

If I might take a stab at part of the answer, we are still awaiting some research that's in the process of being wrapped up, so we hope to get some better information on that in the months to come.

One of the things that was really important in the development of what became the CVBR is there were quite a few consultations held by the government—the minister at the time—with Canadians, the victims themselves and victim-serving organizations. One of the issues that was incredibly important to them was information along the continuum of the criminal justice process, and being able to participate, to be consulted and engaged by police and Crown on the progress of their case throughout the system.

To the extent that those were important in developing the CVBR and that the CVBR recognizes those rights and enhances the opportunity to receive that, I would say it has been successful, but we await the research.

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

This is an unfair question with 20 seconds left perhaps. Does the legislation apply to family members of victims of crimes that have been committed abroad? If so, what is your experience with dealing with that? Maybe somebody could just answer the first part of that question.

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

May I continue? I'm hearing a....

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

That was my timer, but you could give a quick answer. I'm sure the chair will—

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

Answer very briefly. Thank you.

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Those who are victimized abroad have funding through the federal victims fund to help support them, and the Province of Quebec has just amended their provincial victim legislation, which has just come to pass and will be in force by the fall. They now recognize and will be providing services to victims who are victimized abroad so that they can have full services offered at the provincial level when the victim returns to the province of Quebec, their province of residence.

[James Maloney, Liberal, Etobicoke—Lakeshore, ON]

Thank you.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

Thank you very much, Mr. Maloney.

We'll now go to Monsieur Fortin for two and a half minutes.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

I apologize in advance if I'm rude and proceed quickly. As I said, a two‑and‑a‑half‑minute round starts before you even begin.

I would like Ms. Bouchard or Ms. Morency to tell us about the services offered.

I liked Mr. Maloney's question about the families of convicted individuals, but I would add “abroad” to it. For example, would a mother whose son had been charged and convicted in a foreign country and detained there have access to services to help her defend her son and apply for transfers here in Canada?

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Each province and territory has its own support service, since each is responsible for direct service to victims. There are different agencies, different measures and different programs. It's very varied.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

With respect to the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, you were saying that the definition was quite broad. A victim is defined as an individual who has suffered harm as the result of the commission or alleged commission of an offence. In my view, this should indeed include the families of criminals as well as those of the victims of crime, or indeed anyone who suffers the consequences associated with it.

I want to make sure that you understand that this exists and that it's a given. Federal funding to the provinces includes assistance to the families of convicted persons. Is that how you understand it?

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Are you referring to people who have been convicted in Canada only or abroad?

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

If there's a distinction, you can make it, because I'm interested in both.

What I'm really interested in is what's being done for the families of people who are convicted.

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Victim services are varied and widespread across the country and come in many forms.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Do you get a lot of requests each year from families of people who have been convicted? Is it frequent?

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Unfortunately, I'm unable to answer that question.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Perhaps Ms. Morency would be able to do so, but she's shaking her head. So no one here can answer that question.

To your knowledge, should amendments be made to the charter as it stands? Do you find the text satisfactory?

[Stéphanie Bouchard]

Excuse me, but I'm having technical problems. I think my network is the problem.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Since I have just a few seconds left, would Ms. Morency be able to—

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

My apologies.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

Madam Chair—

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

You don't have a few seconds left at all, Monsieur Fortin.

[Rhéal Fortin, Bloc, Rivière-du-Nord, QC]

The technical problems lasted almost a minute. You will understand that this is quite a long time, given the two and a half minutes I was allotted.