Justice Committee on June 15th, 2026

[Evie Ali]

Absolutely. The victim should always remain the priority.

However, when we started to really dive into things and look at the number of victims accessing the restitutions available to them versus what is actually available, we noticed that a very small number are equipped to access or navigate the steps. Some just aren't aware that those steps are even available to them.

It's always important to keep the victim on the front line. This bill simply recognizes that agencies are also absorbing costs.

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

Thank you, Ms. Ali.

[Evie Ali]

Again, we're not a legal agency, so I can't speak to the legal framework of this. I can only speak to what we experience.

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

Thank you, Ms. Ali.

Ms. Scarpellini, I have the same question for you.

How do you think the requests of victims should be aligned with those of organizations?

[Cristina Scarpellini]

Could you repeat the question?

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

I was saying that, currently, victims can receive restitution when their offender is convicted. The bill would add restitution to organizations.

How do you think the requests of victims should be aligned with those of organizations?

Is there an order of priority?

[Cristina Scarpellini]

I'm sorry, I don't understand the question.

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

Okay.

I'll move on to another question.

Which province do you work in?

[Cristina Scarpellini]

I work in Ontario.

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

Do you receive subsidies from the Ontario provincial government or the Canadian government?

[Cristina Scarpellini]

We receive funding from the Canadian government, but just for one-year projects.

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

You know that, at present, there are what are called “surcharges” that are imposed when someone has a conviction. The proceeds from the surcharges are used by the government precisely to fund the activities of organizations that help victims.

How do you see that?

In your opinion, are the surcharges not high enough? Here, we're multiplying the categories.

How do you see the situation in that regard?

[Cristina Scarpellini]

May I answer in English?

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

Yes, of course.

[Cristina Scarpellini]

Okay.

Excuse me, my earpiece isn't working properly.

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

Madam Chair, could we suspend the meeting to allow the witness to resolve her earpiece issue?

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

Absolutely.

Could I ask IT about any challenges, please?

In the meantime, Monsieur Fortin, do you have questions for other witnesses? Maybe we can come back to this question for this witness once we figure out the IT.

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

Yes, I'll continue with Ms. Ali. Thank you, Madam Chair.

Ms. Ali, do you see the issue on your end?

Do you receive funding under the surcharge program?

[Evie Ali]

We do not.

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

I would also like to discuss another topic with you.

Would it be fair to say that the most important thing for victims, for your clientele, is to have a trial that takes place within a reasonably short time frame and that is also concluded within a reasonable period of time?

[Evie Ali]

I think that would be presumptuous for us to assume for everybody. I don't think I have an appropriate answer. That's out of my scope.

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

I would also have asked Ms. Scarpellini that question.

Those are the issues I wanted to address, Madam Chair. I'd like to come back to Ms. Scarpellini once her microphone is working again.

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

Perhaps Ms. Scarpellini can answer the question in writing to the committee.

Would that be something that you'd be comfortable with, Monsieur Fortin?

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

I might be comfortable with that, Madam Chair.

The only issue is that, as you know, we'll be doing clause-by-clause in half an hour. I don't see how a written answer that I will clearly receive at some later date—this week or next week—will be of any use to me. It will therefore be too late.

[The Chair, Liberal, Iqra Khalid]

I understand.

Ms. Scarpellini, can you try to answer now? Is your sound a little better?