Justice committee  Victims are witnesses in the justice system. They are on the periphery of the system. Victims have to be more familiar with the Victims Bill of Rights so they are able to exercise those rights before various bodies, for example, before administrative tribunals like the Commission

Justice committee  That would be a good idea. About a decade ago, the Policy Centre for Victim Issues set up an advisory committee. It provided a place where very worthwhile discussions took place all across Canada. That is something we are missing, in fact: being able to exchange ideas with repre

Justice committee  I agree with Ms. Owens, because it does not meet all victims' needs. Some victims want to follow all the proceedings, including when the sentence is being served. Others do not want to follow them, because it is too complicated for them and they are not psychologically up to it.

Justice committee  The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime does not have a lot of employees, as compared to the Office of the Correctional Investigator. Its staff would need to be expanded so that it can fulfil its mandate and reach everyone. Particular attention also needs to be

Justice committee  First, there is a need in connection with data collection, as the Ombudsman wisely pointed out in her report. Information should be exchanged more widely among the provinces and territories. It is not reasonable that seven years after the CVBR was adopted we do not have an idea

Justice committee  A lot of programs are being created to train workers. The federal government has made a lot of investments in the provinces and territories for training. It is important to do that, but there has to be general training and targeted training. What the federal government funds shou

Justice committee  That is a difficult question. You have raised an important problem. We cannot help but be moved by the situation of these children and spouses. We have a responsibility to put programs in place to help these people, which might fall under Correctional Service Canada, for example

Justice committee  I would like to make a proposal. The federal government could re-examine its position regarding compensation. Until 1992, it support the compensation schemes throughout Canada. Then it stopped. If that support were restored, it would certainly meet the needs felt by many victims