Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod invites all constituents to have their say in the creation of a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
The federal government is committed to standing up for victims of crime and ensuring victims have a more effective voice in the criminal justice system, McLeod says.
"These consultations are critical to identifying and recognizing how to better entrench the rights of victims into a single law at the federal level."
The consultation process follows up the government's commitment in February to enhance the rights of victims of crime by bringing forward legislation to implement a Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
McLeod says this legislation builds on her government's record of achievements in advancing the interests for victims of crime by entrenching their rights into a single law at the federal level.
These achievements include:
• The establishment of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.
• The creation of the Federal Victims Strategy, with more than $90 million allocated since 2007 for projects and services that help give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.
• The allocation of more than $10 million for new or enhanced Child Advocacy Centres since 2010 to address the needs of child and youth victims of crime.
• The introduction of legislation to double the victims' surcharge and make it mandatory; • The elimination of the faint-hope clause.
"These consultations offer a meaningful opportunity to provide input on how the criminal justice system should respond to victims,” McLeod explains.
Consultations open to the public will be hosted online until June 30, 2013.
Those interested in participating can visit the Department of Justice's website at www.justice.gc.ca for more information.