SNAPSHOTS Hello
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
January 2007 Volume 14, Issue 1 SNAPSHOTS Hello, PROJECT FUNDING Welcome to the JANUARY issue of the National Justice DEADLINE Network Update. As always, our goal is to provide you with APPROACHES updates on what bills have been introduced; what stages they The Policy Centre for are at; who is doing what for victims; and what is happening in Victims of Crime has areas such as young offenders, high risk offenders, conditional announced a call for release and victims' rights. applications for funding of activities for National Victim This month’s articles were written by the CRCVC’s volunteer of Crime Awareness Week Laura Tanner and Carleton University Criminology Student (April 22- 28, 2007). There Katie O’Sullivan. Thank you, Laura and Katie! is limited funding available that is intended to support Please do not hesitate to contact the office should you have awareness-raising events any problems or concerns. during the week. Events may include workshops, Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime information sessions, public Visit: http://www.crcvc.ca awareness kiosks, and Email: [email protected] flyers/brochures. Budgets Phone: 1.877.232.2610 cannot exceed $5000, applications will be _______________________________________________ considered on a first-come, CANADA GETS NEW JUSTICE MINISTER first-served basis, and must be submitted by February Canada’s new justice minister and Attorney General, Rob 9th, 2007. For more Nicholson, has vowed to continue the Conservative Party’s law information, please contact and order platform, pushing for tougher sentences and the PCVI at increased protection for law-abiding Canadians. http://canada.justice.gc.ca/ en/ps/voc/index.html. “This effort to make our streets and communities safer is really one of the government’s priorities. There won’t be any doubt PETITION TO CHANGE about it,” Nicholson said following the Conservative PAROLE RULES Government’s first cabinet shuffle since taking power almost a The Prioriello family of year ago. Brampton, Ontario, whose daughter and sister Darlene Nicholson takes on the responsibility for all Justice bills were murdered in 1982, introduced last year by former Justice Minister Vic Toews – has started a petition to including three high profile bills – C-9 which seeks to end the have the rules regarding use of conditional sentences for people convicted of serious parole eligibility for those crimes; C -10, regarding mandatory jail time for criminals who convicted of murder use guns; and C-22, regarding raising the age of sexual changed. The Criminal consent to 16 years from 14. Code and Corrections and Conditional Release Act “There are a number of bills that have my attention. Certainly, currently allows an offender I’ll want to do what I can to get those things through,” he said, the opportunity for a adding that he would like to see them become laws prior to an hearing every two years election being called. following his eligibility date. 1 The petition asks that the “It’s reasonable to assume this isn’t the end of our anti-crime legislation be amended to package. In terms of exactly what we’re going to be doing, permit hearings only every that’s what I’m getting briefings on right now. And, of course, I’ll five years. If you wish to have my own ideas in that regard.” show your support by circulating or signing the It was “a thrill” to be appointed to the justice portfolio, said the petition, it can be 54-year old lawyer who ran his practice from a Queen Street downloaded at office before going into politics. Nicholson has represented the www.crcvc.ca. Please note Niagara Falls riding in the House of Commons since 2004. He that original signatures are was also an MP from 1984 to 1993 in the governments of Brian required, electronic Mulroney and Kim Campbell. He served as parliamentary signatures are not valid. secretary to the justice minister when Kim Campbell was the minister in the early 1990’s, and was responsible for THERAPY FOR FAMILIES shepherding new laws against prostitution and child OF MURDER VICTIMS pornography at that time. The Manitoba government has announced that it will Prime Minister Harper described Nicholson as “very competent be funding a pilot project in very important tasks”, adding that “he could operate in any that offers group therapy to portfolio.” the families of murder victims. Attorney General Former Justice Minister Vic Toews was moved to the Treasury Dave Chomiak pledged Board as a result of the shuffle, which saw eight ministers $40, 000 to the project, change portfolios, and five new junior cabinet positions created. which aims to provide No Ministers were removed from Cabinet. counselling to _______________________________________________ approximately 24 people in LEGAL AID CLAIMING VICTIMS’ COMPENSATION its pilot year. Therapy will be provided at the Aurora In August, NJN wrote about Lisa, a victim of crime who was Family Therapy Centre; an awarded $25,000 from Ontario’s Criminal Injuries agency located in the Compensation Board (CICB) for a “severe and catastrophic” University of Winnipeg, and amount of “pain and suffering”. Upon receiving her award, Lisa will be facilitated by experts was billed by Ontario’s Attorney General for $8000 of legal in the field of trauma and services she had received. trauma recovery. More recently, it has come to the CRCVC’s attention that this is GUN CRIMES ON THE not an isolated case, that victims of crime who have received RISE IN MANITOBA awards from the CICB are having these awards claimed by Police in Manitoba have Legal Aid. For example, one woman received an award from expressed concern about CICB related to abuse she suffered from her husband, but the number of crimes Legal Aid is demanding that she pay them much of what she committed with firearms, received to re-coup costs associated to the custody of her and the number of guns in children. She was intending on using her compensation award the hands of criminals. to address the significant debt she has acquired a result of Over the past three years, escaping an abusive situation with her children. police have seen an increase in gun crimes and The Criminal Injuries Compensation Act states that money paid in guns being smuggled as compensation is not subject to garnishment and is not into Winnipeg, some from income. As such, the CRCVC believes that Legal Aid’s claims the United States. Police to these fees are in violation of this Act. The CRCVC has note that guns are also written to the Attorney General of Ontario to request that becoming more common as immediate action be taken to prevent further garnishment of drug trade becomes more 2 victims’ awards. organized, which are _______________________________________________ controlled by gangs like the QUEBEC REAFFIRMS AID TO DAWSON COLLEGE Hells Angels. VICTIMS In 2006, nine people were killed by firearms in The Quebec government has reaffirmed its pledge to offer Manitoba. Over the past support to the families of the victims from the shooting at three years, 22 firearms- Dawson’s College, which took place last September. This related deaths were promise of support comes following the public outcry by one recorded. family for help. CRCVC ASKS TO The parents of Jessica Albert, who spent 9 days in intensive PRESENT TO PIPEDA care after being shot in the abdomen, appealed to Premier REVIEW Jean Charest for both moral and financial aid. In an open letter The Standing Committee to La Presse, the girl’s parents, Danielle Lachaine and Francois on Access to Information, Albert say, “Three months after this drama, we have received Privacy and Ethics is no aid.” undertaking a review of the Personal Information The Premier promised to help the victims in the hours following Protection and Electronic the shooting. The public uproar prompted Mr. Charest to order Documents Act (PIPEDA), Justice Minister Yvon Marcoux to contact Jessica’s parents and and the CRCVC has offer assistance. formally requested permission to make an oral “I can’t understand what happened. Immediately after the presentation as part of the shooting we made sure everyone had access to necessary review. Given the CRCVC’s support services. I now realize that not everyone was able to efforts to ensure better access those services. I want to know why,” said Mr. Marcoux. protection for children from internet sexual exploitation, Since the shooting, Albert’s parents say that they have been left our awareness of the to fend for themselves. Ms. Lachaine had to quit her job, and is potential impact that currently on unemployment insurance. Mr. Albert has been PIPEDA is having on law forced to work longer hours in order to support the family, who enforcement’s ability to has 3 other children as well. The couple’s other children have identify child sexual also suffered due to the shooting, each of whom have suffered predators who use the from post-traumatic stress and have been “unable to function Internet to victimize normally.” children, and the fact that no one has spoken up for Mr. Marcoux said that there may be other families like Ms. the privacy of those Albert’s who require immediate assistance, and has contacted children whose images are Dawson College’s director to help create a list of such families. being viewed daily by Mr. Marcoux recognizes that the Dawson shooting is an sexual predators for their exceptional case that would perhaps require financial own personal satisfaction, assistance for some parents. “These people suffered an awful we feel that we must trauma. We will take care of them,” Mr. Marcoux promised, appear before the adding that each case would be examined individually.