HALIFAX, April 26, 2012 – The Government of Canada today announced that it will provide $350,000 to establish a Child Advocacy Centre in Halifax. In addition, the Government will contribute more than $2 million in funding to the provincial government for programs to support victims of crime across Nova Scotia. The announcement was made by the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, at the IWK Health Centre.
"Our Government is committed to keeping our streets and communities safe and providing victims - especially children - with the services and support that they need,
" said Minister Nicholson. "Children are even more vulnerable to the trauma of crime, and these funds will go a long way toward ensuring a stronger and more effective voice for young victims.
"
"For young Canadians who have suffered through abuse or who have witnessed a crime, it can be quite traumatic to navigate through the criminal justice system,
" stated Minister MacKay. "Our Government is taking action to ensure young victims in Nova Scotia have access to high-quality programs.
"
"We are pleased to receive federal support for these important programs that assist victims and their families,
" said Ross Landry, Nova Scotia's Minister of Justice. "This new funding will work to enhance existing services and supports to help victims of crime in Nova Scotia. These include helping victims to apply for restitution and prepare victim impact statements. Overall, our services help victims in more than 6,000 new cases a year,
" Mr. Landry added.
"We have the opportunity to do better for these children and families,
" said Dr. Amy Ornstein, Pediatrician, IWK Child Protection Team. "The demonstrated efficacy and efficiency of a Child Advocacy Centre model, as well as the growth of CACs internationally, provide us with a practical and beneficial approach that can make a real difference.
"
Both funding contributions announced today - more than $2 million for the Nova Scotia Department of Justice and $350,000 to create a CAC in Halifax - were provided through the Victims Fund, a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada. The Fund currently makes $11.6 million per year available to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations for programs and services to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.
More information about the Government's commitment to victims of crime can be found at www.victimsweek.gc.ca.
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