Letter addressed to the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc regarding the OFOVC's Response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) report Improving Support for Victims of Crime

February 22, 2024

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc,
Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs
80 Wellington Street 
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A3

Re: Notification of Upcoming Response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) report Improving Support for Victims of Crime

Dear Minister LeBlanc,

I am writing to inform you that the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) is ready to submit a detailed response to Improving Support for Victims of Crime which was released by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST) in December 2022. Our response, entitled Worthy of Information and Respect , is attached to this message, and has already been shared with the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, the Honourable Arif Virani.

Over the past year, the OFOVC meticulously examined the recommendations put forth by the JUST Committee. Our review process included consultation with victims and survivors of crime from across Canada, criminal justice professionals, victim service providers, advocacy organizations, and discussions with federal agencies that have responsibilities related to our recommendations. We also consulted with our Academic Advisory Circle and Frontline Service Provider Advisory Circle. Our response is grounded within these perspectives, containing first-hand evidence and expertise.

We recognize the sensitivity surrounding terminology used to describe people who have been harmed by crime. We have used the word “victim” throughout our response because of its connection to criminal law and victims’ rights.

Earlier versions of our response were shared with federal stakeholders who could be responsible for the implementation of recommendations or who could feel that they were portrayed negatively. We provided opportunities for dialogue and comments which we have aimed to reflect fairly.

From Public Safety Canada, we incorporated feedback from the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), the Parole Board of Canada (PBC), and the National Office for Victims.

From Justice Canada, we incorporated feedback from the Minister’s Office, Deputy Minister, Policy Sector, and Policy Centre for Victim Issues.

One of the most encouraging challenges we experienced was how much action we saw following the circulation of earlier drafts. Bill S-12 integrated earlier recommendations as well as advice we provided directly to the Justice Minister’s Office, and we also saw direct improvements in victim services at CSC and PBC. Victims’ rights in Canada are still early in their development, and we believe that listening to the concerns of victims and survivors can help us do better.

I appreciate the humility and strength of leaders who know we can do better as we listen and learn.

Systemic Investigation on Victim Participation with the Parole Board of Canada

The JUST Committee recommended that the Government of Canada examine, through consultation with victims and community organizations, how to make the parole board process more conducive to victims’ and family participation (recommendation 9).

In our response, we note our plans to launch a systemic investigation on victim participation in PBC hearings and reviews, which we will undertake in the 2024-25 fiscal year. I am undertaking this review pursuant to section 6(2) of the Terms and Conditions of Employment of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

We hope to approach this collaboratively with PBC as a shared learning exercise. This is similar to the role our Office has played as Special Advisor to the CSC Multidisciplinary Committee which was formed to review how CSC provides victim notifications on prison transfers. I recently met with PBC Chairperson Jennifer Oades, and was impressed with her commitment to improving federal services for victims. Equally, our Office recognizes that PBC has been conducting an internal review of their complaint process for victims. Recent responses to victim complaints have been more trauma informed and victim-centred in the tone and language used.

We look forward to collaborating with PBC to strengthen the implementation of victims’ legislated rights.

I believe we are at a turning point in the development of victims’ rights.

Moving from “what do we have to do?” towards “what are we able to do?”, I believe that shift is central to meaningful justice for victims of crime, offering a compassionate and inclusive way forward.

I would welcome an opportunity to meet with you in the coming months to brief you on the work our Office is doing that aligns with your portfolio and mandate.

Yours sincerely,

Dr. Benjamin Roebuck
Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime

Encl. (1)

CC: The Honourable Arif Virani,
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Jennifer Oades, Chairperson, Parole Board of Canada

Anne Kelly, Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Response

May 15, 2024

Dr. Benjamin Roebuck, Ph.D.
Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime
240 Sparks Street
P.O. Box 55037
Ottawa, Ontario K1P 1A1

Dear Dr. Roebuck:

Thank you for your letter dated February 22, 2024, sharing your response to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights’ report on Improving Support for Victims of Crime, entitled: “Worthy of Information and Respect”.

Thank you for noting the work that Federal partners were doing while you were consulting on earlier drafts of your response. We know that there is more work to be done. Our Government is strongly committed to meeting the needs of victims of crime and giving them a more effective voice in the criminal justice and correctional system.

Public confidence in the criminal justice system is essential to ensuring access to justice for all victims of crime and a safe and resilient Canada. This includes the administration of Federal sentences by the Correctional Service Canada (CSC), and conditional release decisions made by the Parole Board of Canada (PBC). To this end, I look forward to reviewing the recommendations contained in your response.

You also mention in your letter your intention to undertake a systemic investigation of victim participation with the PBC. I have no doubt that the PBC will work closely to collaborate with your office to review victim participation in parole hearings in 2024-25, and I look forward to hearing the results.

The PBC continues to advance and evolve its victim program, to ensure transparency, accessibility, and clarity around victim participation.

Thank you for taking the time to raise this issue with me directly and for your ongoing commitment to ensuring that victims can have greater access to the criminal justice process.

Yours sincerely,

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, P.C., K.C., M.P.

C.C.: The Honourable Arif Virani, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Jennifer Oades
Chairperson
Parole Board of Canada

Anne Kelly
Commissioner
Correctional Service Canada