QUEEN’S PARK- Today, Ontario PC Leader Tim Hudak was joined by the founders of the Canadian Crime Victims Foundation to announce that at an Ontario PC Government will make three significant changes to ensure that victims of violent crime receive the support that they need and deserve. “Dalton McGuinty recently said crime is not a priority of his government. It’s clear, victims of crime are not a priority of his either. Today, I am proud to announce an Ontario PC government will give victims of crime the respect they deserve,” stated Hudak.
Hudak revealed today that the McGuinty government continues withhold tens of millions of dollars in support contained in the Victims Justice Fund, including a $31 million surplus last year. What’s worse, victims of violent crime like Liz Hoage, who also joined Hudak today, are being denied support while the McGuinty government withholds millions in funding.
Hudak said he would release the Victims’ Justice Fund surplus to victims and hardworking law enforcement agencies. Secondly, an Ontario PC government would ensure the definition the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) uses to determine compensation reflects the needs of victims. Finally, he said that he will ensure significant representation on the CICB for victims.
“Public Accounts show the Victims’ Justice Fund ran a $31 million dollar surplus in 2010. What’s worse, Dalton McGuinty was criticized over four years ago for withholding these surpluses when there were victims of crime in need of support,” Hudak charges. While victims were being denied compensation by the CICB, because they did not meet the criteria for claimants, the McGuinty Liberals were sitting on a $31.4 million surplus in the Victims’ Justice Fund.
According to the PCs, “The Liberal government was criticized twice before for not supporting victims through the CICB and for carrying significant surpluses in the Victims’ Justice Fund. First by the Ombudsman in 2007 and then by Chief Justice Roy McMurtry in 2008”.
Hudak stated, “The Liberal government said they would take McMurty’s report seriously but have failed to make the simple changes that would give victims the support they need”.