NEWS
QUEEN’S PARK – Today, Ted Chudleigh, MPP Halton and PC Critic to the Attorney General moved a Motion at the Legislative Committee on Justice Policy which, in line with recommendations made by former Chief Justice Roy McMurtry in 2008, called for a review of Ontario’s Victims’ Justice Fund.
The Motion would have allowed the Justice Committee to examine the revenues and expenditures from the Victims’ Justice Fund and recommend performance measures to the Legislative Assembly ensuring that, in the future, the needs of victims of crime are addressed.
The Liberal Government voted against the Motion in a shameful display of partisanship that will only hurt victims of crime. Indeed, when commenting on the language of the Motion which echoed the recommendations of the Hourable Roy McMurtry, the Parliamentary Secretary claimed the Motion was partisan. Nothing can be further from the truth.
Voting against the Motion was a clear signal of where the McGuinty Liberals stand. Their decision to vote against the PC Motion hurt the democratic process in Ontario, our justice system and victims of crime.
QUOTES
“Today, the Liberal Government disgraced the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Their unacceptable display of partisanship on such a serious matter was shameful at best. To victims of crime, such as Liz Hoage, all I can say is a PC Government will address the needs of crime victims. We will not allow the existing barriers in victims’ services to go unaddressed like this Government continues to do.”
Ted Chudleigh, MPP (Halton), PC Critic to the Attorney General and Legislative Committee on Justice Policy Member
“I was disappointed in the McGuinty Liberals today. This was an opportunity for MPPs to show Ontario families how the Legislative Assembly supports their interests. Instead, Liberal Members brought partisan politics into the Committee and failed everyone. The Committee could have supported victims of crime and improved Ontario’s victims’ services. Instead, because of the McGuinty Liberals, we are unable to do anything.”
Christine Elliott, MPP (Whitby-Oshawa) and Legislative Committee on Justice Policy Member
FACTS
The PC Motion reads as follows: “I move, – That the Standing Committee on Justice Policy undertake a comprehensive study that summarizes the revenues and expenditures from the Victims’ Justice Fund, since 2003, and identifies performance measures to be used to assess the effectiveness of the Victims’ Justice Fund’s financial allocations in the future. Ted Chudleigh, MPP”
The Liberal government has been criticized twice in the past for failing to support victims of crime at the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board and for carrying significant surpluses in the Victims’ Justice Fund. First, in 2007, they were criticized by the Ombudsman and, secondly, in 2008 in a report by Chief Justice Roy McMurtry.
PC Party Leader Tim Hudak has promised to release the Victims’ Justice Fund surplus to victims and law enforcement agencies; ensure the definition the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board uses to determine compensation reflects the needs of victims; and ensure significant representation on the CICB for victims.
