Feds announce victims’ bill of rights

(Update)

Prime Minister Stephen Harper took a step toward fulfilling a promise that his party had repeatedly made for over ten years. He announced the introduction of new legislation that will — in his words — put victims at the epicentre of the justice system. Improving victims rights and status in Canadian courts has been a key plank in Conservative party platforms since Harper came to power. But there are serious questions about whether the legislation introduced will fit the bill.

The Tories have no hesitation in hailing this as landmark legislation.

Stella Ambler is the Conservative MP for Mississauga South: “Today, we will change the course of history in Canada.”

Indeed — Peter McKay, the Justice Minister that helped to draw it up, called it: “This historic and important announcement”

But please — hold the hyperbole says Lori, a victim of violent crime: “And,  I hear victims who are frustrated with the system, you know — and I don’t know that this bill is going to change those frustrations.”

Lori Triano-Antidormi lost her two-year old son Zachary 17 years ago. He was stabbed ten times, by a mentally ill neighbour who thought he was possessed by the Devil. She’s now a psychologist, counselling other victims.

Harper: “There are major gaps — Major gaps, in the way Canada’s Justice system meets the needs of the victims.”

Lori Antidormi would agree; but she doesn’t think this Bill is the answer: “Is it words, or is it enforceable — is, I think what I’m asking.”

Sheldon Kennedy too — was a victim. Abused by a sexual predator. But when asked what was “new” about this bill — he had no ready answer: “Well I think what’s new is — ahh, um — we’re really going to try to — ahh — um…”

And although Sue O’Sullivan, the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime hailed the bill: “Today is an important day for victims of crime and I’m certainly pleased to see that the government is taking action.”

She was a little fuzzy on the details of what action, was being taken: “I obviously have not had a chance to look at the Bill in great detail.”

But here’s what the Prime Minister says, it will provide: “A right to information. A right to protection. A right to participation. And, where possible, a right to restitution.”

All of which are rights that exist in some form, in various pieces of federal and provincial legislation. But Sheldon Kennedy believes it’s important, to bring the whole package together: “We have to get away from assumptions and put in protocol that will be guidelines.”

Guidelines, perhaps — but it may be premature to say that this package of unpassed proposals, will in any way change, the course of Canadian history.

As mentioned, this is a proposal and not law. One of the problems in making it law would be the necessity to completely overhaul the current justice system which is driven by the Crown, — not victims — and bound by privacy legislation at every turn.

And, in fact, there is some concern that, should it become law, it may further clog an already painfully slow process of criminal justice.
The Prime Minister admitted that there was a lot of discussion on that point, as the legislation was drawn up. But he says, the government is confident that they’ve got the right balance between providing victims an effective voice and creating additional burdens for the courts.

Video: News Now extended coverage of the announcement: