An Overview of Victim Services Across Canada

Alberta

Legislation

The Alberta Victims of Crime Act, proclaimed in 1997, established the authority to collect surcharges on provincial statute offences, defined principles respecting the treatment of victims, provides victims with rights to obtain information and introduced financial benefits for victims. Under the act, surcharges on federal offences already being collected and provincial fine surcharge revenue collected are deposited into a fund which is used to support two primary programs: the Financial Benefits Program; and a Grants Program.

Provincial Legislation

Victim of Crime Act: http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/documents/Acts/V03.cfm?frm_isbn=0779725417

Services

Since proclamation of the Victims Programs Assistance Act in 1991 and the Victims of Crime Act in 1997, victim assistance programs have expanded throughout the province. With the support of local communities, police services and Alberta Solicitor General and Public Security, over 100 victim services units have been established to provide information, assistance and courtroom support to victims during the criminal justice process.

Compensation

Alberta does not provide traditional compensation. Subject to the Victims of Crime Act the Director, through the Financial Benefits Program, recognizes or acknowledges victims who have suffered physical or emotional injury as a direct result of a violent crime in Alberta. The program provides direct assistance with a one-time financial benefit based on the severity of the victim's injuries, rather than awarding for losses or costs incurred. The benefit amount is set in the regulation to the Act. The death benefit is $12,500 per deceased victim. Injury awards range from $500 to $110,000.

• Victim Services: http://www.solgen.gov.ab.ca/victim/default.aspx
• Financial Benefits Program: http://www.solgen.gov.ab.ca/victim/financial_benefits.aspx