Join Heidi Illingworth, Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, for “Moving Towards Enforceable Rights for Victims of Crime in Canada”, a webinar and discussion on February 3, 2021 from 1:00 to 3:00 PM (EST).
On November 25, 2020, Ombudsman Illingworth launched the Progress Report on the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.
During the February 3 event, Ombudsman Illingworth will continue the conversation on strengthening victims’ rights in Canada by focusing on a complaint frequently raised by victims of crime to her office: that there is no recourse available when victims are not afforded their rights. Currently, under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, limits have been placed on the rights of victims such that no legal action, appeal or any form of damages can be provided. This leaves victims with only the right to make a complaint. Federally, this amounts to an administrative review of policy or actions taken by the body to which a victim has directly complained.
Four prominent experts will join Ombudsman Illingworth during the webinar to discuss a series of questions on the legal responsibility and implications of enforceability for victims’ rights.
Invited panelists:
- Kathleen Dufour, Directrice générale, CAVAC de l’outaouais.
- Arlène Gaudreault, Présidente, Association québécoise Plaidoyer-Victimes;
- Melissa Heimerl, BA, M.Ed, Executive Director, Ottawa Victim Services; and
- Marie Manikis, Associate Professor and William Dawson Scholar, Faculty of Law, McGill University;
There will be opportunities for those listening to the webinar to submit questions to the panelists.
Please feel free to share this event with colleagues, friends or family who may be interested in participating.
