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MacKay's agenda: victims' rights Feds' new bill for crime victims requires working with NWT
Daniel Campbell
Northern News Services
Published Friday, August 2, 2013
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Newly appointed federal justice minister Peter MacKay made a stop in Yellowknife on Wednesday to co-ordinate Ottawa's proposed Victims Bill of Rights with stakeholders and victims of crime from the Northwest Territories.
Justice Minister Peter MacKay led a consultation on the government's proposed Victims Bill of Rights with local stakeholders and victims of crime on Wednesday in Yellowknife. - Daniel Campbell/NNSL photo |
During the consultation held at the Northwestel building downtown, MacKay touched on the recent crime numbers coming from the NWT and Yellowknife, which Yellowknifer reported on Wednesday.
"Numbers released last week indicate that the Northwest Territories has the highest crime severity rate of all Canadian jurisdictions. We can't ignore that situation," MacKay said. "I'm also specifically concerned about the level of victimization in the Northwest Territories.
"There is more that can and should be done."
Sandra Aitken, chief federal prosecutor for the Public Prosecution Service of Canada in Yellowknife, said MacKay made it clear on Wednesday that the federal and territorial governments share the responsibility of victims rights.
Victims' rights in Yellowknife are currently administered territorially, not federally, by the Northwest Territories Victims of Crime Act, in force since 1989. The act deals with victim surcharges, or money charged to those convicted of crimes, and the victims assistance committee, which promotes the welfare of victims of crime.
MacKay said the government's new bill will require greater co-ordination and co-operation between the federal government and the NWT.
"We know there's resource implications for what we're advocating here in terms of changes for victims' rights," MacKay said. "I'll be meeting with all of my territorial counterparts in the coming days, but I sense an overwhelming desire everywhere to improve upon the current system."
Shirley Kemeys Jones, assistant deputy minister for the GNWT's justice department, said the territorial government has worked with the federal government on issues surrounding victims rights before. She said the proposed new bill is positive, but wants to make sure it's doable.
"If anything did advance in this area, it has to be realistic, practical and achievable," Jones said.
The Northwest Territories is unique because victim services are delivered by community-based organizations such as the Native Women's Association of the Northwest Territories. Jones wants to make sure those groups are made aware of any changes this new bill might bring.
"All partners should be aware what the plan is, what the role is, how is this going to happen, including the community based-agencies," Jones said. "We want to make sure it doesn't create expectations we're not able to follow through on."
Aitken said the meeting with MacKay helps those stakeholders have a voice in the new bill.
"I thought the consultation meeting was very productive and the Minister received valuable input," Aitken said.
MacKay said he's pleased with the feedback he's received so far from other jurisdictions across Canada. The Victims Bill of Rights consultations are set to continue into September.
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