Ontario Supporting Victims of Crime in Nipissing
April 1, 20212021 Budget invests $363,000 to strengthen supports in this historically underserved region
NIPISSING – Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing announced an investment of $363,000 for the Victim Services of Nipissing District to provide new supports and services for victims of crime and their families. The Nipissing region has been a historically underserved area in terms of supports and services, and this investment will increase access to crisis intervention services for local residents by expanding 24/7 assistance to victims and their families.
“This historic investment in supporting victims of crime in Nipissing region will address the gap in services that our region has experienced for far too long,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “Our government will continue to stand-up for victims of crime in our region and invest in the growth of safer communities.”
“Broader access to victim services is increasingly critical to the well-being of local communities in the Nipissing District. All victims of crime and tragic circumstances in these communities will have 24/7 access to support services. We are pleased the Ontario Government recognizes the need for equal access to these services in the Northern communities. Since the onset of COVID-19 there has been increased reports in cases of criminal activities, such as fraud and intimate partner violence, and we want victims to know they do not need to remain in a dangerous situation,” said Kathleen Jodouin, Executive Director of the Victim Services of Nipissing District. “Thanks to this investment from the Ontario Government to expand our services, it will ensure people in small, rural, and northern communities, are able to reach out for help and receive the immediate support that is vital to helping them heal and rebuild their lives.”
The Ministry of the Attorney General is working with Victim Services of Renfrew County Inc., Victim Services of Nipissing District, Victim Services of Temiskaming and District to expand and enhance these services through this three-year investment included in the 2021 Budget, Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy.
The Ontario government has also announced it will provide up to four hours of free legal advice to survivors of sexual assault. Initially launched as a pilot in Toronto, Ottawa and the District of Thunder Bay, the program will be available province-wide by phone or video effective May 1, 2021. Ontario will be engaging with victim services providers in the weeks ahead on the implementation of these new services and supports.
A new complaints resolution and feedback approach has been developed to increase the accountability, oversight and service delivery of victim services organizations. The government is also modernizing the Office for Victims of Crime, an advisory body to the Attorney General, by diversifying the representation of victims’ voices and perspectives through increased membership.
Healthy people are essential for a healthy economy. With vaccines being distributed, hope is on the horizon. Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy provides the resources necessary to finish the battle with COVID-19, building on the government’s record investments to protect health and jobs during the global pandemic. Ontario is also increasing the accountability, oversight and service delivery of victim services organizations through a new complaints resolution and feedback approach.
QUICK FACTS
- Ontario’s Action Plan: Protecting People’s Health and Our Economy brings total investments to $16.3 billion to protect people’s health and $23.3 billion to protect our economy. Ontario’s COVID-19 action plan support now totals $51 billion over four years.
- The 2021 Budget investments in supports for victims of crime and survivors build on an additional $6 million in funding, announced in April 2020 and February 2021, to support victims and front-line workers during the COVID-19 outbreak.