Bill C-77: Declaration of Victims’ Rights
Personnel
Question
Why is this government not adequately consulting with Canadians and delaying the implementation of Bill C-77?
- National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces remains committed to strengthening victims’ rights within the military justice system.
- That is why this government passed Bill C-77, in 2019, to provide clear statutory rights to victims of service offences.
- National Defence is currently in the consultation phase required to implement this Bill.
- This phase will inform the regulations surrounding the Bill including a Declaration of Victims’ rights.
- To date, we have consulted internal and federal partners on necessary regulations, including the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre.
- The Canadian Armed Forces is also assessing advice from experts to consult victims through an online survey.
- We will continue to ensure that the regulatory framework is appropriate and effective.
Quick facts
- The Declaration of Victims’ Rights features three main components:
- giving victims of service offences rights to information, protection, participation and restitution;
- providing for the appointment of a Victim Liaison Officer; and,
- providing for a complaint mechanism.
- To date, the following entities have been consulted:
- the Sexual Misconduct Response Centre (SMRC);
- the External Advisory Council to SMRC;
- the Final Settlement Agreement Consultation Group;
- the Policy Centre for Victim Issues;
- the Directorate Professional Military Conduct-Operation HONOUR; and,
- the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.
- Additionally, more general stakeholder engagement has also taken place with:
- Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC);
- Royal Canadian Mounted Policy (RCMP);
- Correctional Service of Canada (CSC);
- Parole Board of Canada (PBC);
- Ontario Provincial Police (OPP);
- Canadian Forces Legal Advisor (CFLA);
- Director of Military Prosecutions (DMP);
- Military Police Group (MP GP); and,
- Integrated Conflict and Complaint Management (ICCM).
Responsible Principals: Judge Advocate General, Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
January 15, 2021