Statement on ruling of the Supreme Court of Canada Victim Surcharge

We respect the decision of the Supreme Court, however victim surcharges provide crucial funding for provincial and territorial victims services. The Government of Canada will need to look at how to address those critical gaps in funding given mandatory surcharges will no longer exist. Victims’ services need to be well funded with predictable resource streams. I am hopeful that Bill C-75 will address offender accountability while offering judicial discretion to avoid undue hardship to offenders.