Maximum Compensation Framework for Victims of Crime

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The “Victims of Crime Act Regulations” (EC2023-984), approved by the Lieutenant Governor in Council on November 15, 2023, establish specific provisions under the Victims of Crime Act R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. V-3.1. These regulations define key terms, outline authorized organizations, set financial stipulations regarding surcharges and compensation, and provide a list of applicable Criminal Code offenses.

The regulations specifically define the term “Act” to refer to the Victims of Crime Act. Several organizations are designated to appoint representatives to the Advisory Committee established under the Act, including the Law Society of Prince Edward Island, the PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the PEI Association of Chiefs of Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (L Division), the PEI Rape & Sexual Assault Centre Inc., PEI Family Violence Prevention Services Inc., the Community Legal Information Association of PEI Inc., the Immigrant and Refugee Services Association PEI Inc., and the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils Inc. (Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI).

According to subsection 9(2) of the Act, a $25 surcharge is established for convictions related to certain offenses, with funds collected prioritized first for the surcharge and then for any fines. For small claims, the compensation amount is set at $2,500, as specified in subsection 15(3) of the Act. The regulations also enumerate specific sections of the Criminal Code of Canada relevant to various offenses, including serious crimes such as murder, sexual assault, and robbery, providing a reference for the types of offenses for which victims can seek compensation.

Under subsection 25(1) of the Act, the regulations stipulate a maximum compensation framework, allowing up to $25,000 for the injury or death of one victim and a maximum of $50,000 for a single incident involving multiple victims.

The schedule also provides a comprehensive list of other offenses from the Criminal Code of Canada eligible for compensation claims, including notable offenses such as taking part in a riot, sexual assault, murder, and robbery. This regulatory framework aims to support victims of crime by providing structured methods for receiving compensation and ensuring that designated organizations can effectively participate in advisory roles. The Victims of Crime Act Regulations introduce mechanisms for compensation, clarify the roles of various organizations, and detail the relevant offenses under the Criminal Code, wiht the intention of strengthening the support system for victims of crime in the province.

Prince Edward Island (EC2023-984) November 25, 2023