Ombudsman urges Conservatives to strengthen new bill of rights for victims

OTTAWA – The federal ombudsman for crime victims says the Harper government’s proposed victims bill of rights should be strengthened.

Sue O’Sullivan says the present legislation is welcome, but a few well-chosen amendments before it becomes law could do more to help people affected by crime.

She says, for instance, that the bill leaves it to victims to enforce restitution orders made by the courts.

O’Sullivan argues that restitution orders are part of a criminal’s sentence and should be enforced by the authorities, not by victims going to civil court.

She also says victims should have a general right to attend parole hearings.

Bill C-32 was introduced in the Commons in April.