Victims' Rights

Victims’ Bill of Rights (Ontario)

The Canadian justice system may feel overwhelming for victims of fraud. It is important that you are aware of your rights during this process. Your rights as a victim of crime are set out in the Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights and in the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights.

The Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights was passed in 1995 to support and recognize the needs of victims of crime throughout the justice process. It establishes that victims must be treated with courtesy, compassion and respect for their dignity and privacy.

The Ontario Victims’ Bill of Rights also specifies that victims should have information about:

• services and remedies available to them;
• financial compensation that might assist them;
• the progress of police investigations that relate to the crime;
• the charges laid concerning the crime, and if no charges are laid, the reasons why;
• procedures of the court and the victims’ role in the prosecution;
• dates and places of court proceedings, and the outcome of the proceedings including any appeals;
• any pre-trial arrangements made with the accused that relate to a plea entered at the trial;
• the release of an accused on bail;
• the sentence given to an accused, if convicted;
• a decision that the accused is unfit to stand trial;
• their right to submit a victim impact statement; and,
• notice of any application for the offender’s release and notice if the offender escapes.

For further information, please consult the Victims’ Bill of Rights (Ontario).

Canadian Victims Bill of Rights

The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR) is a federal law that establishes rights for victims of crime in Canada. Enacted in 2015, the CVBR aims to ensure that victims are treated with courtesy, compassion and respect throughout the criminal justice process.

The Canadian Victims Bill of Rights provides the following rights to victims of crime:

Right to Information

• Victims have the right to receive general information about the criminal justice system and the role of victims within it.
• They have the right to specific information about their case, including the status of the investigation, prosecution, and sentencing of the accused.

Right to Participation

• Victims have the right to convey their views about decisions that affect their rights, and to have those views considered.
• They can participate in court proceedings and present a victim impact statement during sentencing.

Right to Protection

• Victims have the right to security and privacy. Measures can be taken to protect them from intimidation and retaliation.
• They can request testimonial aids or other protective measures to facilitate their participation in the justice process.

Right to Restitution

• Victims have the right to have the court consider making a restitution order for their financial losses.
• They can enforce restitution orders as civil judgments if they are not paid.