Victims services funding increased

Coinciding with the 20th anniversary of Parkland Victims Services, the provincial government announced April 25 a $128,000 funding increase for the local victims organization.

"Parkland has earned a reputation for providing valuable services to victims of crime in the Yorkton area over the last 20 years," said Gordon Wyant, minister of Justice. "With increased support, I am pleased that Parkland will be able to offer these important services to six more surrounding communities.

Cheryl Tiller, head of Parkland region, said the money will allow Parkland to expand to Canora, Esterhazy, Melville, Moosomin Wadena and Wynyard. She said, they currently serve these communities, but adding offices and part-time employees will make the process more responsive and efficient.

Yorkton MLA Greg Ottenbreit said the money represents a real increase in funding directly from victim surcharges levied on people sentenced under the Criminal Code of Canada and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA).

The victim surcharge was originally enacted in 1989 to improve accountability of offenders.

Last week, the Senate passed the Bill C-37, the Improving Offenders' Accountability for Victims Act, that doubles the surcharge to 30 per cent of levied fines and to $100 for sentences in which the Crown proceeds summarily and $200 for indictable offences.