The federal Justice Minister is introducing legislation to change the way victim surcharges are applied by judges in criminal sentencing.
Jody Wilson-Raybould is looking to change a 2013 law that forced judges to automatically apply victim surcharges in every criminal case.
The surcharges are used by provinces to fund programs and services that help victims of crime.
However, the new legislation would give judges the power to use their discretion to waive the surcharge in cases where the offender truly cannot pay.
The surcharge would remain in place for all other offenders and the prices wouldn’t change.
#BillC28 would give judges the discretion they need to help people to escape a cycle of crime. #Victimsurcharge https://t.co/op0rDR2CHT
— Justice Canada (@JusticeCanadaEN) October 21, 2016
