Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (S.C. 2015, c. 13, s. 2)

AMENDMENTS NOT IN FORCE

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 135

  • 135 The preamble to the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights is amended by adding the following after the second paragraph:

    Whereas it is important that every victim of crime be treated in a manner that takes into account the impacts of the trauma that they experienced;

    Whereas it is important that the criminal justice system include an approach that is victim-centred and considerate of the needs and concerns of victims of crime in order to avoid retraumatizing them;

    Whereas delays in the criminal justice system have a detrimental impact on victims of crime and undermine the public’s confidence in the administration of justice;

    Whereas victims of crime have an interest in timely trials and the timely resolution of matters relating to offences;

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 136

  • 136 The Act is amended by adding the following after the heading “Rights” after section 5:

    Respect

    • Respect, courtesy, compassion and fairness

      5.1 Every victim has the right to be treated with respect, courtesy, compassion and fairness by the appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system.

    Timely Justice

    • Timely trial and resolution

      5.2 Every victim has the right to have taken into consideration their interest in a timely trial and the timely resolution of matters relating to the offence.

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 137

  • • 137 (1) The portion of section 6 of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

      • General information

        6 Every victim has the right to information about

    • (2) Paragraph 6(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:

      • (b) the services and programs available to them as a victim;

    • (3) Section 6 of the Act is amended by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (c) and by adding the following after that paragraph:

      • (d) their rights under this Act.

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 138

  • 138 The portion of section 7 of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

    • Investigation and proceedings

      7 Every victim has the right to information about

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 139

  • 139 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 7:

    • Protection measures

      7.1 Every victim has the right to information about the protection measures available to them in the criminal justice system.

    • Restorative justice process

      • 7.2 (1) Every victim has the right to information about the restorative justice processes available to them as a victim, including how the processes operate, what outcomes the victim can expect and the voluntary nature of participation at every stage of the processes.

      • Agreement reached during process

        (2) If an accused or offender and a victim of the offence participate in a restorative justice process, the victim has the right to receive information about the accused’s or offender’s fulfillment of the terms of any agreement reached in the course of the process.

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 140

  • 140 The portion of section 8 of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:

    • Information about offender or accused

      8 Every victim has the right to information about

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 141

  • 141 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 8:

    • Federal entities

      8.1 The federal departments, agencies or bodies from which victims have a right to receive the information referred to in sections 6 to 8 include, but are not limited to,

      • (a) the Royal Canadian Mounted Police;

      • (b) the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions;

      • (c) the Correctional Service of Canada;

      • (d) the Parole Board of Canada;

      • (e) the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission;

      • (f) the Canada Border Services Agency; and

      • (g) the Department of Justice.

    • Information about rights

      8.2 The federal departments, agencies or bodies that are involved in the criminal justice system, including the ones referred to in section 8.1, must ensure that information about the rights of victims under this Act is made readily available.

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 142

  • 142 Section 12 of the Act is replaced by the following:

    • Identity protection

      12 Every victim, if they are a complainant to the offence or a witness in proceedings relating to the offence, has the right to

      • (a) be asked whether they wish to have their identity protected;

      • (b) request that their identity be protected;

      • (c) be informed when an order is made to protect their identity; and

      • (d) be informed of their right to apply to revoke or vary an order made to protect their identity.

• — 2026, c. 19, s. 143

  • 143 Section 15 of the Act is replaced by the following:

    • Victim impact statement

      15 Every victim has the right to present a victim impact statement to the court and, if applicable, a victim statement to other appropriate authorities in the criminal justice system, including the Correctional Service of Canada and the Parole Board of Canada, and to have it considered.