Should convicted criminals pay more to compensate their victims?
Convicted criminals will soon be expected to pay twice as much into victim services funds, if Bill C-37 makes its way through the House of Commons.
The money raised is used to fund government services, community organizations and, on occasion, to provide compensation to injured parties.
Not that the $$ are any great bonanza.
Victim surcharges would jump to $100 for a summary conviction and $200 for an indictable offence. In cases where a fine is imposed, the offender would instead have to pay a surcharge amounting to 30 per cent of the fine, up from 15 per cent, The Globe and Mail reports.
At the same time, the bill would eliminate judges’ ability to waive the surcharge in cases where offenders might paying such fines too onerous.Critics have pointed out the irony of doubling the amount of the surcharge when one of the excuses judges gave for waiving it was that offenders couldn't afford it.
But even supporters of such a change worry about how the money is spent and want provincial governments to do a better job of reporting on what they do with the money.
“There is no transparency in how this money is being spent,” Sharon Rosenfeldt, president of Ottawa-based Victims of Violence, said recently. “I think the actual bill is a good step in the right direction … however, I believe there has to be more transparency from the provinces.”
Others, like the Canadian Bar Association, worry that removing all judicial discretion here could mean that offenders could be sent to jail simply because they weren't able to come up with the money.
Does this make sense to you? Are the fines high enough? Have you ever received compensation or assistance after being victimized in this way?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: SP | Nov 5, 2021 3:48:41 PM
Sounds like a wonderful idea.
We can put speed cameras in driveways and parking lots. Motion detector cameras on stop signs (for those who don't fully come to a stop), age restrictions on sugary drinks (can't have parents giving sugary products to those who look under 16), perhaps even a second hand smoking, or excess drinking fine (to compensate the victims of people who use those products inappropriately)
.....
Has anyone else noticed that when speeding and other infractions started to become a source of revenue, the laws (and corresponding enforcement) changed from that of preventing harm, to that of generating revenue?
We are encouraging our elected (and un-elected government leaders) to create laws that generate revenues instead of justifying raising necessary taxes.
... You're asking for a whip for your own back, because they'll only target those who pay the fines (the non-criminal element of society).
OH.. Just thought of another one. Facebook fines! People get bullied on Facebook...
Posted by: AC | Nov 6, 2021 1:07:18 AM
I agree with SP, fines nowadays are being increased and used in order to solely generate revenue for government coffers that go to everything instead of only the justice system or groups/societies that operate for non profit that have to do with something involved in the justice system.
Of course they get public approval for this cause its always a little bit at a time and every time any government does they always shout from their soapboxes "oh won't someone think of the children!" or something equally empathically pathetic.
Soon withing several decades or so I wouldnt be surprised to see people having all their assets seized, cars, savings, houses etc. all for the "good" of the general public. All politicians do it or advocate for it. Im only glad that we the tories are in power instead of the NDP since at least with the tories they do it slowly whereas the NDP blantantly advocate so many communist laws, fees and tax increases that instead of several decades it might be one or less.
I'll admit that the NDP dont outright talk about raising the cost of everything but they speak about the creation of so many government programs and initiatives that one can only pray that they are outright lying and have no intention of keeping any campaign promises.
At least we can console ourselves with the knowledge that if/when the NDP do take power and turn us into a communist state our neighbors to the south will happily "liberate" us from the dictatorship and keep our country free(to export oil and other natural resources)
Some may wonder why I am so cynical. Besides our country and constitution being an hypocrisy, if you happen to be friends with an RCMP officer ask them about how much time they have spent training to prevent any given type of crime compared to dealing with crimes after the fact.
Posted by: Natashia2012 | Nov 6, 2021 3:58:32 AM
Attention Canadians.... Has anyone else but me noticed that the people employed by the city, province, Country.......whatever ......it is so confusing anymore..... don't do their jobs?
What good is it to increase fines......it's just more money to a system that doesn't do anything anyway.......I have been a victim of many crimes it is mind boggling...... If I would have committed those crimes I would have been arrested.....what's up with this justice system anyway.....
If you are going to take up law enforcement as a career you should enforce the law and be happy to do so.....I still have a problem wrapping my mind around the fact that I called 911..... and not one but 4 police officers showed up and there is no record of it. ...........This is a self serving government and all they want is money............and it has reached a point.....that by the time you've figured it out you have one leg in your grave and the other on a banana peel...... So in my own very humble opinion to your increase I am laughing ........
Posted by: Home remedies for acne treatment | Nov 6, 2021 11:43:55 AM
Next time I read a blog, I hope that it does not fail me just as much as this particular one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read through, nonetheless I really thought you would have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of moaning about something you could fix if you were not too busy looking for attention.