As the Jason Kenney United Conservative government gets down to business following the recent speech from the throne, some of the province’s high priority needs are coming into focus.
One of those needs is the requirement for victims of crime to be given adequate support.
Whether the new government will do a better job than the Notley NDP government did at helping victims remains to be seen. What is known is that residents of all ages and in all communities will continue to insist that the government play a meaningful role in supporting crime survivors and their families.
In one of his first pronouncements following the election, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schwitzer said the new government is committed to ensuring justice for victims.
Speaking during the recent Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, Schwitzer said a top priority of the new government will be protecting public safety.
“I want to reiterate our government’s commitment to a justice system that prioritizes victims of crime and will provide the tools and resources needed to support them,” said Schwitzer.
“We will be taking action to ensure that we have a fairer, faster and more responsive justice system where law-abiding Albertans feel safe, secure and protected in their communities.”
While Schwitzer’s words are encouraging, the fact remains that Alberta still has one of the worst records of sexual assault and sexual violence of any province in Canada.
As such, the new government has its work cut out when it comes to making sure that victims of all crimes, including sex crimes, are supported in meaningful ways. And that applies to all residents, no matter where they live in the province.
Meeting its stated commitment to help crime victims will take a concerted effort by the new UCP government, and that will have to include adequate and ongoing financial support right down to the community level.
The new government says it is committed to victim support. Time will now tell whether that promise will translate into concrete action.
- Singleton is the Mountain View Gazette editor.
