New Income Support Program for Parents of Victims of Crime is Announced

Ottawa, ON- In light of the seventh annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, a new income support program for parents who take time off work to cope with the death or disappearance of a child that occurs as a result of a crime was announced.

“Our Government is committed to being tougher on crime and delivering on our commitment to provide more support for victims and families,” said Larry Miller, MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound. “The income support benefit will ease the financial pressure on parents while they are coping with the death or disappearance of a child.”

Our Government recognizes that losing a child is a deeply traumatic experience and that many parents faced with such an ordeal need time away from work to cope and recover. Beginning on January 1, 2013, the new Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children will provide $350 per week for up to 35 weeks to parents who suffer a loss of income as a result of taking time away from work to cope with the death or disappearance of a child that was caused by a Criminal Code offence.

This new benefit responds to the concerns and calls of victims’ groups and is also part of the Government`s ongoing actions to support victims of crime. It is also in line with the Federal Victims Strategy, which aims to improve the experience of victims of crime in the criminal justice system.

For more information on the new Federal Income Support for Parents of Murdered or Missing Children or other Government action to support victims of crime please visit www.parl.gc.ca.

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