S-265Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime Act
An Act to enact the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime Act, to amend the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and to establish a framework for implementing the rights of victims of crime
Senate public bill, introduced in the Senate on May 17, 2023
- Status
- Defeated at second reading in the Senate
- Sponsor
- Pierre-Hugues BoisvenuSenator
- Senator
What it does
Creates the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime, expands some victims' rights, and sets out how those rights are to be put into practice.
What it does
- Creates the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime and makes the position a statutory office.
- Sets the ombudsperson’s appointment, term, removal, pay, full-time service, and acting replacement rules.
- Gives the office a mandate to help victims and families by giving information and referrals, reviewing complaints, and directing people to other services.
- Limits complaint reviews about parole board decisions and certain Correctional Service of Canada decisions on transfers and release.
- Requires annual reporting to the Minister, tabling in Parliament, and online publication, and allows the office to summon witnesses and require documents during reviews.
- Amends the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights to enhance some victims’ rights and set up a framework for putting those rights into practice.
Who it affects
- Victims of crime
- Families of victims
- Federal departments and agencies
- Correctional Service of Canada
- Parole boards
- Minister of Justice
- Parliament
Background
The bill says the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime has existed since 2007 as a special adviser to the Minister of Justice. It also says the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights, adopted in 2015, gave the ombudsperson a mandate to review complaints about federal victim services and programs.
Where it is
Senate
First reading
Completed.
Second reading
Defeated here. Defeated
Committee
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
House of Commons
First reading
Not reached.
Second reading
Not reached.
Committee
Not reached.
Report stage
Not reached.
Third reading
Not reached.
Royal assent
Royal assent
Not reached.
Introduced by a senator. If the Senate passes it, it goes to the House of Commons, where an MP must agree to sponsor it. How a bill becomes law
How the House voted
No recorded votes yet
Read the source
LEGISinfo status: At second reading in the Senate. Bill data from LEGISinfo, votes from openparliament.ca and the House of Commons. Last updated October 13, 2026.