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The Manitoba government is ramping up support for victims of crime, announcing a significant 50 per cent increase in funding for Manitoba Justice Victim Services.
The additional funding, sourced from the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, was revealed on Tuesday by Justice Minister Matt Wiebe.
“We need to do everything we can to support Manitobans who are victims of crime,” Wiebe said. “These resources will support programs running throughout the province and ensure that we can make compassionate, community-based care available to those who need it in the aftermath of a crime.”
The Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund, which reinvests proceeds from the sale of seized criminal property into public safety and community protection, will now contribute $750,000 to Manitoba Justice Victim Services—up from the previous $500,000. This increased funding will bolster several vital initiatives across the province.
Among the beneficiaries of this enhanced funding are:
- Heartwood Healing Centre: Offering therapy to individuals 16 and over who have experienced childhood sexual abuse.
- Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre’s SARAH Program: Providing after-care, long-term counselling, and legal advocacy for victims of sexual and intimate partner violence.
- Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation Family and Community Wellness Centre: Supporting a bereavement group for families of homicide victims in Thompson and nearby areas.
- Mount Carmel Clinic’s Sage House – Sisters Offering Support Program: A drop-in centre and outreach program for women engaged in survival sex work.
- Ndinawemaaganag Endaawaad Inc.’s (Ndinawe) Child and Youth Care Certificate Program: A one-year accredited program for individuals with lived experiences, provided in partnership with Red River College Polytechnic.
- Candace House: Offering a comforting refuge for victims, survivors, and families who have lost loved ones to violent crime.
- MADD Canada: Delivering critical education and awareness about the dangers of impaired driving.
Coral Kendel, executive director of Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre, emphasized the importance of this funding. “The financial support that Survivor’s Hope Crisis Centre receives from Manitoba Justice is fundamental to the care we provide to survivors of sexualized violence,” Kendel stated. “Community-based programs like SARAH increase the options to justice available in rural Manitoba and empower survivors to heal in ways that make sense to them. We are encouraged to hear of the increase in funding provided to Manitoba Victims Services.”
This funding boost is part of the province’s broader commitment to addressing gender-based violence. Minister Wiebe highlighted that over $20 million is provided annually to agencies through gender-based violence programs, including a recent $420,000 increase to shelters for women fleeing intimate partner violence.