In April, the Ontario government announced it was winding down the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB). The CICB continued to receive applications until September 30, 2019. The CICB will process and adjudicate all applications received by September 30, 2019 before ceasing operations.
Supports and services for victims of crime may now be accessed through the Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP+), which helps to cover emergency and essential expenses, funerals and counselling costs.
A. Recent Changes
- Applications with the CICB: The CICB will continue to process all matters received by the Board by September 30, 2019 including i) applications for compensation, ii) requests for review hearings, and iii) applications to vary an order for compensation.
- Divisional Court Appeals: All appeals filed with the Divisional Court by September 30, 2019 will continue in its regular course. As of October 1, 2019, any appeals arising from applications can no longer be filed with the Divisional Court.
- CICB dissolution: The CICB is in the process of winding down its operations and cannot accept new applications. It will adjudicate all outstanding applications prior to its dissolution.
B. Dissolution: Process and Procedure
- Hearings scheduled by the CICB will continue.
- Once a hearing date is scheduled, a written Notice of Hearing will be provided.
- Adjournments of a scheduled hearing will only be granted in exceptional circumstances.
- Decisions for each application will be made following a hearing and with the information contained in the CICB file.
a) Requirements: To ensure the CICB can process an application, applicants must:
- Meet the timelines set by the Board throughout the processing of their claim.
- Submit all treatment and expense reports and any other supporting documentation required by the Board by the required date.
- Review your Notice of Hearing to see if your participation is required at an electronic (telephone) or in-person hearing.
b) Dismissal of Application: The Board may dismiss an application as abandoned without a hearing if:
- the timelines are not met,
- the information requested in the time required is not provided,
- there is failure to participate in an electronic (telephone) or in-person hearing.
Applicants/legal representatives should provide a copy of this notice to their treatment and other service providers to highlight the importance of their cooperation in having applications processed expeditiously.
c) Rules of Procedure: To ensure the Board’s Rules are consistent with the legislative amendments to the Compensation for Victims of Crime Act that does not permit further reviews or appeals, Rule 19.3 is eliminated.
Effective immediately, this Rule and its associated Practice Direction are eliminated. Please note that Rule 19.4 permitting reconsiderations on the Board’s initiative, remains.
C. Questions
If you have any questions about your CICB claim, please call our Contact Centre at 416-326-2900 or 1-800-372-7463.
For information on the VQRP+ program, call the Victim Support Line at 416-314-2447 or 1-888-579-2888 to receive contact information for the Victim Quick Response Program service provider nearest you.