In April, the Government of Ontario announced plans to transition the responsibilities covered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) into a new one-window access system for victims seeking financial assistance.
As part of this transition, the CICB will continue to accept applications until 11:59pm on September 30, 2019. As of October 1, 2019, individuals seeking compensation for costs that result from being a victim of crime should contact the Victim Quick Response Program + (VQRP+).
As of October 1, 2019, applications for compensation, requests for review hearings or applications to vary an order for compensation can no longer be filed with the CICB. The CICB will continue to process all applications for compensation, requests for review hearings, and applications to vary an order for compensation received on or before September 30, 2019 according to its regular processes.
As of October 1, 2019, any appeals arising from applications can no longer be commenced with the Divisional Court. All appeals filed with the Divisional Court by September 30, 2019 will continue in its regular course.
The Compensation for Victims of Crime Act (CVCA) will be amended effective October 1, 2019, to include the following section:
4.1 (1) Despite anything to the contrary in this Act, on and after the day section 1 of Schedule 11 to the Protecting What Matters Most Act (Budget Measures), 2019 comes into force, no person may,
(a) make an application for compensation under section 5;
(b) request a hearing and review under section 10;
(c) commence an appeal under section 23; or
(d) make an application for variation under section 25.
For more information, you can read about the changes or visit the Ministry of the Attorney General’s Victims Services website.