Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I have a return to Question O333-12(2), asked by Mr. Gargan yesterday. Mr. Gargan expressed his concern for the well-being of Ms. Kitty Nowdluk-Reynolds, whose complaint to the RCMP Public Complaints Commission is being heard in Iqaluit now. I have contacted the RCMP and have been informed that Ms. Reynolds' expenses for legal counsel are being covered by the commission.
Mr. Gargan asked specifically whether professional and personal assistance will be provided by my department to Ms. Reynolds, if she requests it. There are two specific victims' programs under the mandate of my department. One is the Victims' Assistance Committee. Money from a surcharge on fines is disbursed to organizations for training and other initiatives, so that victims may be assisted at the community level. The other is under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act, a program which allows victims of crime to make application for losses suffered by them as a result of a criminal action against them. This is a program in which we respect the wishes of victims to maintain a certain amount of confidentiality. Other than that, we do not have the mandate or resources to step in and lend assistance.
I do appreciate the honourable Member's concern for the well-being of Ms. Nowdluk-Reynolds. I share that concern, but it is now a matter for the commission to deal with, and it is not appropriate for me to say anything further on it at this time. Thank you.