Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, across the country, victim advocates and governments have been working to provide better services to victims of crime and to include them as meaningful participants in the justice system. In the North, we, too, are making progress in this area. Today, I would like to provide the House with information on some exciting developments in the area of services to victims of crime.
In recent months, the Department of Justice has been meeting with victim service providers and community resource workers. As a result, we are now planning a territorial victim services conference at the end of March. Participants in this conference will have the chance to share information, ideas and concerns, and raise awareness about victims' issues. The department will also be seeking their guidance on the future direction of victim services in the Northwest Territories.
Mr. Speaker, by bringing together agencies, organizations and community support groups, we anticipate a more integrated and coordinated approach to victims' assistance. We also plan to improve training for program coordinators and volunteers and develop more opportunities for them to exchange ideas. We hope that these activities will lead to improved services for victims and strengthen the relationship between the department and the people who provide services in the communities.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice has also recently made changes to the territorial Victim Impact Statement Program to make the forms easier to understand and to complete. The new victim impact statement packages are available from any RCMP detachment.
The victim impact statement gives the victims of a crime a chance to tell the court how a crime has affected them. We hope that people who have been victimized by crime will take advantage of this program. The department will arrange help for anyone who has difficulty with the forms for any reason.
Mr. Speaker, I am also pleased to report on expanded victims' services in Hay River. The Department of Justice already funds organizations in Fort Smith and Yellowknife to provide crisis response, personal support, follow-up assistance, information and referrals for victims of crime. The Hay River Community Health Board has received a contribution from the Victims Assistance Fund to implement a similar program. We will begin consultations in the Beaufort Delta to determine if there is a need and a commitment from potential community partners to establish a victim services program in that region.
Mr. Speaker, services for victims of crime are provided by dedicated staff and volunteers who contribute long hours to assist people in their communities. On behalf of the department, I would like to end my statement today by expressing my sincere appreciation to them for their dedication and service. Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.