New Income Support Program for Parents of Victims of Crime

Beginning on January 1, 2013, a new program will provide support to eligible parents who take time off work to cope with the death or disappearance of a child that was caused by a Criminal Code offence.

In advance of the seventh annual National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced a new income support program for parents who take time off work as they cope with the death or disappearance of a child which occurred as a result of a crime. The Prime Minister was joined by Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills and Development, and Senator Pierre-Hugues Boisvenu, founder and president of the Association of Families of Persons Assassinated or Disappeared (AFPAD).

"Our Government is taking decisive action to be tougher on crime and to provide more support for victims and their families," said Prime Minister Harper. "The income support benefit being announced today will ease the financial pressure on parents struggling to cope with the death or disappearance of a child."