Ontario Victim Services Boosted by Justice Fund

The Government of Canada is providing approximately $50 million annually in project‑based funding to support initiatives that enhance services for victims of crime and their families. This funding supports projects and activities that encourage the development of new approaches, promote access to justice, improve the capacity of service providers, foster referral networks, and increase awareness of available supports.

Projects and funding amounts for all finalized agreements are published on Grants and Contributions (canada.ca).

Through the Federal Victims Strategy's Victims Fund, the Government of Canada is providing $3.375 million in funding over five years (2026 to 2031) to the Province of Ontario to support and enhance services for victims in that province. This funding will increase access to justice for victims and survivors in Ontario and to give them a more effective voice in the criminal justice system.

Child Advocacy Centres (CACs)

In Ontario, 10 Child Advocacy Centres (CACs) and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres (CYACs) projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $7,409,515, including one national project managed by an organization based in Ontario. All funding agreements are in place through to the 2027-28 fiscal year.

• The Cedar Centre is developing and piloting a Child and Youth Advocacy Centre in York Region of Ontario. The centre will be a multidisciplinary service to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• Victim Services of Nipissing District is providing a coordinated response to children and youth who are victims of abuse to reduce the trauma experienced by service systems. The project will increase the capacity of the multidisciplinary partners to undertake investigations and provide effective, seamless coordinated services for child and youth victims and their families.
• The Windsor Essex Child and Youth Advocacy Centre is delivering services to children/youth and families/caregivers impacted by abuse by providing one location for an Advocate and all community partners to collaborate.
• The Koala Place (Child & Youth Advocacy Centre) is providing seamless service delivery as the primary, leading partner of the multi-disciplinary team of child abuse investigations, coordinating and planning service delivery support and interventions to children, youth and families.
• Victim Services of Durham Region is providing services to address the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• Boost Child & Youth Advocacy Centre is providing a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses in the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• Open Doors for Lanark Children and Youth is delivering ongoing services to children, youth and families. It will ensure the continuation of service and delivery to provide coordinated community-based wrap-around services for victims and witnesses.
• Child Witness Centre of Waterloo Region is providing a seamless response to the specific needs of children and youth victims or witnesses of physical abuse, sexual abuse or maltreatment and their families. The project will also provide the multi-disciplinary team with resources, training and skills required to provide effective and enhanced trauma-informed support.
• The Child and Youth Advocacy Centre of Simcoe Muskoka is providing a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• London Family Court Clinic Incorporated is addressing the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses as they navigate the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma by providing a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services.
• The Child and Youth Advocacy Centres of Canada is formally establishing a Canadian Association of Child and Youth Advocacy Centres. This Association will serve as a national voice; advance collaboration and partnerships; and elevate consistent practices across Canada.

Human Trafficking

In Ontario, two projects are currently being supported through the Supports and Services for Victims and Survivors of Human Trafficking stream. These projects represent a total investment of $708,825 in funding over three fiscal years (2026-2027 to 2028-2029).

• The London Abused Women's Centre is providing trauma-informed, survivor-centered advocacy and support to survivors through every stage of the legal process - from initial contact with police services to court proceedings and post-court support.
• Voice Found is providing coordinated, trauma-informed support before, during, and after court, enabling survivors to maintain stability while equipping justice partners to respond with compassion and competence.

Family Information Liaison Unit (FILU)

The Ontario FILU has been approved for a total investment of $4,000,000 over 5 years (2025-30).

• The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General is providing a "one-stop information service" to families pertaining to a missing or murdered Indigenous person.

Community Support and Healing for Families

In Ontario, four Community Supports and Healing for Families projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $2,950,000 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2027-28 fiscal year.

• Ganohkwasra Family Assault Support Services is working directly with the Six Nations missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls' families from the Grand River Territory. The project will allow for one-on-one emotional, mental and spiritual support through the facilitation of healing circles and individual and group counselling sessions.
• Minwaashin Lodge: Indigenous Women's Support Centre is providing trauma-informed, culture-based counselling to families of missing and murdered Indigenous people. The counsellor will maintain a caseload of 25 clients and engage in outreach activities with other service providers.
• Nishnawbe-Aski Nation (NAN) Corporate Services is organizing healing events and activities for Missing and Murdered Indigenous People survivors and families from the NAN territory. The project involves outreach to NAN communities, ongoing engagement, an annual gathering, culturally relevant public education material, and community engagement events.
• The Ontario Native Women's Association is providing information, coordination, counselling and ceremonial supports to families of Indigenous women, girls and 2S people who have been murdered or gone missing.

Sexual Assault

In Ontario, five Sexual Assault projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $1,167,246 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Victim Services of Peel is providing trauma-informed and culturally responsive support to victims and survivors of sexual violence. Two independent Sexual Violence Counsellors will work directly alongside the Special Victims Unit of the Peel Regional Police.
• The Ottawa Rape Crisis Centre is providing comprehensive guidance and assistance to ensure clients are well-informed and supported throughout their interactions with the justice system.
• Victims of Kingston and Frontenac is empowering survivors with information on safety, rights, and justice. Planned activities include hiring a support worker, training officers, and developing resources.
• Victim Services of Waterloo Region is providing the services of a dedicated advocate to address systemic and societal factors faced by victims of sexual violence through trauma and violence informed programming.
• The Thunder Bay Counselling Centre is providing specialized counselling to meet the needs of underserved communities. Enhanced support will be provided to help victims understand the impact of sexual violence and how to access justice.

Restorative Justice

In Ontario, three Restorative Justice projects are currently being supported. These projects represent a total investment of $681,878 with all funding agreements in place through to the 2026-27 fiscal year.

• Community Justice Initiatives of Waterloo Region is addressing sexual violence through trauma and violence informed programming. The project will enhance access to justice for survivors of sexual assault and create a campaign to raise awareness around cyber-crime.
• The Collaborative Justice Program - Restorative Justice Ottawa is providing restorative justice services for post-plea, pre-sentence cases, and explore the possibility of creating a pre-charge process.
• The Shalem Mental Health Network is providing Restorative Justice tools to victims of violence. Activities include consulting with Community Justice Initiatives, educating service providers, forming partnerships, implementing a referral network, and consulting with project advisory boards.

Indigenous Victims - Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime

In Ontario, there are six projects under Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime Initiative. These projects represent a total investment of $5,395,911. Two projects are in place until 2029, while four are in place until 2030.

• Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation is focusing on amplifying the voices and experiences of victims of criminal offences and help provide insight into how offenders can work towards mending the harm that has been done in a safe and healthy way through the restorative justice process.
• Aboriginal Legal Services Inc. is providing the services of a Victims Rights Advocate to assist families attending Court and Circle processes, especially families dealing with the Child Protection System.
• The Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres is developing comprehensive anti-trafficking training and a toolkit to support survivors exiting trafficking and a victim support model.
• The Barrie Native Friendship Centre is providing a trauma-informed wrap-around service model for Indigenous victims in Simcoe County that will increase access to justice and provide a voice in a culturally safe manner to help victims and survivors navigate their healing journey.
• The Kenora Chiefs Advisory is promoting healing and justice by offering land-based, culturally grounded programs that address the holistic needs of victims, their families, and communities.
• The Indigenous Police Chiefs of Ontario is increasing the understanding of the justice process and system, and strengthening partnerships between Indigenous communities, justice agencies, and service providers to improve victim services.

Hate Crimes

In Ontario, there are two projects under Hate Crimes (one project is national in scope). These projects represent a total investment of $360,000.

• The Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General-Crown Law Office is creating an online training module for the Criminal Law Division and program staff in the Victims and Vulnerable Persons Division on prosecuting hate crimes and effectively supporting the needs of victims of hate crimes.
• The National Judicial Institute's national project will contribute to increased knowledge and awareness within the judiciary of the legislation, jurisprudence and sentencing pertaining to hate crimes, social context information on the individuals or communities that have been the target of hate crime and the impact of victimization on both individuals and communities.

Canada's Black Justice Strategy

In Ontario, five projects are currently being supported to address the immediate needs of Black victims and survivors of crime, through Black‑specific and culturally appropriate victim services (e.g., trauma‑informed counselling, crisis intervention, and peer support), and work that strengthens the evidence base on their experiences in the criminal justice system. Total investment is over $1.5 million over two fiscal years (2025-2026 to 2026-2027).

• The Black Legal Action Centre is providing direct, culturally specific support and services through one-on-one counselling and healing circles and strategic referrals to partner organizations.
• Black Mental Health Canada is providing immediate, culturally grounded, trauma-informed support for individuals and families impacted by crime, while also connecting victims and survivors of crime to longer-term counselling, legal information, and community resources.
• The Canafro Research Institute is conducting qualitative research that systemically documents the lived experience of Black male survivors who have been criminalized after acts of self-defense or trauma response and establish a dedicated legal navigation and peer mentorship program that offers culturally grounded, trauma informed support to individuals caught within this cycle, empowering them to navigate the justice system and heal from compounded trauma.
• The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is developing and piloting a family and caregiver support group for Black victims and survivors of crime impacted by gun violence, through a collaborative, trauma-infirmed, and culturally grounded approach.
• The Women's Centre for Social Justice (WomenAtTheCentre) is providing training for service providers and governments to provide Black-centred, survivor-led, trauma and violence informed, culturally grounded, and accessible supports and services for Black victims and survivors of gender-based violence.

Victims and Survivors of Crime Week funding for organizations in Ontario

As part of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, the Government of Canada funds organizations for events or activities that raise awareness about issues facing victims and survivors of crime. This includes assistance available to victims, survivors and their loved ones. The events and activities may include workshops, training sessions and educational outreach campaigns.

Visit the Event Map for Victims and Survivors of Crime Week 2026