Tory calls treatment of victims 'disgraceful'

Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory said the failure to compensate victims of crime was "disgraceful."

"The Ombudsman has uncovered a situation that is absolutely disgraceful. People who are already victims of crime are being victimized again - this time by the McGuinty Liberals. They have interfered with the criminal injuries compensation board for the sole purpose of saving money on the backs of victims.

"For some time the PC Caucus has been asking questions about this government's treatment of victims of crime. We find out today that Dalton McGuinty's government has completely misled the public. This is disrespect for victims, disrespect for the law once again, and complete incompetence by this government. The McGuinty Liberals had literally take money they could have paid to victims of crime and use it to finance self-promotional ad campaigns.

"This happened on the Attorney General's watch. Ministerial accountability doesn't mean much to the McGuinty government but if Michael Bryant were an honourable man he would apologize to the victims of crime and tender his resignation. Mr. Bryant hired a Chief Administrative Officer to cut costs and issued a directive to limit the number of payouts being made. The Ombudsman himself states that the Ministry of the Attorney General has acted contrary to the law. This is a serious and often fatal conclusion for any minister but must be taken even more seriously when it is the Ministry presided over by the Chief Law office of the Crown. He has overseen this situation, defended it and done nothing about it until exposed by the Ombudsman and must now go in order for it to be fixed. To do anything less would be more disrespect to the victims of crime in Ontario."