August 30, 2004 * Office of the Attorney General [to Jan 2010]Attorney General Jamie Ballem today announced amendments to the Summary Proceedings Act Regulations to increase the Victim Surcharge collected on provincial offences from $10.00 to $20.00 effective September 1, 2004. “Over the past five years, we have experienced a significant increase in the client demand on services offered to victims,” said Attorney General Ballem. “This increase will assist in supporting these valuable services for victims of crime.” The Victim Surcharge is a payment which was introduced in both federal and provincial legislation in 1989 so that people who have been found guilty of an offence contribute to the assistance of victims of crime. This is the first increase in the provincial surcharge since it was established in 1989. Surcharge revenue from both federal and provincial sources is deposited in the provincial victim assistance fund and is used in two ways: for awards to eligible victims through the criminal injuries compensation program; and for costs associated with the province-wide Victim Services program operated by the provincial government.Media Contact: Susan Maynard