Do I Have To Pay The Criminal Injury Compensation Board’s Award Of Financial Compensation?

• The Criminal Injury Compensation Board's goal is to provide support to complainants in criminal matters.
• If an individual is a complainant in a matter, or otherwise affected by a criminal matter in such a way that they suffered loses as a result of a  violent crime , they may be eligible for financial compensation.
• Complainants can apply to CICB for compensation at any stage of the criminal justice process.
• If the Board finds an applicant to be compensable, the Board issues a financial award to the Applicant.
• The Board may at any time on its own initiative or on the application of the complainant, any dependant of the complainant, the Minister or the offender, vary an order for payment of compensation in such manner as the Board thinks fit, whether as to terms of the order or by increasing or decreasing the amount ordered to be paid, or otherwise.
• This financial award is from funds allocated by the provincial government. The government pays these funds to the alleged victim of crime (applicant).
• The alleged offender does not pay these funds to alleged victim of crime. However, according to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board’s Fact Sheet – Questions Frequently asked by Alleged Offenders  (http://www.cicb.gov.on.ca/resources/Faq_ao.pdf), the Board may pursue reimbursement from an alleged offender for financial compensation awarded to a victim, although it is unlikely.
• The Board has the authority and power to launch civil proceedings against the alleged offender to recover damages and costs for the person to whom payment is made under the Compensation of Victim’s of Crime Act. An alleged offender has the potential to be civilly liable for, (a) first, to payment of the costs actually incurred in the action and in levying execution; and(b) second, to reimbursement of the Board for the value of the compensation awarded.
• Money paid or payable by way of compensation under the Compensation for Victims of Crime Act or held by the Public Guardian and Trustee or other person under an order made by the Board under subsection 21(3) of the Act is not subject to garnishment, attachment, execution, set-off or any other legal process and the right thereto is not assignable.

What Types of Compensation Awards Can Be Ordered by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board?