Victims of crime fund racking up millions as aid grants cut: Alberta auditor – CP

Source: The Canadian Press
Feb 10, 2016 

EDMONTON _ Alberta’s auditor general says the province has lost its way with its fund for victims of crime.

Merwan Saher says the fund is racking up millions of dollars in surplus cash, while at the same time cutting money to aid groups.

The fund pays out compensation to injured victims and uses what is left over to help police and other community groups with victim-support programs.

The fund raises money from surcharges on provincial and federal fines _ a growing pot of money that is expected to hit $56 million this year.

Saher notes that the surplus can’t be spent, because the government has ordered the fund to reduce spending in tight economic times.

The auditor says the province needs to sort out what it wants to do with the surplus and figure out how to best use the cash in years to come.

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