CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION BOARD
Adjudicator: Maija Laitinen
Indexed as: (Re) 1312-94457
ORDER
INTRODUCTION
1The Applicant is seeking compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board (CICB) in accordance with the Compensation for Victims of Crime Act, RSO 1990, c. C.24, as amended (the "Act") in relation to a homicide that occurred on [date], 2013. The Applicant's brother was fatally shot at a backyard barbecue outside of his apartment complex. The Offender was charged with first-degree murder and was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder on [date], 2016 following a guilty plea. On [date], 2016, the Offender was sentenced to life imprisonment with parole ineligibility for 13 years.
2The Applicant is seeking compensation for bereavement counselling. The Applicant received $1,000.00 from the Victim Quick Response Program (VQRP) for 10 therapy sessions. However, these funds have been exhausted and, at page 10 of her Application, the Applicant states that she requires additional counselling.
ANALYSIS AND DECISION
3There is no question in this case that the Applicant's brother was the victim of a crime of violence within the meaning of section 5(a) of the Act. In the circumstances, the CICB finds that the Applicant is eligible for bereavement counselling to assist her with her grief at the tragic loss of her brother. The CICB authorizes up to $1,500.00 (exclusive of any applicable taxes) for bereavement counselling expenses to be paid directly to a qualified treatment provider upon receipt of a Curriculum Vitae outlining the credentials of the service provider (unless the CICB already has a copy on file). These sessions can only be accessed when the therapy sessions are not covered by other sources, such as the Applicant's place of employment or insurance benefits. Therapy sessions must be completed within 36 months of receipt of this Order. It is the CICB's practice to award up to $100.00 per session for therapy, or up to $125.00 per session for registered psychologists. Payment may be made directly to the treatment provider on a monthly basis, upon submission of an invoice and the required verification from the Applicant. The CICB may also consider therapy expenses that were incurred between the time that the Applicant submitted her final set of documents to the CICB and the receipt of this Order. If there are such expenses, the CICB will deduct these from the pre-authorized $1,500.00 amount described above.
4The CICB offers the Applicant its sincere condolences for the senseless and tragic loss of her brother.
AWARD
5The CICB orders payment as follows:
Subsection 7(1)(a) Expenses (Future Counselling) $1,500.00
TOTAL PRE-AUTHORIZED FUTURE EXPENSE AWARD: $1,500.00
DATED at Toronto this 2nd day of October, 2017
Maija Laitinen, Member