The Tofield Mercury, Wednesday, June 10, 2020 - Page 9
A “raid” on funding to expand police services in province has Victim Services worried Moush John and Patricia Harcourt Tofield Mercury
Victim Services is putting out the word that a funding diversion of surplus monies will go towards hiring police officers and increase police programs instead of helping victims of crime as intended. Victim Services Alberta states that services to victims of crime will be impacted by the UCP government’s Victim of Crime Act amendments now being considered. The Victims of Crime Amendment Act, or Bill 16, “will see the tearing down of the fundamental principles entrenched in the original Victims of Crime Act created in 1990,” states Alf Rudd, President of the Alberta Police Based Victim Services Association in a June 1 news release. “A ploy such as this does a great disservice to them (victims), and those dedicated to supporting them,” said Rudd. “Association members have already felt impacts of victim funds being redirected for public
safety initiatives as requests for operating funds have been reduced and training dollars all but eliminated. “This is the wrong move for this province,” he added. “Funds need to first address the needs of victim services while any expanded use be judiciously considered after consultations with the victim serving community.” At present, there is a $74 million surplus fund the province is eyeing to help with its enhanced policing initiative. Rudd said the surplus is due to “frugal use” of funds collected by community organizations under the original act’s mandate to collect a surcharge on fines assessed for various offences. “If this legislation is successful,” he said, referring to Bill 16, “the Solicitor General will arbitrarily have unfettered access to the fund to provide more police, more prosecutors and fund other undefined public safety initiatives. “This amounts to a raid on a fund that for 30 years has carefully and prudently provided a safe landing for those criminally and brutally treated.”
However, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Doug Schweitzer defended the move, stating the expansion in scope of the Victims of Crime Fund to include public safety initiatives would deter crime and prevent victimization. The government plans to use the Victims of Crime Fund to fund the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Force, drug treatment courts and the hiring of more Crown prosecutors. Instead of being used for the victim services for which the funds were collected, the monies will go towards organized and other serious crimes like llegal drug and gun trafficking, and online child exploitation. Funds will also go towards breaking addiction cycles related to crime, and more Crown prosecutors to keep perpetrators off the streets. “Our government has heard loud and clear from Albertans that they are frustrated with a justice system Continued on Page 15
Obituary
Obituary
Edith Aletha Regehr
Susanna “Susie” Warkentin
March 20, 1927 – June 3, 2020
Sept. 12, 1926 – June 2, 2020
Sawyer & Devyn; grandson Danny; granddaughter Rebecca (Tavis), great-grandchildren Cohen, Daxton, Declan and Maylo; grandson James (Heidi), great-grandIt is with much children Helayna love that we mourn and Ruth; her son the loss of our dear Barry; her daughterMarion; mother, grandmother, in-law and great-grand- g r a n d d a u g h t e r greatmother, Edith Regehr. Candace, g r a n d c h i l d ren She will be remembered for her strong Ronan, Bodi, and faith, love of family, Emily; and grandson friends, music and Severan (Michelle). She also leaves to life! Edith was prede- mourn her sisters ceased by her hus- Erica and Elsbeth band Edward; son (Werner); sisters-inReginald; brothers law Verna and Alice Oscar & Herbert; and (Irwin); brothers-insisters Melita & Judy. law Walter, Gerry She will be lovingly (Eula) and Art missed by her (Paula); along with daughter Kathy many family and (Bill); granddaughter friends. With special gratiJessica(Stefan), great-grandchildren tude we thank the
Tofield Health Centre staff and Doctor Jallad for their compassionate care during her last weeks. The past ten years in the Tofield Lodge, with Jan and her kind staff’s TLC, were always appreciated. In accordance to Edith's wishes a private family service will be held on a later date. Cremation has taken place and inurnment will take place at the Tofield Cemetery on a later date. Donations in her memory can be sent to MCC, 2102946 32 ST. NE., Calgary, AB T1Y 9Z9 or charity of your choice. Weber Funeral Home 780-662-3959 www.weberfuneralhome.ca
It is with much love that we mourn the peaceful passing of Susie Warkentin (née Buhler) on June 2, 2020 with family at her side. Susie was born in southern Manitoba and after her marriage to Corney Warkentin, moved to the Tofield area in 1952 where they farmed and raised their family. Left to cherish her memory are her children Harold (Natalie) of Tofield, Lawrence (Joyce) of DeBolt, Vi (Fatima) of Edmonton, Marv
(Gwen) of Lethbridge and Roland (Gayle) of Grande Prairie; nine grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and siblings Mary, Tina, George, Rita, and Harry. She was predeceased by her husband Corney, her brother Jake Buhler, and her sisters Annie Sawatzky and Helen Goertz. Due to Covid19 and Alberta Health restrictions, a private celebration with only immediate family has been held. If family, relatives and friends desire, memorial contributions in Susie’s memory may be made to the Mennonite Central Committee. The family would like to extend the
opportunity to relatives and friends to celebrate in her life through the memorial page we have created. This is a place for us all to share stories, poems, thoughts and photos of Susie – a mother, a grandmother, a greatgrandmother, a sister, an aunt, a friend. susiewarkentin.forevermissed.com To send condolences, please visit www.burgarfuneralhome.com. Burgar Funeral Home Camrose & Daysland (4817 51 Ave, Camrose, Alberta T4V 0V4) in care of arrangements. 780-672-2121. “Dedicated service since 1906” Burgar Funeral Home 780-672-2121 www.burgarfuneralhome.com
