October 23, 2018
The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has appointed Heidi Illingworth as Canada’s new Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, for a term of three years beginning October 1, 2018. Ms. Illingworth is the third Ombudsman to be appointed since the Office opened its doors in 2007, and will work to help victims and survivors of crime in Canada.
“I am honoured to be appointed to serve Canadians as the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime. I see the role of the Ombudsman as one that holds a significant responsibility to victims of crime and their families”. – Heidi Illingworth
Heidi Illingworth was the full-time Executive Director of the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime and was employed at the Centre since 1999. Heidi holds a B.A. Honours in Law with a concentration in Criminal Justice from Carleton University. She has assisted many victims and survivors at various stages of the criminal justice system, met with Federal Ministers on issues of importance to crime victims and made presentations before numerousParliamentary committees. She was involved with curriculum development for the Victimology Graduate Certificate Program at Algonquin College, taught as a Part-Time Professor in the program and sat on the Program Advisory Committee. Heidi has also developed training materials for victim services staff and volunteers in Ontario. In 2012, Heidi was privileged to receive the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in honour of her work for victims of crime.
Under her direction, Ms. Illingworth says the Office will continue to ensure the federal government meets its commitments to victims and that victims’ voices are heard. “I look forward to working with victims, service providers and the federal government to positively influence
systemic change for victims and survivors of crime in Canada.”
