October 7, 2014 Organization

Montréal - The Autorité des marchés financiers (the "AMF") and the Laurentides, Laval and Estrie Crime Victims Assistance Centres ("CAVAC") signed an agreement today in an effort to break the isolation of victims of financial crime and help them regain control over their lives.

These agreements follow an initial agreement entered into in April 2013 with the Montréal CAVAC and five other agreements reached earlier this year with the Montérégie, Côte-Nord, Outaouais, Centre-du-Québec and Mauricie CAVAC Centres.

These agreements enable the AMF to provide better support to financial crime victims by referring them directly to CAVAC Centres located in the regions concerned. "Abuse of trust is at the heart of many financial scams in which the AMF is asked to intervene, in particular staff assigned to investigations, litigation, compensation, client services and complaints. This abuse leaves scars which can lead to feelings of shame, sorrow, guilt, distress and anger," said Louis Morisset, AMF President and Chief Executive Officer. He added that "through a closer relationship with CAVAC Centres across Québec, which are recognized organizations with specialized caseworkers, victims of financial crime who turn to the AMF will have better access to services and support adapted to their needs."

"These agreements will allow us to more effectively reach and assist people who do not make better use of CAVAC services, despite the impacts of victimization. Our specialized caseworkers are trained to offer front-line psycho-socio-legal services to victims of financial crime," said Danielle Giroux, head of the Laurentides CAVAC.

"Our collaboration will facilitate access to resources based on the needs of victims referred to us by AMF staff and persons close to victims," noted Marie-Claude Côté, head of the Laval CAVAC. "Our no-charge and confidential services are available to victims who seek support, whether or not the perpetrator of the crime is identified, apprehended, prosecuted or convicted. Our services are based on victims' needs and provided at the pace that's best for them," said Karine Gagnon, head of the Estrie CAVAC.

Through their rapid response, CAVAC centres meet the particular needs of persons of all ages who are crime victims or witnesses, as well as their families, regardless of whether the perpetrator of the crime has been identified, arrested, prosecuted or convicted.

The Autorité des marchés financiers ("AMF") is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec's financial sector.

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Information:

Journalists only:
Autorité des marchés financiers
Sylvain Théberge: 514-940-2176
www.lautorite.qc.ca
Twitter: @lautorite This link will open in a new window

CAVAC - Laurentides
Danielle Giroux: 450-670-3400
http://www.cavac.qc.ca/regions/laurentides/accueil.html This link will open in a new window

CAVAC - Laval
Marie-Claude Côté: 418-768-5341
http://www.cavac.qc.ca/regions/laval/accueil.html This link will open in a new window

CAVAC - Estrie
Karine Gagnon: 819-820-2822
http://www.cavac.qc.ca/regions/estrie/accueil.html This link will open in a new window