Innocence Canada; Bulletin: Relief; CBC reports that Ontario will provide the renowned, but cash-strapped, non-profit organization which has played a huge role in exonerating people who have been wrongfully convicted - including victims of former doctor Charles Smith - with $825,000 over the next three years. Reporter Kate McGillivray; CBC News. December 13, 2016.

"Ontario will provide $825,000 over three years to Innocence Canada, a non-profit organization that works to identify and exonerate people who have been wrongfully convicted. The Law Society of Upper Canada, which regulates Ontario lawyers, will also chip in $75,000 over three years, bringing the total funding to $900,000.........'This is a wonderful gift to our clients,' said Innocence Canada's Co-President Russell Silverstein.  "Innocence Canada plays an important role in our justice system by advocating for people who may have been wrongfully convicted but cannot afford a lawyer," said Ontario's Attorney General Yasir Naqvi in a statement about the new funding. Later, at a press conference, he described the organization as a "voice for the voiceless" and read aloud a list of names of people wrongly convicted in Canada, including famous cases such as David Milgaard, Steven Truscott, and Guy Paul Morin. Innocence Canada co-president Russell Silverstein spoke after Naqvi, and said he was "thrilled and grateful" to hear about the funding. As for what will happen after the three years are up, both men expressed hope that Innocence Canada will have found its way to financial sustainability and will no longer require infusions from the government. Innocence Canada was founded in 1993. Silverstein said the group has allowed 21 innocent people win exoneration."http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/innocence-canada-funding-ontario-1.3894277http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/innocence-canada-funding-ontario-1.3894277