Widows, children of men slain in mosque shooting denied victims compensation by Quebec

The families of men who died in the Quebec City mosque shooting don't have the right to financial assistance despite the loss of their breadwinners, according to Quebec's compensation board for victims of crime.

They are entitled to psychological services, but not financial compensation which is reserved for victims injured at the scene under the eligibility rules of the Indemnisation desvictimesd'actescriminels (IVAC).

The widow of Aboubaker Thabti, one of six men killed in the shooting, applied for financial assistancethrough IVAC, claiming she, too, is a victim of trauma and has beenunable to work sinceher husband's death.

Her application was denied.

Lawyer MarcBellemare, who represents Thabti and the loved ones of other victims, is contestingIVAC'srulingat theQuebecadministrative tribunal, which can overturn itsdecisions.

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He said offering widows therapy isn't sufficient, as they now struggle to support themselves and their children.

"They suffer a lot, and they suffer more because they don't have money to butter their bread," Bellemaretold CBC News.

Appeal hearing 2 years away

Bellemaresays he's is confident the families will receive compensation in the end, but notes there is such a backlog of casesthat the wait for an appeal hearing is 25 to 27 months.

He says there's a precedent for compensating families of murder victims.

In 2013, the tribunal ruledthat his client, Patrick Desautels,who found his three children slainin 2012, was entitled to financial support through IVAC.

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That was the first time in four decadesIVACwas forced to expand its definition of "victim."

The administrative tribunal is not bound by legal precedents, but Bellemaresaid he still believes the nine people he's representing will win their cases.

"These people will have permanent disability," he said.

Monday marks the first anniversary of the mosque shooting, and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardsaidhe plans to attend memorialevents.

Bellemaresaid such a demonstrationof support isnot enough.

"Couillard will say he's helping the people, will do everything for them, but that's not the way it is on the ground. On the ground, they don't receive anything from the government," he said.

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This story is part ofCBC'sin-depth look at the aftermath of the shooting at the mosque in Quebec City one year ago.CBCwill also have special coverage of thecommemorative eventsonMonday, Jan. 29, including live radio, TV and online broadcasts.