OTTAWA -- The Liberal government is moving to once again allow judges to waive a victim surcharge imposed on offenders if they cannot afford to pay it.

The change is among promised reforms to the criminal justice system -- expected to include an overhaul of the tough-on-crime agenda championed by the Conservatives -- that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould to bring in.

The surcharge was introduced in 1989 as a way to make offenders bear some of the costs of programs and services for victims, but judges were given the discretion to waive the fee if it would cause "undue hardship" to offenders or their dependents.

That changed three years ago, when the Conservative government made the surcharge mandatory -- irrespective of the ability to pay -- and also doubled the levy.

The amendments Wilson-Raybould has tabled would not change the amount, a 30 per cent surcharge on any fine levied, or a fee of $100 or $200, depending on the offence, if there is no fine.

The Conservative changes sparked protests from some judges, who either refused to impose the surcharge for impoverished offenders or levied fines so small that the surcharge amounted to nickels and dimes.