2017–18 Departmental Results Report
Minister's Message
I am pleased to present the Department of Justice’s 2017-18 Departmental Results Report.
This report details the accomplishments of the Department of Justice over the past year, which were made possible through the support, professionalism and expertise of departmental staff.
During this time, the Department continued to carry out its mandate to provide high-quality advisory, legislative, and litigation services to the federal government, and to ensure that Canada’s justice system is fair, efficient, transparent, and accessible for all.
The Department has once again helped support many of the Government of Canada’s key priorities, such as the important and necessary work involved in renewing the Government’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. These efforts included supporting the Government in its commitment to respond to the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission; and contributing to the Principles Respecting the Government of Canada’s Relationship with Indigenous Peoples. In another significant step forward, the Department also worked on legislation aimed at enhancing the role of Indigenous peoples in environmental review and oversight.
As work to transform the criminal justice system continues, the Department recently completed extensive public consultations and published a report entitled, “What We Heard – Transforming Canada’s Criminal Justice System.”
In addition, the Department was also instrumental in drafting legislation aimed at addressing delays in the criminal justice system, in response to the Supreme Court of Canada’s 2016 decision in R. v. Jordan. The proposed legislative changes include reforms to help reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous people and vulnerable populations in the criminal justice system and change the way juries are selected, so they are more representative of our diverse country.
The Department also played a prominent role in establishing a framework for the legalization and strict regulation of cannabis, while also working to further enhance impaired driving detection and enforcement legislation.
I am very proud of the work the Department has done to further tackle family violence and violence against women, including proposed measures to strengthen the existing framework for the prevention of harassment and violence, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in the work place and proposed measures to address intimate partner violence in the recently introduced family law reform bill.
In support of my role as Attorney General of Canada, the Department continues to conduct a review of the Government’s litigation strategy. Our 2017 Litigation Year in Review report highlights some of the litigation positions we took in 2017, and focuses on four main themes: compensating for past wrongs, maintaining our commitment to human rights and the Charter, defending our national security, and intervening before the courts in the public interest.
As part of its responsibilities for policy matters relating to the administration of justice, departmental staff once again provided extensive support to the Government in meeting its commitment to uphold Canada’s Constitution and the rule of law, and in carrying out its domestic and international policy objectives.
The Department has also continued its efforts to modernize and make better use of technological advances. It has adopted a digital-by-default approach that enhances the Department’s capacity to engage with Canadians online, which allows for improved response to the needs of the public.
I would like to thank all Justice employees for their dedication to public service, and for their contributions in helping to make Canada’s justice system more efficient, just, and responsive to the diverse communities it serves.
Gilakas’la.
The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
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