Evaluation of Legislative Services
June 2023
Evaluation Branch
Internal Audit and Evaluation Sector
Acknowledgement
The Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive would like to thank the Evaluation Working Group, evaluation team and individuals who contributed insights and input to this evaluation. Evaluation participants included employees from the Department of Justice Canada, representatives from a range of other federal departments and agencies and other legislative services stakeholders.
Acronyms
ALIS Advisory and Legislative Initiatives Services
CAILS Constitutional, Administrative, and International Law Section
EWG Evaluation Working Group
FTE Full-Time Equivalent
FY Fiscal Year
GBA Gender-Based Analysis
IFMS Integrated Financial and Material System
Department of Justice Canada Justice Canada
LSB Legislative Services Branch
LSU Legal Services Unit
PCO Privy Council Office
PDA Pre-Drafting Authority
PLLSS Public Law and Legislative Services Sector
RBPS Revision, Bijuralism and Publishing Services
RIAS Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements
SLSS Specialized Legislative Services Section
Glossary
The following definitions are used for the purpose of this report:
Cabinet
A body of ministers that makes certain government decisions related to policies and priorities for the country.
Co-Development
In the context of this evaluation, co-development refers to a process where various stakeholders collaborate in the policy development and/or legislative drafting. It is to be distinguished from co-drafting, which involves the drafting of the English and French versions of a legislative text simultaneously.
Governor in Council
The concept refers to the Governor General acting in an executive capacity on the advice of the federal Cabinet. In the context of this evaluation, the Governor in Council has the authority to make most delegated legislation principally regulations.
Incorporation by Reference
A mechanism allowing a document that is not included in the text of regulations to be made a part of that regulation.
Instructing or Sponsoring Department or Agency
The immediate authority that provides instructions or feedback to members of the Legislative Services Branch or the Finance Legal Services Unit as part of a drafting process. In the case of legislation, this may include representatives from central agencies or from a department or agency, which is sponsoring the bill on behalf of the federal government. In the case of regulations, it typically refers to representatives from the department or agency holding the authority to make or recommend making regulations.
Legislative Drafting
Unless stated otherwise, legislative drafting covers both drafting of bills and regulations.
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