2013-14 Report on Plans and Priorities

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Section II: Analysis of programs by strategic outcome

Strategic Outcome 1: A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system

Strategic Outcome 1, described below

Strategic Outcome 1 - Description

Government of Canada Outcome Area

Social affairs
A safe and secure Canada

Strategic Outcome

1. A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system supports SOCIAL AFFAIRS, A safe and secure Canada

Programs, Sub-programs and Sub-sub-programs

  • Program 1.1 Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework supports Strategic Outcome 1, and is supported by the following four Sub-programs. Sub-sub-programs support the sub-program they are listed under.
    • Sub-program 1.1.1 Criminal Justice
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.1.1 Youth Justice
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.1.2 Illicit Drugs
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.1.3 Victims of Crime
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.1.4 Integrated Market Enforcement Teams Program
    • Sub-program 1.1.2 Family Justice
    • Sub-program 1.1.3 Access to Justice
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.1 Legal Aid
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.2 Special Advocates Program
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.3 Court-Ordered Counsel in Federal Prosecutions
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.4 Justice Partnership and Innovation Program
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.5 Official Languages
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.6 Contraventions
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.3.7 Access to Justice Services in the Territories
    • Sub-program 1.1.4 Aboriginal Justice
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.4.1 Aboriginal Justice Strategy
      • Sub-sub-program 1.1.4.2 Aboriginal Courtwork Program
  • Program 1.2 Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime supports Strategic Outcome 1.

Ensuring that the Canadian justice system is fair, relevant and accessible is a responsibility that does not lie with the Department of Justice alone; rather, it involves a broad range of stakeholders including Parliament; the judiciary; federal departments and agencies; partners in provincial, territorial and municipal governments; a broad range of non-governmental organizations and stakeholders; and ultimately, all Canadians. The Department plays a major part by carrying out its fundamental role in establishing, maintaining and updating the Canadian legal framework.

This Strategic Outcome is supported by two programs: Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework and the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.

Program 1.1: Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework

Program Description

Under Canada's federal system, the administration of justice is an area of shared jurisdiction between the federal government and the provinces. Through this program, the Department fulfils its responsibility to ensure a bilingual and bijural national legal framework for the administration of justice by developing policies and laws and testing innovative approaches to strengthen the framework within the following domains: criminal justice (including youth criminal justice), family justice, access to justice, Aboriginal justice, public law and private international law. This program also includes significant ongoing funding to the provinces and territories in support of their responsibility for the day-to-day administration of justice.

Planning Summary

Through the Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program, the Department contributes to A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system by engaging and negotiating with the provinces and territories on the identification of emerging issues, the development of policy and legislative options, and the implementation of reforms to improve the justice system. The Department will also fund programs and services with regard to public safety, criminal procedure, family justice, public legal education and information, youth justice issues, illicit drugs, access to justice and Aboriginal justice programs in conjunction with ongoing dialogue with partners and stakeholders, thereby furthering the goal of strengthening the Canadian legal framework and building confidence in the national justice system.

The Department will work to enhance personal safety and the protection of property; support youth justice services, drug treatment court programs, the national divorce registry, and the enforcement of family support payments; promote legal education and knowledge sharing; improve access to justice; and support programs that ensure the justice system is fair and culturally sensitive for Aboriginal people. Together, these activities will help to increase public confidence in the justice system. New departmental performance indicators for this program look at the perceived fairness and accessibility of the national justice system as a way to measure Canadians' confidence in the justice system.

Further details of how the Department will achieve results are provided below under Planning Highlights.

Financial Resources ($ millions)
Total Budgetary Expenditures
(Main Estimates) 2013-14
Planned Spending 2013-14 Planned Spending 2014-15 Planned Spending 2015-16
380.5 383.7 343.5 339.5

Note: Planned spending excludes respendable revenue.

Human Resources (FTEs)
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
316 308 308
Program Expected Results
Expected Results Performance Indicators Targets
Canadians are confident in their national justice system Canada's international ranking with respect to fairness of the justice system 10th (by March 2014)
Percentage of Canadians who rate the accessibility of the Canadian justice system as "good" or "very good" 80% (by March 2014)
Sub- and Sub-Sub-Program Expected Results
Expected Results Performance Indicators Targets

SP 1.1.1 Criminal Justice

Canadians' personal and property safety is protected by relevant criminal law

Percentage of Canadians reporting to be "somewhat satisfied" or "very satisfied" with their personal safety 90% (by March 2015)
Percentage of Canadians who rate their level of confidence in the adult criminal justice system as 6.0 or greater on a 10-point scale 60% (by March 2015)
Percentage of Canadians who rate their level of confidence in the youth criminal justice system as 6.0 or greater on a 10-point scale 60% (by March 2015)

SSP 1.1.1.1 Youth Justice

A youth justice system that supports federal youth justice priorities

Percentage of youth court cases receiving a non-custodial sentence 85% (by March 2017)
Percentage of identified, eligible Intensive Rehabilitation Custody Supervision cases receiving specialized treatment 100% (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.1.2 Illicit Drugs

In support of the treatment component, eligible adult offenders are supported to address their drug dependencies

Percentage of participants retained for six months in federally funded Drug Treatment Court programs 25% (by March 2014)
Percentage of Drug Treatment Court participants receiving a clear drug screening result 75% (benchmark established in 2011-12)

SSP 1.1.1.3 Victims of Crime

Victims of crime have a more effective voice in the criminal justice system

Percentage of victims receiving financial assistance who report having a more effective voice in the criminal justice system 75% (by March 2014)
Percentage of applicants (registered victims) who receive funding to attend Parole Board of Canada hearings 90% (by March 2014)
Percentage of applicants who receive financial assistance as a result of being victimized abroad 80% (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.1.4 Integrated Market Enforcement Teams Program

Market fraud cases are effectively prosecuted in order to maintain confidence in Canadian capital markets

Number of cases stayed due to lack of funding for eligible exceptional costs 0 (by March 2014)
Percentage of eligible exceptional costs that are funded 100% (by March 2014)

SP 1.1.2 Family Justice

Families experiencing separation and divorce are supported by federal enforcement activities

Number of tracing applications to help find parents who are in default 21,000 (by March 2014)
Total amount of federal monies garnisheed or diverted to help pay family support $140M (by March 2014)

SP 1.1.3 Access to Justice

Canadians are able to obtain coherent information and assistance to access the justice system to resolve their legal issues

Percentage of provinces that have public legal education and information organizations supported by the Department of Justice 100% (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.1 Legal Aid

Eligible persons receive legal aid from provinces

Number of approved applications for criminal legal aid in provinces 280,000 (by March 2014)
Number of cases stayed due to lack of funded counsel for public security and anti-terrorism cases 0 (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.2 Special Advocates Program

Permanent residents and foreign nationals are protected by special advocates in Division 9 proceedings of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (alleged threats to national security)

Number of special advocates appointed to Division 9 proceedings 8 (by March 2014)
Retention rate of special advocates appointed to Division 9 cases 100% (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.3 Court-ordered Counsel in Federal Prosecutions

Federal prosecutions are not stayed due to a lack of funded defence counsel

Number of cases stayed due to lack of funded counsel for court-ordered counsel in federal prosecutions 0 (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.4 Justice Partnership and Innovation Program

Public awareness and understanding of rights, roles and responsibilities in the justice system

Percentage of participants in federally funded training and information sessions whose knowledge and understanding increases between the beginning of the session and the end of the session (pre and post tests) 80% (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.5 Justice in Official Languages

Legal communities and public awareness of official language issues in linguistic minority communities

Number of officials in the judicial system who take the training in legal terminology annually 300 (by March 2014)
Percentage of officials in the judicial system who have taken the training who are using the tools 70% (by March 2014)

Department of Justice is familiar with official language minority issues in Canada within its areas of responsibility

Percentage of new and renewed activities that incorporate the commitments of the Department of Justice regarding the implementation of Section 41 of the Official Languages Act 100% (by March 2016)

SSP 1.1.3.6 Contraventions

Use of alternatives to address minor federal statutory offences

Number of contravention tickets issued 40,000 (by March 2014)

Access to extrajudicial and judicial services related to contraventions is available in the official language of choice in designated areas

Percentage of alleged offenders requesting and receiving proceedings in the official language of their choice 100% (by March 2014)
Number of complaints with respect to a lack of judicial and extra-judicial services in the official language of choice 0 (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.3.7 Access to Justice Services in the Territories

Territorial residents have access to justice services (legal aid, public legal education and information, Aboriginal Courtwork) that respond to their unique needs and circumstances

Number of approved applications for legal aid in the territories 3,000 (by March 2014)
Number of territorial communities with resident Aboriginal Courtworkers 30 (by March 2014)

SP 1.1.4 Aboriginal Justice

A justice system that responds to the needs of Aboriginal people in a fair and culturally sensitive manner

Number of communities with Aboriginal Justice Strategy projects/programs that support community-based justice and capacity building/training 600 (by March 2017)
Number of individuals served by Aboriginal Courtwork programs in the provinces 30,000 (by March 2014)

SSP 1.1.4.1 Aboriginal Justice Strategy

Aboriginal people have access to community-based justice programs

Number of community-based justice programs 110 (by March 2014)
Number of Aboriginal people referred to Aboriginal Justice Strategy programs 10,000 (by March 2017)

SSP 1.1.4.2 Aboriginal Courtwork Program

Aboriginal people in the justice system have access to Aboriginal Courtworkers

Number of provincial communities with resident Aboriginal Courtworkers 112 (by March 2014)
Percentage of Aboriginal Courtwork Program recipients indicating a level of satisfaction of "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the information provided 80% (by March 2016)
Planning Highlights

The Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program will support the Department's organizational priorities as follows:

Priority: To enhance the personal safety and security of citizens

The Department will continue to collaborate with its partners in performing the following activities:

Priority: To provide victims of crime with a more effective voice in the criminal justice system

The Department will work in the following ways with stakeholders to support this priority:

Priority: To manage organizational change in the context of cost containment

The Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program will continue to support the organizational priority "To manage organizational change in the context of cost containment." To this end, the Department will continue to focus on increasing efficiencies and innovations and managing, with due diligence, both human resources and financial resources in ways that will ensure continued delivery of the Government's policy, program and organizational objectives.

The Department will continue to implement key strategies and activities derived from the Transformation Initiative,Footnote 5 which is now in its second phase. It will also work to improve technology that supports the Business Recovery Plan for the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance (FOAEA) system, and optimize Family Law Assistance Services' operations and service-delivery mechanisms for the FOAEA Unit and the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings by identifying and implementing efficiencies and greener alternatives through enhancements to technology in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial partners.

Furthermore, the Department will work to find potential enhancements to the Grants and Contributions Information Management System, including the clustering initiative launched by the Department of Canadian Heritage.

In addition to the activities that specifically address the Department's organizational priorities, the Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program will continue to support justice-related programming.

It will provide funding to the provinces and territories to support the delivery of criminal legal aid, public security and anti-terrorism legal aid, and court-ordered counsel in federal prosecutions; seek the renewal of immigration and refugee legal aid; and implement new five-year contribution agreements with the provinces respecting criminal, youth justice, and immigration and refugee legal aid. The Department will also continue to implement the Special Advocates Program and a renewed Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund as part of the Government's strategy on official languages.

The Department will continue to examine various family law issues. The Department will also continue to implement the Supporting Families Experiencing Separation or Divorce Initiative (SFI) through family justice services funding agreements with provinces and territories; support public legal education and information (PLEI) and professional training project agreements with non-government organizations; and produce and update national SFI PLEI materials.

In support of Aboriginal justice, the Department will implement the renewal strategy for the Aboriginal Justice Strategy in collaboration with the provinces, territories and Aboriginal communities; and implement the renewal strategy for the Aboriginal Courtwork Program.

Together, these activities will contribute to the confidence of Canadians in the national justice system, which will be monitored using surveys and public opinion research, as set out in the Department's Performance Measurement Framework.

Program 1.2: Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

Program Description

This program activity raises awareness of the needs and concerns of victims in areas of federal responsibility, provides an independent resource that addresses victims' complaints about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that apply to victims of offenders under federal supervision, and assists victims in accessing existing federal programs and services.

Financial Resources (Planned Spending-$ millions)
Total Budgetary Expenditures
(Main Estimates) 2013-14
Planned Spending 2013-14 Planned Spending 2014-15 Planned Spending 2015-16
1.3 1.3 1.3 1.3
Human Resources (FTEs)
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
9 9 9

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime was established in 2007 as an arm's length program activity of the Department of Justice. The Ombudsman reports directly to the Minister of Justice, and the Office therefore falls outside the Department's governance framework. The Office receives corporate services support from the Department.

The mandate of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, which relates exclusively to matters of federal responsibility, is:

Program Expected Results
Expected Results Performance Indicators Targets
Victims of crime have effective access to information on their rights and the federal programs and services that are available to them Year-over-year percentage increase of client contacts with the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime 10% (by March 2014)
Victims of crime have access to a neutral review process to address complaints about federal programs, services, laws or policies regarding victims of crime Year-over-year percentage increase of complaints registered and processed/reviewed 5% (by March 2014)
Federal departments, agencies and other stakeholders effect positive change for victims of crime Percentage of Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime recommendations submitted and acknowledged and/or acted upon 100% (by March 2014)
Planning Highlights

For further information regarding the activities of the Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime, please visit the Office's website.

Strategic Outcome 2: A federal government supported by high-quality legal services

Strategic Outcome 2, described below

Strategic Outcome 2 - Description

Government of Canada Outcome Area

Government affairs
Well-managed and efficient government operations

Strategic Outcome

2. A federal government supported by high-quality legal services supports Government affairs, Well-managed and efficient government operations

Program

2.1 Legal Services to Government Program supports Strategic Outcome 2: A federal government supported by high-quality legal services.

Under the Department of Justice Act, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada provides high-quality legal services to the federal government and its departments and agencies. According to section 4 of the Act, the Minister is the legal member of the Queen's Privy Council responsible for seeing that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law. Under section 4.1, the Minister is responsible for drafting and reviewing all government regulations prior to registration to ensure they conform with the Statutory Instruments Act and all government bills prior to tabling in Parliament to ensure that the bills are not inconsistent with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Additionally, under section 5 of the Department of Justice Act, the Attorney General is responsible for advising the heads of government departments on all matters of law and for conducting all litigation for any federal department or agency of the Crown with respect to any subject within the authority or jurisdiction of Canada.

The Department seeks to attain this strategic outcome through one program: the Legal Services to Government Program.

Program 2.1: Legal Services to Government Program

Program Description

The Department of Justice provides an integrated suite of high-quality legal advisory, litigation and legislative services to the Minister of Justice and to all federal departments and agencies to support them in meeting the Government's policy and programming priorities and to advance the overall objectives of the Government. Services are provided through a network of departmental legal services units co-located with client departments and agencies; specialized legal capacities within national headquarters; and a network of regional offices and sub-offices providing legal advisory and litigation services to federal departments and agencies across the country.

Planning Summary

As part of their ongoing delivery of high-quality legal services, Justice counsel will continue to work with client departments and agencies to ensure that legal services are aligned with Government priorities and legal risks are considered and managed. Through legal advice and legislative and litigation services, the Department will support Government priorities, represent the Crown's interest before courts and tribunals, and deliver on the Government's legislative agenda.

The Department will strategically align human resources and financial resources to ensure that this program activity continues to be effective.

Financial Resources ($ millions)
Total Budgetary Expenditures
(Main Estimates) 2013-14
Planned Spending 2013-14 Planned Spending 2014-15 Planned Spending 2015-16
192.3 204.0 186.2 181.7
Human Resources (FTEs)
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
3,325 3,260 3,260
Program Expected Results
Expected Results Performance Indicators Targets
Federal departments and agencies receive high-quality legal services Client satisfaction mean rating on the overall quality of legal advisory, litigation, legislative and regulatory drafting services 8.0/10 for each type of service (by June 2016)
Client satisfaction mean rating on the Department of Justice performance against service standards for the delivery of legal services 8.0/10 for each service standard (by June 2016)
The Crown's interest is represented before courts and tribunals Percentage of litigation files that have a successful outcome (settled and adjudicated) 70% (by April 2014)
Comprehensive delivery on the Government's legislative agenda Number of bills tabled in Parliament (House of Commons and Senate) and regulations published in the Canada Gazette 500 (by March 2014)
Planning Highlights

The Legal Services to Government Program contributes to the second strategic outcome: A federal government supported by high-quality legal services. In 2013-14, the Department will work with client departments and agencies to implement a number of modernization initiatives designed to streamline and consolidate legal services operations and to manage the demand and the cost of delivery.

The Legal Services to Government Program will support the Department's organizational priorities as follows:

Priority: To support the Government of Canada's priorities, including the 2012 Economic Action Plan, through high-quality legal services

In fulfilling this organizational priority, the Department will continue to provide high-quality legal services to client departments and agencies covering a broad range of policy and program areas, which are grouped into the Government's four spending areas used in Canada's Report on Plans and Priorities. The four spending areas are Economic Affairs, Social Affairs, International Affairs and Government Affairs.

Economic Affairs

In support of Economic Affairs, the Department will:

  • help prepare the federal Budget and implementing legislation;
  • support the implementation of the priorities set out in the Federal Framework on Aboriginal Economic Development;
  • support the Government's trade-liberalization agenda;
  • defend Canada's economic interests in litigation before international trade and investments tribunals;
  • support the development and delivery of new online services to Canadians on key programs such as the Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security and Employment Insurance;
  • support the introduction of complementary measures to ensure the safe and environmentally responsible development of Canada's natural resources, including legislative amendments to the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to enhance Canada's Marine Oil Spill Preparedness and Response Regime;
  • support natural resource development projects involving multiple departments, including environmental assessments and processes done or overseen by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, the Major Project Management Office, and the Northern Project Management Office and on any related litigation, and major oil sands and gas pipeline projects; and
  • help to make Canada's critical trade infrastructure safer and more efficient through the construction of a new Windsor-Detroit crossing and the planning and construction of a new bridge for the St. Lawrence River in the Greater Montreal Area.
Social Affairs

In support of Social Affairs, the Department will:

  • defend against legal challenges to the constitutionality of Criminal Code provisions, including those related to prostitution and assisted suicide;
  • support the development of social innovation approaches to community safety, including investment projects to benefit communities;
  • support Specific Claims: Justice At Last-Canada's Specific Claims Action Plan by providing legal advice on managing risks and fulfilling commitments related to its implementation, and by representing the Government before the Specific Claims Tribunal;
  • provide legal advice on implementing outstanding obligations under the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and support efforts to manage other litigation associated with the federal role in caring for Aboriginal children;
  • continue implementation of the risk-based compliance initiative and the administrative monetary penalties regime, in particular its review and appeal processes under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act;
  • work on implementing the Protecting Canada's Immigration System Act and continue to provide litigation support to help address the significant increase in cases expected in relation to recent immigration law reforms; and
  • examine the regime for access to marijuana for medical purposes.
International Affairs

In support of International Affairs, the Department will:

  • strengthen collaboration to streamline and secure the US-Canada border and enhance regulatory cooperation, ensuring that people and goods can flow freely and safely between the two countries;
  • support clients in the implementation of the Beyond the Border Action Plan which identifies the following as key areas of cooperation: addressing threats early, facilitating trade, promoting economic growth and jobs, integrated cross-border law enforcement, and critical infrastructure and cyber security;
  • continue working with federal, provincial, territorial and international counterparts to modernize and harmonize areas of private law by developing international instruments, implementing them in Canada, and monitoring their operation abroad;
  • conduct litigation under the Extradition Act and Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters Act;
  • represent the Government's interests in litigation with a national security dimension, including challenges to security certificates issued under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act;
  • work with international partners and continue to provide justice-sector technical assistance (through projects funded by the Canadian International Development Agency and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade) to help ensure that other countries' domestic legal frameworks adequately support international efforts to promote security and combat organized crime and terrorism;
  • provide legal advice on Canada's rights and obligations in the negotiation of international trade and investment agreements;
  • provide advice on Canadian law and policy for a variety of international activities related to women's and children's human rights, particularly in the context of family violence; and
  • provide immediate and regular consular advisory and legal services on high-profile and complex consular litigation and national security cases.
Government Affairs

In support of Government Affairs, the Department will:

  • support the implementation of new tax measures announced in the 2012 Budget, such as protecting the integrity and fairness of the Canadian tax system by closing tax loopholes and entering more tax agreements to combat aggressive tax planning and the underground economy;
  • support tax initiatives, such as ensuring the proper functioning of the harmonized sales tax revenue allocation framework in the harmonized provinces, and continue to improve the administration of various tax agreements with provincial, territorial and Aboriginal governments;
  • continue to provide legal services that will assist the coordination of audit and collections to address international tax planning arrangements, the use of tax shelters and other targeted compliance issues, including treaty abuses, tax avoidance, determination of residence and abuse of law in the international context;
  • provide all litigation services to the Canada Revenue Agency, including large-scale projects such as group appeals by large numbers of taxpayers on similar issues, and complex litigation files in tax assessment, collections and civil matters;
  • continue to work with other federal departments and agencies on regulatory amendments to ensure successful implementation of the Contraventions Act; and
  • provide advice on the implementation of the recommendations of the Red Tape Reduction Commission and the five-year parliamentary review of the Lobbying Act, as well as on the implementation of Canada's Action Plan on Open Government.
Priority: To manage organizational change in the context of cost containment

In support of this priority, the Legal Services to Government Program will, among other initiatives:

Throughout the year, the Department will make adjustments in accordance with the departmental Modernization Strategy.

Program 3.1: Internal Services

Internal Services, described below

Internal Services - Description

Government of Canada Outcome Areas

Social affairs
A safe and secure Canada
Government affairs
Well-managed and efficient government operations

Strategic Outcomes

  1. A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system supports Social affairs, A safe and secure Canada
  2. A federal government supported by high-quality legal services supports Government affairs, Well-managed and efficient government operations

Program, Sub-programs and Sub-sub-programs

Program 3.1 Internal Services supports both strategic outcomes and is supported by the following three Sub-programs. The Sub-sub-programs support the Sub-program they are listed under.

  • Sub-program 3.1.1 Governance & Management Support
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.1.1 Management and Oversight
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.1.2 Communications
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.1.3 Legal
  • Sub-program 3.1.2 Resource Management Services
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.2.1 Human Resources Management
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.2.2 Financial
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.2.3 Information Management
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.2.4 Information Technology
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.2.5 Travel and Other
  • Sub-program 3.1.3 Asset Management Services
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.3.1 Real Property
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.3.2 Materiel
    • Sub-sub-program 3.1.3.3 Acquisition
Program Description

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of the Department's programs and its corporate obligations as a federal department. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Law Practice Management Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across the Department and are not specifically dedicated to a program.

This program activity supports both of the Department's strategic outcomes. The high-quality services and support provided by Internal Services allow the Department to minimize corporate risks and support Government priorities.

Planning Summary

The Internal Services Program will continue to support management across the organization. It will implement organizational changes and apply work force management strategies to mitigate the Department's risks and support organizational priorities. The Department will strategically align human resources and financial resources to ensure the continued effectiveness of this program activity.

Financial Resources ($ millions)
Total Budgetary Expenditures
(Main Estimates) 2013-14
Planned Spending 2013-14 Planned Spending 2014-15 Planned Spending 2015-16
83.4 159.1 95.7 95.0
Human Resources (FTEs)
2013-14 2014-15 2015-16
1,069 1,066 1,066
Planning Highlights

The Internal Services Program supports the achievement of both of the Department's strategic outcomes: A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system and A federal government supported by high-quality legal services. In 2013-14, the Program will continue to restructure as it supports the Department's organizational priority "to manage organizational change in the context of cost containment."

Priority: To manage organizational change in the context of cost containment

Internal Services will contribute to this organizational priority by implementing organizational changes; enhancing approaches to and tools for managing and sharing information; optimizing the use of communications technologies; renewing law and business practices in support of the provision of legal services; and managing change through an integrated strategy focused on employee and stakeholder engagement.

In support of this priority, the Internal Services will engage in the following key files and activities:

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
Contribution to the Federal
Sustainable Development Strategy

The Department of Justice is a participant in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and contributes to meeting the Greening Government Operations (GGO) targets through the Internal Services program. The Department contributes to the following target areas of Theme IV of the FSDS:

For additional details on the Department of Justice's GGO activities, please see the supplementary information table Greening Government Operations.