2013-14 Report on Plans and Priorities
Section II: Analysis of programs by strategic outcome
Strategic Outcome 1: A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system
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
- Sub-program 1.1.1 Criminal Justice
- 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.
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.
2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
---|---|---|
316 | 308 | 308 |
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) |
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:
- In support of the Government's priorities, provide legal and policy advice and support the progress and passage of key law reform bills intended to enhance personal and public safety, sentencing, and criminal procedure; as well as to develop and support the Government's security and anti-terrorism policy and reform initiatives.
- Develop and support international justice sector reforms and global anti-crime and anti-terrorism measures to help ensure that Canada's foreign policy objectives are aligned with its criminal law policy in protecting Canadian interests and values.
- Work with Canadian agencies to develop models and mechanisms to enhance cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
- Continue implementation of the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program.
- Develop youth justice policy and advance programming to address guns, gangs, and drug prevention for youths in conflict with the law.
- Continue to work with police, Crown prosecutors, child protection officials, and ethno-cultural minority communities to develop educational and professional training materials to strengthen the justice system's response to all aspects of family violence, including intimate partner violence, violence against children, violence in Aboriginal communities, forced marriage and so-called honour-based violence.
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:
- Apply a "victims' lens" to criminal law reform and policy development, and collaborate with other federal departments to ensure a consistent approach to victims' issues.
- Work on policy development and information sharing with stakeholders involved in the justice system concerning the needs of victims of crime.
- Implement the Federal Victims Strategy.
- Provide grants and contributions funding to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to encourage projects and initiatives that promote access to justice for victims of crime, enable victim participation in the criminal justice system, support child advocacy centres and families of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, and support increased awareness about victims' issues and available services.
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.
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 |
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:
- to promote access by victims to existing federal programs and services for victims;
- to address complaints of victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act that apply to victims of crimes committed by offenders under federal jurisdiction;
- to promote awareness of the needs and concerns of victims and the applicable laws that benefit victims of crime, including promoting the principles set out in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime with respect to matters of federal jurisdiction, among criminal justice personnel and policy makers;
- to identify and review emerging and systemic issues, including those related to programs and services provided or administered by the Department of Justice or Public Safety Canada, that have a negative impact on victims of crime; and
- to facilitate access by victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals.
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 - 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.
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 |
2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 |
---|---|---|
3,325 | 3,260 | 3,260 |
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:
- streamline and consolidate legal services operations, one aspect of which is the creation of centres of expertise, to minimize duplication and create efficiencies;
- implement improved law and business practices such as better project management, enhanced screening of client demands, and benchmarks;
- improve effectiveness and efficiency through technology-enabled business transformation;
- implement transformative initiatives in response to electronic litigation (eDiscovery, e-filing, etc.);
- work with client organizations to manage the demand and cost of legal services delivery through improved business practices; and
- continue to closely monitor expenditures, staffing, travel costs and discretionary spending.
Throughout the year, the Department will make adjustments in accordance with the departmental Modernization Strategy.
Program 3.1: Internal Services
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
- A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system supports Social affairs, A safe and secure Canada
- 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.
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 |
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:
- implement organizational changes to consolidate Internal Services through an integrated approach to managing transition, engaging and developing employees, and consulting stakeholders;
- implement projects selected for their capacity to transform business processes through new ways of working, using modern, digital tools to create, share, and manage information securely;
- contribute to Government of Canada initiatives including the modernization of websites that serve the public, and transform departmental web publishing through a centralized model;
- modernize the Department's intranet and work toward establishing a collaborative space for employees to interact and share information;
- finalize and deliver on law practice management initiatives focused on implementing national approaches to the management of legal risk, the evaluation of dispute resolution initiatives and projects, and quality management in the provision of legal services to government;
- modernize law practices and other corporate tools using technologies consistent with Government of Canada directions;
- support the Department's Action Plan related to the 2011 Public Service Employee Survey, such as employee engagement and recognition, professional development and career progression, while ensuring that employment equity and official languages remain priorities in all human resource decisions;
- provide communications planning and support for key departmental and governmental initiatives, including high-profile litigation, legislation, programs and internal initiatives; and
- work closely with client departments and agencies for consistent whole-of-government messaging.
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:
- Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment
- Printing Unit Reduction
- Paper Consumption
- Green Procurement
- Green Meetings
For additional details on the Department of Justice's GGO activities, please see the supplementary information table Greening Government Operations.
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