2014-15 Report on Plans and Priorities
Section II: Analysis of programs by strategic outcomes
Strategic Outcome 1: A Fair, Relevant and Accessible Canadian Justice System
The Department plays a stewardship role in ensuring a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system. This Strategic Outcome is a shared responsibility among a broad range of players, 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.
Program 1.1: Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework
2014-15 PAA Program Description
The Department fulfils its stewardship role by ensuring a bilingual and bijural national legal framework for the administration of justice that contributes to a safe and just society for all Canadians and confidence in Canada's justice system. The Department develops and tests innovative approaches to strengthen the legal framework within the following domains: criminal law, youth criminal justice, sentencing, official languages, marriage and divorce, access to justice, legal dualism, and Aboriginal justice. In addition, in view of the federal government's shared interest in a sustainable justice system, the Department promotes and facilitates ongoing dialogue with the provinces and territories in the areas of shared jurisdiction and provides funding for the delivery of programs that directly support federal policy objectives.
| 2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 348,317,035 | 348,317,035 | 344,339,285 | 343,839,285 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 276 | 276 | 276 |
| Program Expected Result | Performance Indicator | Target | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Justice laws and policies promote a fair, accessible and relevant justice system in Canada | Canada's international ranking with respect to fairness of the justice system | 10th | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
Through the Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program, the Department develops and coordinates all federal justice legislative reforms, policy options, and initiatives that promote a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system. In 2014-15, the Department will continue its work aimed at promoting laws, policies, and initiatives that support the following two organizational priorities: "To ensure that the justice system continues to enhance the personal safety and security of citizens through criminal laws, policies, and programs;" and "To support victims of crime." As per the risk response strategy, the Department will continue to monitor emerging trends to inform forward planning and allow for a more timely response to new and emerging policy priorities. Moreover, it will continue to maintain its essential partnerships in support of policy and program development and delivery.
The Department will focus on initiatives that support the passage of key law reform bills as well as the first-ever Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. With the aim of safeguarding families and communities, the Department will support key Government initiatives aimed at effectively addressing cyberbullying that involves criminal invasion of privacy, intimidation, and personal abuse; keeping streets safe by ending the practice of automatic early release for serious repeat offenders; and protecting children against sexual exploitation by increasing maximum and minimum sentences. The Department will provide legal services in support of the introduction of legislation to ensure that public safety is the primary consideration when decisions are made involving accused persons found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial. It will also provide legal services in support of the introduction of "Quanto's law" to honour and protect police officers and their service animals.
To further enhance the Canadian legal framework and support the Canadian justice system, the Department will fund initiatives to improve access to justice and legal representation. Through continued work with the provinces and a multifaceted system of grants and contributions, the Department will help Canadians seeking assistance and legal information in order to resolve their legal issues, whether through the formal justice system or through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
The Department will continue to work to ensure that Canada remains a recognized international leader in the fair administration of its justice system. These initiatives will help ensure that Canadians can continue to have confidence in criminal and family laws.
Sub-program 1.1.1: Legal Policies and Laws
2014-15 PAA Sub-program Description
The Department develops and coordinates all federal justice legislative reforms, policy options, and initiatives that promote a fair, accessible, and relevant justice system for the benefit of Canadians. This includes the areas of criminal justice, victims of crime, youth justice, family justice, official languages, contraventions, illicit drugs (via the National Anti-Drug Strategy), legal dualism, Aboriginal justice, security, and terrorism. The Department monitors developments in justice law, policy, and procedure; develops and implements options for law, enforcement, and policy reforms through legislation; develops and provides information and services to implement policies and laws; and provides advice to other federal departments in matters related to justice-related laws and policies. As the administration of justice is an area of shared jurisdiction, the Department works closely with the provinces and territories in support of their responsibility for the day to day administration of justice. The Department also responds to parliamentary business involving justice matters, including Government bills, private members' bills, and parliamentary reviews. Furthermore, the Department supports the Government's international priorities related to justice – namely, the provision of policy advice in the development of Canada's international justice policies, the negotiation either through bilateral or multilateral forums of international norms, treaties and conventions, and the development of legal cooperation programs as well as the provision of legal technical assistance to foreign countries seeking to reform their justice systems.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 25,169,161 | 24,979,946 | 24,979,946 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 227 | 227 | 227 |
| Sub-program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadians have confidence in Canada's criminal and family laws | Percentage of Canadians who rate their level of confidence in adult criminal law as 6.0 or greater on a 10-point scale | 60 | March 2015 |
| Percentage of Canadians who rate their level of confidence in youth criminal law as 6.0 or greater on a 10-point scale | 60 | March 2015 | |
| Total amount of federal monies garnisheed to help satisfy family support orders or agreements | $160 million | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
Enhancing the confidence of citizens in their criminal and family justice systems is a core objective for the Department of Justice in its role as steward of the Canadian Legal Framework Program. Over the fiscal year, the Department will continue to support federal justice legislative reform and initiatives that address key areas of the justice system – namely, criminal and international justice, victims of crime, family justice, youth justice, illicit drugs, Aboriginal justice, and official languages. Using the performance indicator of a rating of 6 out of 10 or greater in public confidence in adult and youth criminal laws by 60 percent or more of Canadians, the Department will further the goal of enhancing public confidence in Canadian laws by providing justice partners with the necessary legal framework.
The Department will continue to support victims of crime and prevent victimization, especially among Aboriginal women, through a renewed Federal Victims Strategy, which will contribute to increased awareness of the needs of victims and the impacts of victimization and will assist with the implementation of principles, guidelines, and laws designed to address the needs of victims.
In addition to supporting victims, the Department will support fair and effective programming for youth aged 12 to 17 involved in the criminal justice system through its Youth Justice Services Funding Program and Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program. The Department will also work to enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the youth criminal justice system by developing, analyzing, and providing advice on youth justice law, policy, and research; and by working collaboratively with provinces, territories, and justice partners to identify emerging youth justice issues and determine appropriate responses.
Moreover, the Department will continue to support families and Canadians by working with its justice partners and Canadian communities to develop professional training and outreach materials, as well as public legal education and information material related to family violence. It will also optimize the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings and the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance system. In parallel, it will continue to engage and negotiate with the provinces and territories to identify emerging issues, develop policy and legislative options, implement reforms to improve the justice system, strengthen processes and procedures in international family law cases, and enhance inter-jurisdictional support.
To further enhance the safety of Canadians and their confidence in the criminal justice system, the Department will continue to lead the interdepartmental National Anti-Drug Strategy. It will also collaborate with federal departments and agencies to develop mechanisms to bolster cross-border law enforcement cooperation.
Finally, the Department will continue to work with international partners to ensure that domestic legal frameworks and international instruments adequately support international efforts to combat crime, including organized crime, cybercrime, corruption, and terrorism.
Sub-program 1.1.2: Justice System Support
2014-15 PAA Sub-program Description
The Department, through grant and contribution funding, supports access to the justice system by enabling Canadians to obtain assistance and legal information in order to resolve their legal issues, whether in the formal justice system or through alternative resolution mechanisms. The Department provides ongoing funding to provincial, territorial, and non-governmental organizations, and Aboriginal groups and communities. This program provides justice system support to advance federal justice policy in the following core domains: criminal justice (including youth justice and victims of crime), family justice, access to justice, official languages, contraventions, and Aboriginal justice.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 323,147,873 | 319,359,339 | 318,859,339 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 49 | 49 | 49 |
| Sub-program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| A justice system that is accessible to Canadians | Percentage of federal justice system support funding provided to provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations, and Aboriginal groups and communities to inform and assist Canadians in resolving their legal matters | 100 | March 2015 |
| Percentage of provinces with designated public legal education and information organizations supported by the Department that provide legal information | 100 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
To help ensure that the Canadian justice system is accessible, the Department will continue to support and provide funding to organizations that produce, provide, and maintain public legal education and information material to Canadians.
In addition, the Department will help Canadians resolve their legal matters by striving to improve the provision of legal aid and accessibility to the justice system. It will focus on the areas of criminal justice and legal representation, victims of crime, youth justice, family justice, Aboriginal and Northern justice, and justice in official languages. In parallel, the Department will enhance its internal management of grants and contributions by focusing on service standards, stakeholder engagement, and efficiency measures.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.1: Criminal Justice and Legal Representation
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through contribution and grant funding, facilitates access to justice and the functioning of the Canadian criminal justice system. The Department provides funding to provincial legal aid plans and designated counsel to help ensure that economically disadvantaged individuals deemed in need of legal assistance have access to legal advice and representation when facing a serious and/or complex criminal charge, the immigration and refugee determination system, or Division 9 proceedings of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (alleged threats to national security). Funding is also made available to other partners in the justice system for specialized criminal justice programs and services to improve access to justice as well as for the development of public legal education resources to respond to the legal information needs of Canadians. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: Legal Aid Program, Public Security and Anti-terrorism Legal Aid, Court-Ordered Counsel in Federal Prosecutions, Drug Treatment Court Funding Program, Integrated Market Enforcement Teams Reserve Fund (IMET), Special Advocates Program, International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit), The Hague Conference on Private International Law, and Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP), which includes funding to enhance the justice system's response to family violence through the Family Violence Initiative.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 123,811,916 | 121,381,916 | 120,881,916 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 30 | 30 | 30 |
| Sub-sub-program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced capacity of provinces and their legal aid plans to deliver criminal legal aid services to eligible economically disadvantaged persons | Number of approved applications for criminal legal aid in provinces | 270,000 | March 2015 |
| Eligible persons are represented in court so cases proceed | Number of stays (cases temporarily suspended or stopped altogether) due to the lack of funded counsel for court-ordered counsel in federal prosecutions and in public security and anti-terrorism cases | 0 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
Through targeted contribution and grant funding, the Department provides support to initiatives that safeguard legal representation and access to the Canadian justice system.
With the goal of improving legal representation, the Department will work in collaboration with provinces and territories to provide legal aid to economically disadvantaged persons, targeting 270,000 approved applications in 2014-15 for criminal legal aid in provinces. In addition, it will support the provision of adult and youth criminal legal aid, public security and anti-terrorism legal aid, and court-ordered counsel in federal prosecutions. Moreover, it will work with key justice stakeholders through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program and seek renewal of the Special Advocates Program, which protects the interests of permanent residents or foreign nationals subject to security proceedings under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Such undertakings will allow cases to proceed through the justice system and further support a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.
The Department will continue to implement its components of the National Anti-Drug Strategy to safeguard families and promote healthy communities. The renewed strategy for the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program will also be implemented, providing non-violent offenders who have a drug addiction with the opportunity to benefit from court-monitored treatment and community service support.
Funding for the development of public legal education and information material to respond to the legal information needs of Canadians will complement these activities and ensure that citizens have access to the information they need when they need it.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.2: Victims of Crime
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through grant and contribution funding, aims to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The Department provides funding to provincial and territorial governments and non-governmental organizations to increase awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation, and services available, as well as to develop and deliver victim programs, services, and assistance to meet gaps in services for victims of crime. The Department also provides direct, limited, emergency financial assistance to individual victims in certain specified circumstances, including travel for registered victims to attend Parole Board of Canada hearings and for Canadians victimized abroad. This program uses funding from the following transfer payment: the Victims Fund.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 11,779,665 | 10,884,442 | 10,884,442 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sub-sub-program Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victims of crime have a more effective voice in the criminal justice system | Percentage of federal victims funding accessed by provinces/territories, non-governmental organizations, and individuals to advance victim assistance and participation in the criminal justice system | 100 | March 2015 |
| Percentage of victims receiving financial assistance who report having a more effective voice in the criminal justice system | 90 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
The planned introduction of Canada's first-ever Canadian Victims Bill of Rights represents a significant step toward granting victims of crime a more effective voice within Canada's criminal justice system. This initiative, along with additional priorities announced in the 2013 Speech from the Throne, such as renewed commitments to protect children from sexual exploitation and efforts to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women, will enable the Department to help support victims more effectively.
The provision of financial assistance to victims of crime by provinces, territories, and non-governmental organizations assists victims and provides enhanced opportunities to participate in the Canadian justice system. By financially supporting these initiatives and removing financial barriers for victims of crime, the Department plays a significant role in safeguarding the accessibility of the justice system and ensuring that victims have a more effective voice.
To further contribute to the priority "To support victims of crime," the Department will provide provinces, territories, and non-governmental organizations with funding to address the issue of missing and murdered Aboriginal women. It will also provide funding in support of Child Advocacy Centres. These centres provide a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of child and youth victims and witnesses in the criminal justice system and provide a single, child-friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families to seek services.
Concerted efforts by justice partners and the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to remove financial barriers will increase awareness of the needs of victims among professionals and the public. To assess advancement in victim assistance in 2014-15, the Department has identified a target of 90 percent of victims receiving financial assistance reporting having a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. The continued implementation of initiatives addressing the specific needs of certain victims of crime will contribute directly to a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system and to the Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework Program.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.3: Youth Justice
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through contribution and grant funding, supports fair and effective programming for youth aged 12 to 17 involved in the criminal justice system. The Department directs resources towards the federal youth justice priorities of holding youth accountable through measures that are proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and degree of responsibility of the young person, promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of young persons who have committed offences, and supporting the prevention of crime by referring young persons to programs or agencies in the community, while also assisting the provinces and territories in their responsibility of administering the Youth Criminal Justice Act. A portion of discretionary funding also exists which allows the Department to encourage innovation around emerging youth justice issues (e.g., rehabilitation, treatment, reintegration, programming). This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: the Youth Justice Fund, Youth Justice Services, and Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 158,435,703 | 157,972,392 | 157,972,392 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Program Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| A youth justice system that supports federal youth justice priorities | Percentage of youth court cases receiving a non-custodial (community-based) sentence | 85 | March 2017 |
| Percentage of identified, eligible Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision cases receiving specialized treatment | 100 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
In support of federal youth justice priorities, the Department will encourage innovative approaches to emerging youth justice issues and work to advance projects that support a more effective youth justice system and enable greater citizen and community participation in this area of justice. As such, the Department will continue to manage the Youth Justice Fund, which provides funding for a broad range of projects that provide support to young Canadians in the justice system focusing on health issues and cognitive impairments. This fund also contributes to drug treatment programming and promotes the provision of community-based activities to ultimately allow youth to resist gang involvement.
In line with its funding commitment to support fair and effective programming for youth involved in the criminal justice system and to promote a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system, the Department will also implement renewal strategies for two key transfer payment programs: the Youth Justice Services Funding Program, and the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program.
By funding programs and projects, such as those that provide youth with options regarding non-custodial sentences, rehabilitative custody, and drug treatment, the Department offers a coordinated approach to ensure that the youth justice system supports federal youth justice priorities.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.4: Family Justice
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through contribution and grant funding, provides support to Canadians experiencing separation and divorce by facilitating the effective delivery of programs and services, such as parent education, mediation, support enforcement, and child support recalculation, and by developing family law information and training resources. Family justice funding assists the provinces and territories to develop and provide family justice services and programs that are aimed at enhancing the capacity of parents to reach appropriate custody, access, and support agreements and to comply with those agreements. Federal funding also assists non-governmental organizations in developing family law information and training resources, supports implementation of the Department's legislative obligations and policy priorities in the area of family justice, and provides support to program evaluation by collecting and reporting on the funding data. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: the Supporting Families Fund.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Table note *
-
Under the Family Justice PAA, the Supporting Families Experiencing Separation and Divorce Initiative will sunset on March 31, 2014.
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
- Table note †
-
Under the Family Justice PAA, the Supporting Families Experiencing Separation and Divorce Initiative will sunset on March 31, 2014.
| Sub-sub-program Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| A family justice system that supports access to family justice information, services, and programs for Canadians experiencing separation and divorce | Percentage of federal funds accessed by provinces, territories, and non-governmental organizations to help defray the costs of developing and delivering family justice programs, services, and information and training resources | 100 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
Subject to the program's renewal, the Department will continue to consolidate its support to Canadians experiencing separation and divorce. Through contribution funding, it will implement family justice services funding agreements with provinces and territories. These agreements will ensure that parents have access to justice information to help them with decisions related to custody, access and support agreements and compliance with their family obligations.
The Department will also continue to implement agreements with non-governmental organizations, which will be aimed at providing families with public legal education and information material and professionals with training to address the needs of Canadians.
Together, these funding programs will support professionals involved in the justice system and provide them with the financial resources they need to administer their projects. By prioritizing the development of public legal education and information material and the provision of professional training, the Department enhances the accessibility and relevance of the family justice system, thereby strengthening its commitment to a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.5: Aboriginal and Northern Justice
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through grant and contribution funding, supports the development and delivery of justice services that are sensitive to and reflective of Aboriginal culture and allows flexible delivery of justice services for persons living in the territories. The Department collaborates with the provinces and territories in developing community capacity to assist Aboriginal people and Northern residents in navigating the mainstream justice system, and in providing culturally relevant justice alternatives. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: Aboriginal Justice Strategy, Aboriginal Courtwork Program, and Access to Justice Services in the Territories.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 13,261,654 | 13,261,654 | 13,261,654 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Sub-sub-program Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| A justice system that responds to the needs of Aboriginal people by providing culturally relevant information and services | Percentage of individuals referred to an Aboriginal Justice Strategy program who have completed the program | 90 | March 2017 |
| Percentage of Aboriginal Courtwork Program clients indicating a level of satisfaction of "satisfied" or "very satisfied" with the information provided | 80 | March 2017 | |
| Territorial residents have access to justice services (legal aid, public legal education and information, Aboriginal Courtwork Program) that respond to their needs and circumstances | Number of approved applications for legal aid in the territories | 3,000 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
As Aboriginal justice is a shared responsibility across various levels of government, the Department will reiterate its commitment to a Canadian justice system that is sensitive to and reflective of Aboriginal culture. In parallel, through comprehensive funding, it will support programs that allow for the flexible delivery of justice services to residents of the territories.
To refine the Canadian justice system and ensure that it is sensitive to and reflective of Aboriginal culture, subject to the program's renewal, the Department will continue the implementation and ongoing management of the Aboriginal Justice Strategy in collaboration with the provinces and territories and Aboriginal communities. Additionally, the Department will work with its justice partners to implement Aboriginal Courtwork Program funding agreements with the provinces. Programs funded through the Aboriginal and Northern Justice Sub-sub-program will assist Aboriginal people in assuming greater responsibility for the administration of justice in their communities and provide better and more timely information about community justice programs.
The Department will also work to make the delivery of justice services more flexible to meet the needs of individuals living in the territories. As such, it will implement and manage the Access to Justice Services contribution agreements with the territories. These will consolidate a responsive approach that recognizes the unique contexts, circumstances, and distinct service-delivery challenges that exist in Canada's northern and remote regions.
Together, these funding programs will support the departmental priority "To ensure that the justice system continues to enhance the personal safety and security of citizens" and make for a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.6: Justice in Official Languages
2014-15 PAA Sub-sub-program Description
The Department, through grant and contribution funding, provides support to improve access to justice in both official languages to persons navigating the justice system. The Department manages the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund and implements the Department's duty to take positive measures to fulfil the federal government's commitment contained in section 41 of the Official Languages Act towards the development of official language minority communities and the promotion of English and French. The Department also manages the Contraventions Act Fund to enable the provinces and municipalities to implement the Contraventions Act on behalf of the federal government in a manner consistent with the applicable constitutional and legislative language rights involving compliance with judicial services as set out in sections 530 and 530.1 of the Criminal Code and extra-judicial services as set out in Part IV of the Official Languages Act. This program uses funding from the following transfer payments: Access to Justice in Both Officials Languages Support Fund and Contraventions Act Fund.
| 2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 15,858,935 | 15,858,935 | 15,858,935 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Sub-sub-program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadians have access to a criminal justice system that responds to their needs in the official language of their choice | Percentage of provinces and territories where justice system stakeholders (prosecutors, court clerks, judges, etc.) have access to specialized language training to facilitate access to justice in the official language of choice | 100 | March 2015 |
| Canadians have access to legal information regarding their rights and responsibilities in the official language of their choice | Percentage of provinces and territories for which official language minority communities have access to legal information through an information hub that provides Canadians with legal information through a telephone helpline, online, or in person | 100 | March 2015 |
| Canadians in designated areas who have received a federal contravention have access to the justice system using the official language of their choice | Number of complaints with respect to judicial and extra-judicial services in the official language of choice | 0 | March 2015 |
Planning Highlights
With the goal of enhancing the accessibility of the Canadian justice system and respecting its commitments to encourage the participation of all Canadians in linguistic duality and to support official language minority communities, the Department will provide financial support to initiatives that improve access to justice in the official language of choice.
The Department will work towards the implementation of a renewed Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund. This fund is designed to provide resources to facilitate access to justice in both official languages through various means, such as the creation of legal and linguistic tools, workshops, and training for bilingual lawyers and stakeholders of the justice system, the development of related training material, and the provision of public legal education and information material. Initiatives receiving financial support through this fund will allow the Department to facilitate access to justice in both official languages through, among other things, specialized language training and legal information hubs.
To ensure the full implementation of the contraventions regime across Canada, the Department will continue to work and negotiate with the provinces and territories with a view to securing agreements. This will consolidate access to the justice system in the official language of choice for Canadians in designated areas who have received a federal contravention ticket.
These activities will support the Department's commitment to a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system by enhancing accessibility and flexibility.
Program 1.2: Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime
2014-15 PAA Program Description
The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) was created to provide a voice for victims of crime at the federal level and to ensure that the federal government meets its commitments to victims. The Office provides direct information, referral, and complaint review services to its primary clients – victims, victims' family members or representatives, victim serving agencies, and other related stakeholders. The Office also helps raise awareness of systemic issues amongst all criminal justice and victim serving personnel and provides related recommendations and advice to the Government of Canada through the Minister of Justice. In order to fulfill its mandate, the Office promotes access by victims to existing federal programs and services for victims; addresses complaints of victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act; promotes 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; identifies and reviews emerging and systemic issues that negatively impact victims of crime; and facilitates access by victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals. The Ombudsman reports directly to the Minister of Justice and, as such, the Office falls outside the Department's governance framework.
| 2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,318,570 | 1,318,570 | 1,318,570 | 1,318,570 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | 9 | 9 |
| Program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Victims of crime access information on their rights and the federal programs and services that are available to them and/or access a complaint review process to address complaints about federal programs, services, laws or policies regarding victims of crime | Year-over-year percentage increase of client contacts with OFOVC | 2 | March 2015 |
| Federal departments, agencies and other stakeholders are provided with OFOVC recommendations on how to effect change for victims of crime | Percentage of OFOVC recommendations submitted and acknowledged and/or acted upon | 100 | March 2015 |
| Stakeholders have access to timely and relevant information about the Office and its activities | Percentage of all pre-identified key stakeholders contacted annually | 100 | March 2015 |
| Year-over-year percentage increase of visits to the OFOVC website | 5 | March 2015 |
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 that is 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 of the Act, the Minister is responsible for drafting and reviewing all government regulations prior to registration to ensure conformity 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.
Program 2.1: Legal Services to Government Program
2014-15 PAA 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.
| 2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 194,550,000 | 201,897,664 | 194,870,865 | 192,757,126 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 3,177 | 3,177 | 3,177 |
| Program Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets | Fiscal Year Achieved |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 on a 10-point scale | 8 | November 2016 |
| Client satisfaction mean rating on the Department of Justice Canada performance against service standards for the delivery of legal services on a 10-point scale | 8 | November 2016 | |
| The Crown's interest is represented before courts and tribunals | Percentage of litigation files that have a successful outcome (settled and adjudicated) | 70 | April 2015 |
Planning Highlights
In line with its mandate and the priority "To support the Government of Canada's priorities through the delivery of high-quality legal services," the Department will continue to support federal departments and agencies in the delivery of their legislative agenda in the areas of Economic Affairs, Social Affairs, International Affairs, and Government Affairs.
In support of Economic Affairs, the Department will provide high-quality legal services to help implement initiatives that support a strong and stable Canadian economy, such as helping to make Canada's critical trade infrastructure safer and more efficient through the construction of a new Windsor-Detroit crossing and refining and strengthening safety and security oversight for the Transportation of Dangerous Goods by Rail. In addition, the Department will provide legal services to hep implement the Northern Strategy, the Federal Framework on Aboriginal Economic Development, the Specific Claims Action Plan: Justice at Last Initiative, the review of the Government Employees Compensation Act, the development of regulations under the Canada Labour Code, the Beyond the Border Action Plan, the Telecommunications Spectrum Auction process, the creation of capital markets regulatory authority with the participation of willing provinces, and resource development projects involving multiple departments, including major oil sands and gas pipeline projects. In support of Social Affairs, the Department will work to restore victims to their rightful place at the heart of our justice system.
Initiatives supported by the Department in the area of International Affairs include the implementation of a comprehensive law-and-order agenda to combat crime, terrorism, and tax evasion and avoidance, as well as the provision of legal services for programs to ensure the safety of citizens and defend our sovereignty. In addition, support will be provided to initiatives in the area of Government Affairs, such as the implementation of new tax measures, the introduction of amendments to private and public pension legislation and regulation.
Moreover, the Department will conduct, monitor, contribute to, and support major litigation, such as Charter challenges to the Expenditure Restraint Act, the Public Sector Equitable Compensation Act, the Public Service Labour Relations Act, and the Ending the Long Gun Registry Act. Legal services will also be provided to defend the constitutionality of legislation aimed at ensuring the safety of Canadian communities.
The Department will undertake activities not only to support its priority on the provision of legal services, including meeting evolving demands for legal services, but also to support the priority "To continue to manage organizational transformation in the context of cost containment." To do so, the Department will, among other things, increase the use of paralegal staff; promote effective legal risk management; manage information as an integrated and shareable business asset with appropriate oversight, accountability, and due diligence; encourage the use of best practices; ensure that efficient project management tools are implemented; and align human resources with priorities. The Department will also support the creation of Centres of Expertise on Information and Privacy Law and Labour and Employment Law with the view of providing excellent and efficient legal services.
Program 3.1: Internal Services
2014-15 PAA Internal Services Description
Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not those provided specifically to a program.
| 2014-15 Main Estimates |
2014-15 Planned Spending |
2015-16 Planned Spending |
2016-17 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|---|
| 86,402,269 | 110,509,540 | 99,608,657 | 98,488,718 |
| 2014-15 | 2015-16 | 2016-17 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,126 | 1,126 | 1,126 |
Planning Highlights
The Internal Services Program supports the achievement of the Department's two strategic outcomes: a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system and a federal government that is supported by high-quality legal services. Over the coming fiscal year, the Department will continue to restructure its activities in response to the Government's expenditure-management efforts. Initiatives implemented under this Program will contribute directly to the departmental priority "To manage organizational transformation in the context of cost containment."
With a focus on expenditure management, the Department will implement new initiatives that complement the soon-to-be-completed Modernization Strategy. It will fulfil its commitment to implement the Internal Services Consolidation Initiative, which will incorporate significant process re-engineering, the development of performance-measurement tools, service-level agreements, and service standards with a view to enhance the overall efficiency of internal service delivery. Moreover, the Department will continue to implement its National Accommodations Plan.
In close cooperation with clients and with an added emphasis on expenditure management, the Department has launched a review of the Legal Services to Government Program. The conclusions of the review will inform future strategies focused on the efficient delivery of legal services. In addition, the Department will continue to implement the Legal Risk Management Framework adapted to the specific needs of advisory services.
In support of government-wide initiatives, the Department will continue to contribute to Blueprint 2020 and will implement the new Performance Management Directive. The Department will continue implementing the Common Human Resources Business Process with the goal of streamlining human resources processes and will also actively support the launch of the 2014 Public Service Employee Survey. The Department will contribute to and align with the Government's Web Renewal efforts and will work closely with Shared Services Canada (SSC) in responding to initiatives aimed at greater efficiency, such as the E-mail Transformation Initiative, telecommunications transformation, and the migration of responsibilities to SSC for the provision of end-user software and hardware (workplace technology devices).
To modernize the Department and its information practices, Justice will continue to implement its multi-year Information@Justice Vision aimed at a departmental transformation through new ways of working, focus on digital information and business processes, and facilitate and promote greater use of digital legal tools such as Justipedia, the national legal knowledge management portal.
Finally, in support of the 2013-16 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, the Department will begin implementation of its new three-year Sustainable Development Strategy, beginning in 2014-15. The Department contributes to the Theme IV (Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government) targets through the Internal Services Program and plans to:
- take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement; and
- develop an approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.
Additional details on Justice’s activities can be found in the Greening Government Operations Supplementary Information Table.
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