2017-18 Departmental Plan - Supplementary Information Tables
Supporting Information on Lower-Level Programs
Sub-program 1.1.1: Legal Policies and Laws
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 judicial affairs, criminal justice, victims of crime, youth justice, family justice, official languages, contraventions, illicit drugs (via the National Anti-Drug Strategy), bijuralism, Aboriginal justice, human rights, privacy, access to information, security, and terrorism. The Department monitors developments in law, policy and procedure; develops and implements options for law, enforcement and policy reforms through legislation; develops and provides information and services to implement new and existing policies and laws; and provides advice to other federal departments in matters associated 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 supports the Minister of Justice throughout the Cabinet and parliamentary processes with respect to both justice reforms and parliamentary business involving justice matters, such as 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 within 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 system.
Planning Highlights
In support of the Government of Canada’s priorities, the Department of Justice will provide legal and policy advice; support the progress and passage of key legislative initiatives that meet the highest standards of equity, fairness and respect for the rule of law, notably in furthering the review of the criminal justice system (including sentencing and criminal procedure); respond to new technology; support victims of crime; and promote the Government’s security and anti-terrorism initiatives. The Department remains committed to engaging with provincial, territorial and international governments, as well as increasingly diverse stakeholders on the identification of emerging issues, development of policy and legislative options, and implementation of reforms to improve the criminal and family justice system and promote public confidence.
The Department will also advance work in various priority areas – including violence against Indigenous women and girls, medical assistance in dying, legalization and regulation of cannabis, and mental health and cognitive impairment issues – through the provision of legal services, policy initiatives and program funding.
The Department will lead the Federal Victims Strategy in support of victims and survivors of crime, including families of murdered and missing Indigenous women and girls, and will work in close collaboration with other federal institutions, as well as victims, victim advocates, provincial and territorial governments, service providers, and others involved in the criminal justice system.
The Department will provide legal policy advice to the Government of Canada in the area of family justice. Justice will also work closely with provinces and territories to improve family justice services, including, where required, negotiating or reviewing agreements for the establishment of provincial child support services (to recalculate child support under section 25.1 of the Divorce Act).
The Department will also provide legal policy advice to the Government of Canada in the area of family violence and children’s law. To address family violence, the Department will collaborate with partners in policing, prosecutions, child protection, victim services, and the voluntary sector to improve the justice system response to family violence and intimate partner violence. The Department will continue the piloting of the Indigenous Policy and Program Innovation Hub, which will explore how new policy and program development approaches can be used to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system.
The Department will develop youth justice law and policy, respond to emerging youth justice issues, and provide legal and policy advice in relation to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. Additionally, the Department will continue to lead the National Anti-Drug Strategy, which includes prevention, treatment and enforcement efforts.
At the international level, the Department will work with global partners to ensure that domestic legal frameworks and international instruments adequately support international efforts to combat crime, including organized crime, illicit drugs, cybercrime, corruption and terrorism. It will support the Government of Canada in the elaboration and implementation of foreign policy, bearing in mind Canadian criminal law and policy and the need to advance and protect Canadian interests and values in the development of international anti-crime and terrorism measures. This will involve the provision of strategic advice and the implementation of legal technical assistance projects that promote foundational Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.
By attending to these issues, as well as advancing other program initiatives, the Department will demonstrate its role as steward of the Canadian Legal Framework and uphold public confidence in the justice system.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2018 | 60 | 50.5 | 50.5 |
| 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 2018 | 44 | 39.7 | 39.7 | |
| Total amount of federal monies garnisheed to help satisfy family support orders or agreements | $165 million | March 2018 | $188.7 million | $176.8 million | N.A. |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 30,047,989 | 30,015,606 | 29,907,116 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 210 | 210 | 210 |
Sub-program 1.1.2: Justice System Support
Description
The Department, through grants and contributions 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 Indigenous groups and communities. The Justice System Support Program supports the advancement of 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 Indigenous justice.
Planning Highlights
As part of developing a centre of expertise in grants and contributions programs, the Department will continue implementing and championing reforms in its delivery of such programs. Reforms will include the ongoing development, use and monitoring of service standards; updates to program and project risk tools; stakeholder engagement; and implementation of common templates and tools. In addition, the Department will continue to work with other federal departments to develop and implement a new government-wide grants and contributions management system.
The Department will also advance public legal education and information by producing and maintaining such materials in support of justice priorities and by funding designated public legal education and information organizations.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A justice system that is accessible to Canadians | Percentage of federal justice system support funding provided to provinces and territories, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous groups and communities to inform and assist Canadians with their legal matters | 100 | March 2018 | 98 | 98 | N.A. |
| Percentage of provinces with designated public legal education and information organizations supported by the Department that provide legal information | 100 | March 2018 | 100 | 100 | N.A. |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 355,070,152 | 356,161,033 | 354,571,033 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 44 | 44 | 44 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.1: Criminal Justice and Legal Representation
Description
The Department supports access to justice and the efficient functioning of the Canadian justice system. The Department provides contribution funding to Provinces to help ensure that economically disadvantaged individuals have access to legal advice, representation and information for criminal law, youth criminal justice and immigration and refugee matters. Provinces, territories, or their legal aid service delivery entities also receive funding for the management and delivery of court-ordered counsel in federal prosecutions, and for legal assistance in national security matters. In addition, grants and contributions funding is also made available to a wide range of other recipients to support: (1) alternatives to incarceration for non‑violent drug addicted offenders; (2) Special Advocates in Division 9 proceedings under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; (3) the prosecution of capital market fraud cases; (4) the development of public legal education resources; and (5) projects that assist in developing effective responses to trends and issues effecting Canadian justice policy. This sub-sub-program uses funding from the following grants and contributions programs: Legal Aid Program (includes Criminal Legal Aid, Public Security and Anti-terrorism Legal Aid, Immigration and Refugee Legal Aid and Court-Ordered Counsel in Federal Prosecutions), Drug Treatment Court Funding Program, Integrated Market Enforcement Teams Reserve Fund, 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.
Planning Highlights
Through the Legal Aid Program, the Department will continue to advance access to justice by working in collaboration with provinces and territories to provide criminal legal aid to adults and youth, immigration and refugee legal aid, and state-funded counsel in federal cases. Justice will manage the five-year (fiscal years 2012-17) contribution agreements with the provinces respecting adult and youth criminal legal aid and immigration and refugee legal aid, and will work to secure five-year contribution agreements effective in fiscal year 2017-18 to maximize the federal investment in legal aid by continuing to support innovative services that address the needs of vulnerable populations, including Indigenous persons and those suffering from mental health issues.
Through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program, the Department will work with key stakeholders to improve access to justice, including a focus on Indigenous women in support of the Action Plan to Address Family Violence and Violent Crimes Against Aboriginal Women and Girls, and funding to enhance the justice system’s response to family violence through the Family Violence Initiative. Activities include the provision of funding support to public legal education and information organizations that develop material to respond to the legal needs of Canadians.
In addition, the Department will implement its components of the National Anti-Drug Strategy to further help prevent illicit drug use and to provide access to treatment for those with substance abuse issues. The Department will continue funding the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program through contribution agreements with participating provinces and territories.
The Department will also administer the Integrated Market Enforcement Team Reserve Fund, which supports the prosecution of cases regarding serious criminal capital market fraud offences in Canada.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 the provinces | 270,000 | March 2018 | 261,207 | 267,763 | 274,287 |
| 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 2018 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 134,596,351 | 135,489,438 | 140,239,438 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | 12 | 12 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.2: Victims of Crime
Description
The Department, through grants and contributions funding, aims to give victims of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. As part of the Federal Victims Strategy, 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 sub-sub-program uses funding from the following grants and contributions program: the Victims Fund.
Planning Highlights
The Department of Justice will support the implementation of the Victims Bill of Rights Act (VBR). The VBR created a stand-alone act, the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights (CVBR), to enshrine rights for victims of crime in four areas at the federal level: information, participation, protection, and restitution. The VBR also included amendments to federal legislation such as the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to enhance the application of the rights set out in the CVBR. The CVBR and most of the provisions in the VBR came into force on July 23, 2015. Funding to assist the provinces and territories in implementing the Act is provided under the Victims Fund.
As part of the Federal Victims Strategy, the Department will also administer the Victims Fund grants and contributions program, which provides resources to non-governmental organizations, as well as provincial and territorial governments, to deliver programs and services for victims of crime, enabling them to participate in the criminal justice system. Through the Federal Victims Strategy, the Department will advance policies and programs to provide assistance for families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls. Increased assistance will be provided to provinces and territories and for projects that provide direct support to families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls throughout the duration of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Through collaborative efforts with various stakeholders across Canada, the Department will bolster support for victims and survivors of crime.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2018 | 93.1 | 97 | N.A. |
| Percentage of victims surveyed who receive financial assistance who report having a more effective voice in the criminal justice system | 90 | March 2018 | 97 | 97 | 85 |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 28,157,650 | 28,205,443 | 21,615,443 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.3: Youth Justice
Description
The Department promotes the protection of the public by supporting programs and services that are consistent with the objectives of the Youth Criminal Justice Act. The Department provides contribution funding to the provinces and territories for programs and services aimed at youth in conflict with the law, which encourages their accountability, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community; promotes diversion from the formal court process where appropriate; and reserves custody for the most serious offenders. Funding is also provided to the provinces and territories for specialized therapeutic programs and services for youth with mental health needs who are convicted of a serious violent offence. Finally, funding is available to a wide range of recipients for projects that encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system. Such projects include programs specifically aimed at youth in conflict with the law, training for justice professionals and youth service providers and research. Funding is provided through the following grants and contributions programs: Youth Justice Services Funding Program, Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program and the Youth Justice Fund.
Planning Highlights
Through the Youth Justice Fund (YJF), the Department will continue to advance projects that encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues, and allow for greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system. In doing so, it aims to promote knowledge-sharing with partners in federal, provincial and territorial governments, non-governmental organizations, and international organizations on matters relating to youth justice.
The YJF delivers funding through three sub-components: the Main Fund; the Drug Treatment component; and the Guns, Gangs and Drugs component. Together, these components offer grants and contributions to support pilot projects that provide programming and services for youth in conflict with the law and for professional development activities, such as training and conferences, for justice professionals and youth service providers. Additionally, it funds research on the youth justice system and related youth justice issues.
The Youth Justice Services Funding Program is a contribution program that is cost-shared with provinces and territories for the delivery of youth justice programs and services. It provides priority funding for areas related to the Youth Criminal Justice Act and aims to protect the public by encouraging accountability, effective rehabilitation and reintegration of young people while reserving the formal court process for the most serious youth offenders.
The Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program funds provinces and territories that provide specialized therapeutic programs and services for youth with mental health needs who have been convicted of serious violent offences.
Negotiations with the provinces and territories will soon be underway to secure new five-year funding agreements for the Youth Justice Services Funding Program and the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program (fiscal years 2018-23).
In working with different levels of government across Canada to administer funding through these major support initiatives, the Department ensures that youth justice priorities are being supported and that a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice systemis being promoted.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A youth justice system that supports federal youth justice priorities | Percentage of youth court cases receiving a non-custodial (community-based) sentence | 85 | March 2018 | Target Date March 2017 | 85 | 85 |
| Percentage of identified, eligible Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision cases receiving specialized treatment | 100 | March 2018 | 100 | 100 | 100 |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 157,967,435 | 157,967,435 | 157,967,435 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | 4 | 4 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.4: Family Justice
Description
The Department, through grants and contributions 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 sub-sub-program uses funding from the following grants and contributions program: the Supporting Families Fund.
Planning Highlights
With the assistance of the Supporting Families Fund (subject to the program’s renewal), provinces and territories as well as non-governmental organizations will provide a range of services, programs and information resources to make it easier for divorcing or separating parents to gain access to the family justice system and to help parents comply with obligations for financial support and custody and access.
In addition, contingent on funding renewal for 2017-18, the Department will continue to implement the family justice services funding agreements with provinces and territories as well as public legal education and information material and professional training project agreements with non-governmental organizations. By prioritizing the development of public legal education and information material and the provision of professional training, the Department will enhance access to family justice information, services and programs for Canadians who are experiencing separation and divorce.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | 100 | March 2018 | 100 | 99 | N.A. |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.5: Aboriginal and Northern Justice
Description
The Department contributes funding to the provinces and territories for programs and services that provide culturally appropriate assistance to Indigenous people navigating the criminal justice system. The Department also provides funding to a range of recipients who deliver programs provide culturally relevant alternatives to the mainstream justice system for Indigenous people. Finally, the Department provides contribution funding to the territories to help ensure that Northern residents have access to legal representation and advice as well as information on the justice system. Funding is provided through the following grants and contributions programs: Indigenous Justice Program (previously the Aboriginal Justice Strategy), Indigenous Courtwork Program (previously the Aboriginal Courtwork Program), and Access to Justice Services Agreements in the territories.
Planning Highlights
As part of the Government’s efforts to ensure that the justice system responds to the needs of Canada’s Indigenous population, the Department will continue to co-chair the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group on Aboriginal Justice. The Department will also continue to administer the Indigenous Justice Program (formerly the Aboriginal Justice Strategy), the Indigenous Courtwork Program (formerly the Aboriginal Courtwork Program) and the Access to Justice Services Agreements.
The Indigenous Justice Program supports Indigenous community-based justice programs that offer alternatives to mainstream justice processes in appropriate circumstances. It supports programs that are community-led and designed to reflect the cultures, values and specific justice needs of the communities in which they are situated. The Indigenous Justice Program is grounded in the principles and processes of restorative justice and Indigenous legal traditions, which focus on repairing harm between those affected by the crime (victims, offenders and communities) while holding those responsible accountable for their actions. With 25 years of success and as the Department’s only community-based justice program, the Indigenous Justice Program can serve as a model for other restorative justice approaches for all Canadians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous.
As a cost-shared program with the provinces and territories, the success of the Indigenous Justice Program depends on its collaboration with various stakeholders across Canada. Stakeholder Engagement Sessions were conducted across the country with Indigenous communities and funding recipients, provincial and territorial partners, and other justice stakeholders. These engagement sessions explored the causes and potential solutions to reducing Indigenous over‑representation in the justice system, and identified gaps in services and emerging justice issues. Following these sessions, a collaborative federal/provincial/territorial process was undertaken to identify priority areas with a focus on providing stability and narrowing gaps in services for Indigenous people. An action plan, informed by input from the engagement sessions, will be developed in collaboration with provincial and territorial co-funders and Indigenous Justice Program recipients to guide program design and delivery. Ongoing stakeholder engagement allows the program to continue to strengthen and build on its relationships and partnerships with justice stakeholders who are foundational to the success of the Indigenous Justice Program.
Through the Indigenous Courtwork Program, the Department shares with provinces the cost of providing Indigenous Courtworkers services to support fair, equitable, and culturally competent treatment for Indigenous people (adult and youth) in contact with the criminal justice system whether as an accused person, victim, witness or family member. The implementation of new federal funding announced in Budget 2016 for the Indigenous Courtwork Program will support program integrity pressures for existing services (particularly in remote areas) and allow Courtworkers to engage on Indigenous justice priorities of the Government of Canada. These include reducing the rate of Indigenous incarceration and addressing gaps in services to Indigenous people and those with mental illness throughout the criminal justice system. Regional workshops with Courtworkers were held to identify the gaps in services for Indigenous people in the criminal justice system and the causes and solutions to over-representation. The Department will continue to work with the Tripartite Working Group to ensure that the program’s design and results meet the needs of Indigenous communities and the criminal justice system.
Finally, through the Access to Justice Services Agreements, the Department supports the delivery of access to justice services in northern communities: legal aid (both criminal and civil), Indigenous courtwork services, and public legal education and information. These Agreements recognize the unique service delivery contexts that exist in Canada’s northern and remote regions, including language barriers, a lack of communications infrastructure, and limited access to private bar lawyers to support provision of legal aid. The Department will work with the territories to ensure access to justice services meet the needs of northern communities.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A justice system that responds to the needs of Indigenous people by providing culturally relevant information and services | Percentage of individuals referred to an Indigenous Justice Program who have completed the programTable note i | 90 | March 2018 | Target Date March 2017 | 89 | N.A. |
| Percentage of Indigenous Courtwork Program clients indicating a level of satisfaction of “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the information providedTable note ii | 80 | March 2018 | Target Date March 2017 | 92 | 92 | |
| Territorial residents have access to justice services (legal aid, public legal education and information, Aboriginal Courtwork Program) that respond to their needs and circumstancesTable note ii | Number of approved applications for legal aid in the territories | 3,000 | March 2018 | 2,874 | 2,916 | 3,110 |
- Table note i
-
The Indigenous Justice Program was formerly the Aboriginal Justice Strategy program.
- Table note ii
-
The Indigenous Courtwork Program was formerly the Aboriginal Courtwork Program.
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 18,491,083 | 18,641,083 | 18,891,083 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | 14 | 14 |
Sub-sub-program 1.1.2.6: Justice in Official Languages
Description
The Department, through grants and contributions 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 takes positive measures to fulfil the federal government’s commitment contained in section 41 of the Official Languages Act toward the development of official language minority communities and the promotion of English and French. The Department also manages the Contraventions Act Fund that provides funding to provinces, territories and municipalities where the Contraventions Act is implemented so that they can provide justice services on behalf of the federal government in a manner consistent with the applicable 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 sub-sub-program uses funding from the following grants and contributions programs: Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund and Contraventions Act Fund.
Planning Highlights
In compliance with Part VII of the Official Languages Act (promotion of official languages, support to the development and vitality of minority communities etc.), the Department is committed to enhancing the vitality of English-speaking and French-speaking minority communities and will take positive measures to support and assist their development. The Department promotes linguistic duality and continues to ensure that Canadians have access to a bilingual criminal justice system and legal information services in their official language of choice.
The Department will continue to support the implementation of the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund by working with the provinces, territories, universities, courts, non-governmental organizations, and others to secure funding agreements. Objectives of the Support Fund include increasing the capacity of justice system stakeholders (judges, prosecutors, clerks, etc.) to offer justice services in both official languages, as well as increasing the availability and provisions of legal information in the minority language to the legal community and official language minority communities. The Department will be supporting projects to develop and disseminate linguistic tools; undertake research for the benefit of official language minority communities; promote training in both official languages for stakeholders of the justice system; and promote and provide legal information to official language minority communities.
Furthermore, the Department will actively work with other federal departments on regulatory amendments to ensure successful implementation of the Contraventions Act. Through the Contraventions Act Fund, the Department will continue to provide provinces, territories and municipalities with funding to undertake measures that ensure language rights are respected in relation to the administration and enforcement of federal contraventions.
Together, these funding programs will support stakeholders by providing them with the financial resources they need to administer their projects, thereby strengthening the Department’s commitment to providing a fair, relevant, and accessible Canadian justice system.
| Expected results | Performance indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | 2015-16 Actual results | 2014-15 Actual results | 2013-14 Actual results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 2018 | 100 | 100 | N.A. |
| 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 2018 | 100 | 100 | N.A. |
| 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 2018 | 0 | 0 | N.A. |
| 2017–18 Planned Spending | 2018–19 Planned Spending | 2019–20 Planned Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 15,857,634 | 15,857,634 | 15,857,634 |
| 2017–18 Planned FTEs | 2018–19 Planned FTEs | 2019–20 Planned FTEs |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 10 | 10 |
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