Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Table of Contents

• TPPs with total actual spending of $5 million or more
  • Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund
  • Access to Justice Services in the Territories (being Legal Aid, Indigenous Courtwork and Public Legal Education and Information Services)
  • Canadian Family Justice Fund (CFJF)
  • Criminal Legal Aid
  • Drug Treatment Court Funding Program
  • Immigration and Refugee Legal Aid
  • Implementation of Official Languages Requirements under the Contraventions Act
  • Indigenous Courtwork Program
  • Indigenous Justice Program
  • Indigenous Partnership Fund
  • Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program
  • Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP)
  • Victims Fund
  • Youth Justice Services Funding Program
• TPPs with total actual spending of less than $5 million
  • European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission)
  • Hague Conference on Private International Law
  • Impact of Race and Culture Assessments
  • Integrated Market Enforcement Teams (IMET) Reserve Fund
  • International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit)
  • Special Advocates Program
  • State-Funded Counsel Program
  • Youth Justice Fund

TPPs with total planned spending of $5 million or more

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/jsp-sjp/ol-lo/index.html

Start date: April 1, 2003

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Justice System Partnerships

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: The long-term goal of the Fund is to support an increasingly relevant, accessible and responsive Canadian justice system that is capable of offering services to Canadians in both official languages.

Objectives:

• To increase the capacity of the justice system and its stakeholders to offer justice services in both official languages
• To increase awareness in the legal community and official language minority communities concerning their rights and issues related to access to justice in both official languages

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Increased stakeholder capacity to offer justice services in both official languages
• Improved bilingual capacity amongst justice professionals
• Increased public legal education information in official language minority communities
• Continued engagement and consultation with stakeholder community

Performance Measures:

• Number and value of funding agreements
• Number of professionals participating in training programs
• Number and type of projects related to increasing awareness or knowledge
• Percentage of stakeholders participating in consultations and meetings

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government
• Academia and public institutions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Department consults regularly with official language minority community stakeholders through Justice Canada’s Official Languages Directorate, the Advisory Committee on Access to Justice in Both Official Languages, as well as with provincial and territorial partners through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) Working Group on Access to Justice in Both Official Languages. Input from these fora help inform policy and program efforts to ensure that the Fund continues to evolve such that it responds to the needs of these communities while balancing government and departmental priorities. In addition to these formal mechanisms, the Department regularly engages with stakeholders, as needed, on an informal basis.

Access to Justice Services in the Territories (being Legal Aid, Indigenous Courtwork and Public Legal Education and Information Services)

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/access.html

Start date: April 1, 1997

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Programs: Legal Representation; Indigenous Justice; and Justice System Partnerships

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To provide consolidated federal government funding support to Canada’s three territories for access to justice services (including criminal and civil legal aid, Indigenous courtwork services, and public legal education and information [PLEI]) through ongoing contribution agreements that allow the territories the flexibility needed to provide these services in a challenging environment (vast distances, harsh climate, cultural/linguistic differences).

Objectives:

• Legal aid services in the territories
  • To enable the territories to provide legal aid services to economically disadvantaged and vulnerable persons involved in serious criminal, youth criminal justice and civil matters
• Indigenous courtwork services
  • To facilitate and enhance access to justice by assisting Indigenous people involved in the criminal justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally sensitive treatment
• PLEI
  • To assist the territories in providing members of the public with the legal information they need to make informed decisions and participate effectively in the justice system

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

Territorial residents have access to justice services (legal aid, Indigenous courtwork, and PLEI) that respond to their needs and circumstances.

Performance Measures:

• Legal Aid component
  • Number of full service approved criminal legal aid applications in the territories
• Indigenous Courtwork component
  • Number of territorial communities with resident Indigenous Courtworkers
  • Number of Gladue reports prepared

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Evaluated through Legal Aid Program (2021–22), Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (2023–24), and Indigenous Courtwork Program (2022–23) evaluations.

Decision following the results of last evaluation:

Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: To be evaluated through Legal Aid Program (2026–27), Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (2028–29) and Indigenous Courtwork Program (2027–28) evaluations respectively.

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing meetings take place with the FPT Permanent Working Group on Legal Aid to discuss matters relating to legal aid such as policy development and funding. Ongoing engagement also occurs through the FPT Working Group and the Tripartite Working Group on the Indigenous Courtwork Program. Consultations also contribute to efforts aimed at improving data collection to better measure and report on results, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus impacts and outcomes.

Canadian Family Justice Fund (CFJF)

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/famil/index.html

Start date: April 1, 2017

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Family Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Facilitate access to the family justice system for families experiencing separation and divorce.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

Improved capacity in the provinces and territories to deliver family justice services.

Performance Measure:

• Percentage of funds dedicated to the provinces and territories that is committed

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

Family Justice Activities:

• Government

Family Justice Projects:

• Government
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• For-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing engagement occurs with provincial and territorial partners through the existing FPT forums under the Coordinating Committee of Senior Officials - Family Justice to discuss issues related to family law policy development, legislation and the Canadian Family Justice Fund. In addition, the Department will continue to share program information with applicants and recipients through the Department of Justice Canada website and other means such as e-mail or telephone contacts. Information gathered from these consultations is used to confirm or recalibrate fund priorities and mechanisms to measure results.

Criminal Legal Aid

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/aid-aide.html

Start date: August 17, 1971

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To promote fair legal proceedings for eligible persons and to promote public confidence in the justice system through federal contribution funding to the provinces.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:  

Increased capacity of provinces, through their legal aid service providers, to provide criminal legal aid services to eligible persons.

Performance Measures:

• Number of approved full service applications for criminal legal aid
• Number of times duty counsel services are provided in criminal matters to individuals requiring assistance

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22 (as part of the Legal Aid Program Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing meetings take place with the FPT Permanent Working Group on Legal Aid to support the FPT Deputy Ministers responsible for Justice and Public Safety on matters relating to legal aid, such as policy development and funding. Ongoing consultations with the Permanent Working Group also contribute to efforts aimed at improving data collection to better measure and report on results, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus impacts and outcomes.

Drug Treatment Court Funding Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/dtc-ttt.html

Start date: April 1, 2004

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (DTCFP)

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To reduce crimes committed as a result of drug dependency through court-monitored treatment and community service support for non-violent offenders with a substance use disorder.

Objectives:

• To promote and strengthen the use of alternatives to incarceration with a particular focus on vulnerable populations
• To support offenders in addressing their cycle of addiction and criminal behavior as a means of reducing criminal recidivism
• To collect information and data on the effectiveness of Drug Treatment Courts (DTCs) in order to promote best practices and the continuing refinement of approaches

Expected results:

The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending for non-violent offenders with problematic substance use.

Performance Measures:

• Number of federally supported DTCs
• New DTC participants per year
• DTC participant retention rate
• DTC graduation/completion rate

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The program consults with recipients through the DTCFP’s FPT Working Group. This Working Group contributes to the design, delivery and evaluation of the DTCFP by identifying emerging issues and solutions for issues affecting DTC effectiveness; and sharing lessons learned and best practices, in order to improve DTCs across Canada.

Immigration and Refugee Legal Aid

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/aid-aide.html

Start date: April 1, 2001

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To promote access to justice for economically disadvantaged immigrants and refugees, and contribute to a fair and efficient asylum system.

Expected results:

Increased capacity of participating provincial legal aid service providers to deliver immigration and refugee legal aid to eligible persons.

Performance Measure:

• Number of recipients delivering immigration and refugee legal aid services

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22 (as part of the Legal Aid Program Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Governments

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing meetings take place with the FPT Permanent Working Group on Legal Aid to support the FPT Deputy Ministers responsible for Justice and Public Safety on matters relating to legal aid such as policy development and funding. Ongoing consultations with the Permanent Working Group also contribute to efforts aimed at improving data collection to better measure and report on results, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus impacts and outcomes.

Implementation of Official Languages Requirements under the Contraventions Act

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/contraventions.html

Start date: April 1, 2002

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2012–13

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Contraventions Regime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To support provincial, territorial and municipal partners in ensuring the provision of judicial and extra-judicial services in both official languages in respect of proceedings instituted under the Contraventions Act.

Expected results:

Canadians who have received a federal contravention have access to information in the official language of their choice in designated areas; as well, should those charged under the Act decide to plead not guilty, they have access to a court hearing in the official language of their choice in any provincial courthouse.

Performance Measures:

• Number of complaints with respect to a lack of judicial and extra-judicial services in the official language of choice
• Number of Contraventions issued
• Percentage of alleged offenders requesting and receiving proceedings in their official language of choice
• Number of provinces that have the capacity to offer services in both official languages
• Number of provinces that have a ticketing scheme compatible with the Federal Court decision
• Number of agreements signed

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:  2020–21

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Fund is directly linked to the implementation of the Contraventions Act across Canada and access to the Fund is limited to other levels of government. The Department deals directly with potential applicants and recipients. Engagement with funding recipients takes place through the FPT Working Group on Access to Justice in Both Official Languages. This venue is used to share information and to receive input on the design and delivery of the Fund.

Indigenous Courtwork Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/acp-apc/index.html

Start date: April 1, 1978

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Indigenous Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To facilitate and enhance access to justice for Indigenous people involved in the criminal justice system (whether as accused persons, victims, witnesses or family members) by obtaining fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment.

Expected results:

• Indigenous persons in contact with the justice system are provided culturally relevant information, services and programming
• Justice system actors are provided information and advice regarding Indigenous persons before the court
• Increased awareness of rights, obligations and resources by Indigenous people in contact with the justice system

Performance Measures:

• Number of clients served by the Indigenous Courtwork Program
• Number of Gladue reports prepared
• Satisfaction of justice system actors with usefulness of information provided
• Percentage of Courtworker clients aware of their rights, obligations and resources
• Percentage of Indigenous Courtwork Program clients indicating they are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the information provided

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2022–23

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups:

Indigenous Courtwork services:

• Government

Projects in support of the Indigenous Courtwork Program:

• Government
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities; and Indigenous recipients

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing engagement occurs through the FPT Working Group and the Tripartite Working Group on the Indigenous Courtwork Program. The collaborative justice working group brings together Indigenous Courtworkers, Indigenous community justice workers and federal, provincial and territorial partners to improve collaboration to better meet the needs of Indigenous clients and communities. The Indigenous Courtwork Program also supports training and engagement sessions to improve and/or enhance services. Indigenous Courtwork directors and front-line workers help to inform policy and program decisions related to the Indigenous Courtwork Program.

Indigenous Justice Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/acf-fca/ajs-sja/index.html

Start date: 1991–92 as the Aboriginal Justice Initiative

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24

Link to departmental result(s): The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Indigenous Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: The Indigenous Justice Program (IJP) supports Indigenous community-based justice programs that offer alternatives to mainstream justice processes in appropriate circumstances.

Objectives:

• To assist Indigenous people in assuming greater responsibility for the administration of justice in their communities
• To reflect and include Indigenous values within the justice system
• To contribute to a decrease in the rate of victimization, crime and incarceration among Indigenous people in communities with community-based justice funded programs

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Indigenous communities deliver local justice programs
• Indigenous persons in contact with the criminal justice system are provided culturally relevant information, services and programming
• IJP community-based programs partner with local criminal justice system actors and other community partners
• Increased capacity to deliver community based justice programs
• Increased capacity of Indigenous community programs and organizations to participate in Indigenous justice related engagement activities

Performance Measures:

• Number of community-based justice programs
• Number of participants accessing community based justice programs (including for Gladue aftercare programs)
• Number of communities served by community-based justice programs
• Number of Indigenous Justice Program programs that received funding for a capacity building project
• Number of Indigenous recipients receiving funding for justice-related engagement activities

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2021–22

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27

General targeted recipient groups:

Community-Based Justice Program Fund:

• Indigenous recipients
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government

Capacity-Building Fund:

• Indigenous recipients
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• For-profit organizations
• Government
• Individual or sole proprietorships
• Academia and public institutions

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Indigenous Justice Program has long-term funding relationships with its Community-Based Fund recipients. The program will continue to regularly engage with recipients through day-to-day operations, including site visits, e-mails, phone calls and various ad-hoc working groups.

The Indigenous Justice Program supports engagement with Indigenous partners and other Government departments through the Indigenous Engagement Fund on the co-development of a comprehensive Indigenous Justice Strategy to address the overrepresentation and systemic discrimination of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian justice system. The Engagement Fund will support Indigenous groups to host internal engagements as well as engage with the Department of Justice on shared Indigenous-specific justice priorities (such as overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, and systemic racism; supporting the self-determination of Indigenous peoples in the administration of justice; and responding to existing and emerging justice system challenges through legislative or policy changes).

The Indigenous Justice Program supports regional gatherings that bring together funded programs and other local justice stakeholders during which Indigenous Justice Program officials engage with recipients on their regional concerns and priorities. This information is used to inform policy development, program delivery, and specific initiatives such as Calls for Proposals.

Indigenous Partnership Fund

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/ipf-fpa/index.html

Start date: April 1, 2023

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s):

Justice Canada laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant legal framework in Canada.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Indigenous Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

To contribute to the Department’s efforts to renew its relationship with Indigenous peoples by enabling greater collaboration with Indigenous governments and organizations on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration Act on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in collaboration with other government departments.

Expected results:

• Increased capacity for Indigenous governments and organizations to contribute to the implementation of the UN Declaration Act and monitoring of its progress
• Indigenous governments and organizations participate in engagement activities to contribute to the implementation the UN Declaration Act and monitoring of its progress

Performance Measures:

• Number and types of Indigenous governments and organizations funded
• Number of funding recipients report increased capacity to engage with the Government of Canada on the UN Declaration Act
• Number and type of engagement activities/projects undertaken by funded organizations
• Number of federally-led engagement activities in which funded organizations meaningfully participated
• Number of funding recipients report that funding has facilitated activities that contribute to the implementation of the UN Declaration Act

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not Applicable

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not Applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2027–28

General targeted recipient groups:

Stream 1:

• Indigenous recipients

Stream 2: Indigenous-led organizations located in Canada, including:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• For-profit organizations
• Government
• Indigenous recipients

The above may include UN Declaration Act section 6 recipients representing individual First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups or organizations; organizations representing Indigenous women, youth, Elders, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons; urban Indigenous organizations and other Indigenous-led sectorial groups.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

In reviewing and selecting funding recipients for contributions under Stream 2, the Department will seek the views of an Action Plan Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives of national Indigenous organizations and other Indigenous organizations as appropriate.

Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/intens.html

Start date: April 1, 2002

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Youth Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To provide federal funding to all provinces and territories to ensure that they have the capacity required to carry out assessments and provide therapeutic programs and services to youth convicted of serious violent offences and who are suffering from mental health issues.

Objectives: To financially assist the provinces and territories in providing the specialized services required for the implementation of the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision (IRCS) sentence, pursuant to paragraph 42(2)(r) and subsection 42(7) of the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and other sentencing options applicable under the Act to serious violent youth offenders with mental health issues.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

Provinces and territories have the financial capacity to implement sentencing options that involve specialized treatment programs to address the mental health issues of serious violent youth offenders. It is expected that these services will reduce the likelihood of further violence in those convicted of the most serious violent offences, thus contributing to a more responsive youth justice system.

Performance Measure:

• Number of youths receiving specialized treatment through the IRCS program

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21 (as part of the Youth Justice Initiative Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26  

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Recipients are engaged through the FPT Working Group on Youth Justice Cost Sharing and Programs, which serves as a forum for ongoing monitoring and discussion of issues concerning youth justice programming. These meetings contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of the IRCS by identifying emerging issues and sharing best practices in order to improve youth justice services across Canada. Additionally, work is underway to assess the feasibility of conducting a recidivism study of the IRCS Program in partnership with Statistics Canada and the participating provinces.

Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP)

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/jsp-sjp/jpip-pjpi.html

Start date: April 1, 1996

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Justice System Partnerships

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: The long-term goal of the JPIP is to contribute to increasing access to the Canadian justice system and strengthening the Canadian legal framework.

Objectives:

• To promote and encourage involvement in the identification of emerging trends, issues and/or gaps and possible responses with respect to the justice system
• To strengthen the justice system’s response to family violence and to promote public awareness of and involvement in the response to family violence
• To build knowledge, awareness and understanding among justice stakeholders and/or the public on justice issues and other emerging justice related issues

Expected results:

• Increased capacity to build knowledge, awareness and understanding of justice issues
• Canadians have an increased awareness and knowledge of the justice system including their rights and obligations
• Increased access to the Canadian justice system
• Strengthened Canadian legal framework

Performance Measures:

• Number, type and nature of activities/projects undertaken by stakeholders to provide legal information
• Number and type of PLEI products developed and distributed
• Number of Métis and Non-Status Indians accepted into pre-law and law programs
• Extent to which Justice has supported key stakeholders

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2023–24

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2028–29

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Indigenous recipients
• For-profit organizations
• Individual or sole proprietorships

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Department holds ongoing engagement activities with funding recipients through day-to-day operations, including virtual meetings, e-mails and phone calls. This ongoing engagement enables the Department to collect information on ways to ensure that Canadians have appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system. It also allows the Department to assess organizations’ capacity to offer access to legal information resources and programs across Canada. Information gathered will be used in the design of calls for proposals and to support the Department’s policy directions to address emerging justice issues. The Department will continue to share program information, including new funding opportunities, with applicants and recipients through the Department of Justice Canada website and other means such as e-mail and telephone.

Victims Fund

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/cj-jp/fund-fond/index.html

Start date: Victims of Crime Initiative (VCI) March 2000, and Federal Victims Strategy (FVS) April 1, 2007

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions:  2023-24 (Contributions) / 2016-17 (Grants)

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Victims of Crime

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: The Victims Fund is a component of the Federal Victims Strategy (FVS), which aims to give victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice and federal corrections systems. The FVS, including the Victims Fund, supports the Department’s mandate to ensure that Canada is a just and law-abiding society with a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.

Objectives:

• To enhance victim assistance programs across Canada
• To promote access to justice and participation in the justice system and the development of laws, policies and programs
• To promote the implementation of principles, guidelines and laws designed to address the needs of victims of crime and articulate their role in the criminal justice system
• To contribute to increased knowledge and awareness of the impact of victimization, the needs of victims of crime, available services, assistance and programs and legislation
• To promote, encourage and/or enhance governmental and non-governmental organizations’ involvement in the identification of victim needs and gaps in services and in the development and delivery of programs, services and assistance to victims, including capacity-building within non-governmental organizations

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Enhanced capacity for the delivery of appropriate and responsive victim services
• Reduced hardship for victims of crime
• Increased awareness and knowledge of victim issues, legislation and services available
• Expanded scope and reach of victim services
• Increased access to services for victims interacting with the criminal justice system

Performance Measures:

• Number and nature of projects/activities with provincial and territorial governments
• Number of Child Advocacy Centres supported
• Number of projects supporting victims and survivors of sexual violence
• Number of projects supporting victims and survivors of human trafficking (Labour and for purposes of sexual exploitation)
• Number of projects/activities that enhance services and supports for families of missing and murdered Indigenous people
• Number of projects/activities that enhance services and supports for Indigenous victims of crime
• Number of registered victims receiving financial assistance to attend Parole Board of Canada hearings
• Number of Canadians victimized abroad receiving financial assistance
• Number and nature of projects/activities that support the purchase of equipment and testimonial aids to assist vulnerable victims/witnesses
• Number of jurisdictions accessing funding for Independent Legal Advice and Representation (ILA/ILR)
• Percentage of planned Victims Fund allocation accessed by provinces, territories, non-governmental organizations and other justice system stakeholders to deliver projects and activities in support of victims and survivors of crime

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

• Academia and public institutions
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• For-profit organizations
• Indigenous recipients
• Individual or sole proprietorships
• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Policy Centre for Victim Issues (PCVI) engages with provincial and territorial partners, as well as non-governmental stakeholders from a variety of fields, on an ongoing basis to discuss issues related to policy development, legislation and the Victims Fund. The Victims Fund engages with applicants and recipients through ongoing open processes and through specific calls for proposals related to a funding opportunity such as those in support of: the annual Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, families of missing and murdered Indigenous people, measures to support victims of sexual offences and human trafficking, and Child Advocacy Centres. Regular outreach and communications activities of the PCVI include such things as: holding regular meetings with governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGO) partners, updating its website, hosting knowledge sharing events such as virtual webinars and symposia, developing PLEI, and continued engagements with stakeholders on ongoing and emerging issues of mutual interest.

Budget 2023 included increased funding for the Community Support and Healing for Families initiative to allow more community organizations to deliver supports and services to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous people, including men and boys. Funding for these activities helps fill gaps where needs are high, building on the work of Indigenous organizations and specialized victim services programs.

A call for proposals to support the CSHF initiative was launched on October 25, 2023. Applicants were supported by an information session on November 3, 2023. Approved projects from this call for proposals will begin implementation after April 1, 2024.

Youth Justice Services Funding Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/yjsfp-pfsjj.html

Start date: April 2, 1984

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): The criminal justice system supports alternative ways of responding to the causes and consequences of offending.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Youth Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To support the policy directions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act by financially assisting the provinces and territories in their provision of a range of youth justice services and programs that are consistent with federal policy objectives.

Objectives:

• To support and promote an appropriate range of programs and services that encourage accountability measures for unlawful behaviour that are proportionate and timely
• To encourage the effective rehabilitation and reintegration of young persons into their communities
• To target the formal court process for the most serious offences
• To target detention and custody for the most serious offences

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Increased capacity of jurisdictions to provide high priority youth justice programs and services that are consistent with the federal policy objectives contained in the Youth Criminal Justice Act and improved responsiveness of the youth justice system to support a fair and accessible youth justice system

Performance Measure:

• Percentage of youth court cases receiving a non-custodial sentence

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21 (as part of the Youth Justice Initiative Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Recipients are engaged through the FPT Working Group on Youth Justice Cost Sharing and Programs, which serves as a forum for ongoing monitoring and discussions of issues concerning youth justice programming. These meetings will contribute to the design, delivery and evaluation of the Youth Justice Services Funding Program by identifying emerging issues and sharing best practices in order to improve youth justice services across Canada.

TPPs with total planned spending of less than $5 million

European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission)

Hyperlink: https://www.venice.coe.int/

Start date: April 1, 2019

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Assessed Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Justice Canada laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant framework in Canada.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Justice System Partnerships

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To enable Canada to meet its financial obligations and fulfil its international policy objectives related to democracy and the rule of law by participating in the work of the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission).

Objective: To support the Venice Commission’s mandate of assisting and advising individual countries in constitutional matters in order to improve the functioning of democratic institutions and the protection of human rights.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Promotion of Canadian legal interests internationally

Performance Measure:

• Extent to which Canada’s role and reputation is maintained internationally

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable (assessed contribution established in 2019‑20)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• International (non-government)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Department of Justice Canada deals directly with the European Commission for Democracy through Law, the intended recipient for this assessed contribution.

Hague Conference on Private International Law

Hyperlink: https://www.hcch.net/

Start date: June 1, 2007

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Assessed Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Justice Canada laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant framework in Canada.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Justice System Partnerships

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To enable Canada to meet its financial obligations and fulfill its international policy objectives related to private law by participating in the work of the Hague Conference on Private International Law.

Objective: To support the work of the Hague Conference on Private International Law in the progressive unification of the rules of private international law, including creating and assisting in the implementation of multilateral conventions that promote the harmonisation of the rules and principles of private international law (or conflict of laws).

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Promotion of Canadian legal interests internationally

Performance Measure:

• Extent to which Canada’s role and reputation is maintained internationally

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2016–17 (as part of the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• International (non-government)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Department of Justice Canada deals directly with the Hague Conference on Private International Law, the intended recipient for this assessed contribution.

Impact of Race and Culture Assessments

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/supporting-soutien.html

Start date: April 1, 2021

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To support the implementation of Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs) in all provinces and territories, to help eliminate systemic barriers in the criminal justice system for Black and other racialized individuals by helping courts consider the impact of race and cultural heritage on a racialized offender’s life trajectory during sentencing in criminal matters.

Objective:To promote fair legal proceedings for eligible persons and to promote public confidence in the justice system through federal contribution funding.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Increased capacity of provinces, through their legal aid service providers to provide criminal legal aid services to eligible persons

Performance Measure:

• Number of jurisdictions where IRCAs are available

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable (established in 2021–22)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27 (as part of the Legal Aid Program Evaluation)

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government
• For-profit organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Ongoing meetings with provincial and territorial governments and legal aid service provider representatives, aimed at expanding the availability of IRCAs across the country. Consultations also focus on data collection to measure and report on results, including Gender-Based Analysis Plus impacts and outcomes.

Integrated Market Enforcement Teams (IMET) Reserve Fund

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/integ.html

Start date: April 1, 2004

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2008–09

Link to departmental result(s): Justice Canada laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant framework in Canada.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory:

Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To effectively enforce the law against serious criminal capital market fraud offences in Canada, and ultimately to contribute to improved Canadian and international investor confidence in the integrity of Canada’s capital markets.

Objective: To assist provincial Attorneys General to carry out capital market crime prosecutions by defraying extraordinary costs arising from IMET investigations.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Effective enforcement of laws against serious criminal capital market fraud offences in Canada

Performance Measure:

• Extent to which information on the IMET Reserve Fund is disseminated to the provinces

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2016–17

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

With the assistance of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, provincial prosecutors are contacted on a regular basis to ensure that they are aware of the availability of the IMET Reserve Fund.

International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit)

Hyperlink: https://www.unidroit.org/

Start date: June 1, 2007

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Assessed Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2021–22

Link to departmental result(s): Justice Canada laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant framework in Canada.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Justice System Partnership

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Purpose: To enable Canada to meet its financial obligations and fulfil its international policy objectives related to private law by participating in the work of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit).

Objective: To support Unidroit’s mandate to study the needs and methods for modernizing, harmonizing and coordinating private, and in particular commercial, law as between States and groups of States and to formulate uniform law instruments, principles and rules to achieve those objectives.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Promotion of Canadian legal interests internationally

Performance Measure:

• Extent to which Canada’s role and reputation is maintained internationally

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2016–17 (as part of the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups:

• International (non-government)

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

The Department of Justice Canada deals directly with the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit), the intended recipient for this assessed contribution.

Special Advocates Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/jsp-sjp/sa-es.html

Start date: February 14, 2008

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2023–24

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program

Purpose: To support the Minister of Justice responsibilities in Division 9 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and to contribute to a fair process through the use of special advocates.

Objective: The use of special advocates is intended to strike a balance between the protection of rights and the need to prevent the disclosure of classified information. Special advocates are top-secret, security-cleared, private lawyers who are independent of government and who protect the interests of a permanent resident or foreign national who is subject to a security certificate or other proceedings under the IRPA.

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• Special advocates receive support and advice as necessary

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21 (as part of the Horizontal Evaluation of the IRPA Division 9, led by Public Safety Canada)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2024–25 (as part of the Horizontal Evaluation of the IRPA Division 9, led by Public Safety Canada)

General targeted recipient groups:

• Other

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Not applicable. Special advocates are appointed from a set list when security certificates are issued.

State-Funded Counsel Program

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/gov-gouv/aid-aide.html

Start date: April 1, 2003

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2016–17

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Legal Representation

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: Provide funding to the provinces and territories, or their legal aid delivery entities, to offer funded counsel for cases concerning national security and federal proceedings involving the Attorney General of Canada

Objectives:

• To ensure that counsel is provided to economically disadvantaged accused/named individuals in proceedings brought by the federal Crown
• To ensure the right to a fair hearing for accused/named individuals in cases involving national security and other federal proceedings
• To ensure that cases are not stayed due to lack of counsel

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:  

• Increased capacity of recipients to provide funded counsel to eligible persons in cases involving national security and in cases involving court orders in federal prosecutions

Performance Measure:

• Number of stays (cases temporarily suspended or stopped altogether) due to the lack of funded counsel

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation:

• 2021–22 (as part of the Legal Aid Program Evaluation)
• 2020–21 (as part of the Horizontal Evaluation of the IRPA Division 9, led by Public Safety Canada)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2026–27 (as part of the Legal Aid Program Evaluation)

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Government

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

There are no initiatives to engage applicants and recipients. Funding is provided in response to court orders, and consultations are case specific and not program wide.

Youth Justice Fund

Hyperlink: https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/fund-fina/f_13.html

Start date: April 1, 1999

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: Voted through Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009–10

Link to departmental result(s): Canadians in contact with the justice system have access to appropriate services enabling a fair, timely and accessible justice system.

Link to the department’s Program Inventory: Core Responsibility: Justice System Support, Program: Youth Justice

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

Purpose: To encourage a fair and more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging issues and enable greater citizen/community participation in the youth justice system.

Objectives:

• Establish special measures for violent offenders
• Improve the system’s ability to rehabilitate and reintegrate young offenders
• Increase the use of measures outside the formal court process, that are often more effective in addressing some types of less serious offending
• Establish a more targeted approach to the use of custody for young people
• Increase the use of community-based sentences for less serious offences

There are no repayable contributions.

Expected results:

• New and/or enhanced diversion, rehabilitative and reintegration programs are available to youth involved in the criminal justice system, thus contributing to a more responsive youth justice system

Performance Measure:

• Number of projects funded in a fiscal year

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2020–21 (as part of the Youth Justice Initiative Evaluation)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of next planned evaluation: 2025–26

General targeted recipient groups:

• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Government
• For-profit organizations
• Indigenous recipients

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

Youth Justice Fund recipients will be engaged on an ongoing basis. When appropriate, Youth Justice Fund projects may inform discussions through the FPT Working Group on Youth Justice Cost Sharing and Programs, which serves as a forum for ongoing monitoring and discussions of issues concerning youth justice programming nationally.