Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table: 2025–26 Departmental Plan

Contents

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus governance and capacity

Governance

The Department of Justice Canada (Justice Canada) supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to applying Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus), ensuring that public policies are informed and developed through an intersectional lens. The systematic integration of intersectional considerations into governance and decision-making processes fosters more responsive and inclusive initiatives that reflect diverse experiences, address barriers, and mitigate negative impacts, advancing fairness, equity, and inclusion. Justice Canada’s approach to applying an intersectional GBA Plus approach is in alignment with the GBA Plus Framework.

In 2025–26, departmental governance committees will remain actively engaged in strategic discussions regarding GBA Plus related priorities. These efforts will be supported by the new Intersectional Equity and Inclusion Guide, designed to facilitate the integration of GBA Plus, as well as equity, diversity, and inclusion considerations, in governance and decision-making.

Furthermore, the Department will continue to adhere to the key principles outlined in its Policy on Gender-Based Analysis Plus: Applying an Intersectional Approach to Foster Inclusion and Address Inequities. The Policy requires that all Justice Canada employees complete GBA Plus training and highlights that Justice officials at all levels are responsible for applying GBA Plus in their work.

The GBA Plus Unit (the Unit), the departmental centre of expertise for GBA Plus, will continue to provide advice and guidance for integrating intersectional GBA Plus considerations into Justice Canada’s initiatives, including Memoranda to Cabinet, Budget Requests, and Treasury Board Submissions, among others. The Unit also supports on an ongoing basis the implementation of GBA Plus considerations in horizontal initiatives, such as Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Additionally, the Unit will continue to work alongside the GBA Plus Champion to encourage employee engagement in capacity-building initiatives and the use of innovative practices strengthening GBA Plus. These efforts are supported by the GBA Plus Action Team, a departmental working-level group that provides advice and guidance on improving and extending the application of GBA Plus.

Finally, the Department will support the advancement of the priorities outlined in the Gender Results Framework (GRF) through initiatives focused on eliminating gender-based violence, promoting access to justice, and achieving other equity-related objectives. Specific examples of how departmental initiatives align with and contribute to GRF priorities are listed in the program reports below.

Capacity

The Unit will continue to strengthen the Department’s GBA Plus capacity by developing new resources and training designed to raise awareness and improve the implementation of GBA Plus across the Department. In addition to updating existing guidelines and tools supporting GBA Plus assessments, the Department will continue its work on creating targeted training for Justice Canada employees, tailored to their specific areas of work.

The first online training module focused on incorporating intersectional GBA Plus considerations into legal services, featuring best practices and case studies, is expected to be released in summer 2025. Two additional modules focused on program and policy areas, will be developed in close collaboration with key stakeholders and subject matter experts. In addition, to complement these online modules, the Unit will collaborate with external experts to develop in-depth case studies tailored to the justice context. These case studies will provide practical insights and solutions that enhance the understanding and application of GBA Plus principles.

Another key priority will be providing information sessions for Justice employees, as well as external organizations applying for or receiving departmental funding, to emphasize the benefits of using intersectional analysis to create more efficient and inclusive programs, services, and other initiatives.

To further strengthen the application of an intersectional GBA Plus approach across the federal government, Justice Canada officials will continue organizing and participating in discussion panels and various training sessions designed to enhance GBA Plus implementation and promote equity and inclusion.

In 2025–26, the Department will continue to promote and support enhanced disaggregated data collection, including through the advancement of the Justice Data Modernization Initiative. The Unit will work on strengthening performance measurement by supporting the development and tracking of meaningful indicators reporting on the gender and diversity impacts of Justice Canada-led initiatives. This includes supporting the review of programs’ Performance Information Profiles, the Departmental Results Framework and the Program Inventory, as well as other corporate reporting mechanisms.

The Department will continue to evaluate internally the quality of GBA Plus assessments through its GBA Plus Impact Assessment project. This initiative measures the integration of intersectional GBA Plus considerations into Justice Canada-led initiatives, using two key indicators that focus on the timely and meaningful integration of GBA Plus. The findings will inform the development of departmental GBA Plus work plans and the establishment of strategic priorities.

Human resources (full-time equivalents) dedicated to GBA Plus

In 2025–26, the Department plans to maintain the Unit (3 full-time equivalents), who will continue to be supported by the departmental GBA Plus Action Team, consisting of approximately 14 members from various departmental portfolios, ensuring a broad range of diverse perspectives to enhance GBA Plus awareness across the Department. The GBA Plus Champion will continue to play a central role in communicating key priorities and commitments related to GBA Plus.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Core Responsibility: Legal Services

Program Name: Advisory Services

Program Goals: To deliver high quality, responsive, timely and useful legal advisory services to federal departments and agencies supporting the advancement of government priorities, including those promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Advisory Services program supports the implementation of GBA Plus across the public service by integrating GBA Plus considerations, as relevant, into legal advice provided to government departments and agencies. Relevant data on the gender and diversity impacts of each initiative is collected by client departments and agencies leading the development and implementation of the initiative.

In 2025–26, the Department will continue to provide legal advice to support the Government of Canada in implementing the Pay Equity Act in the public service. The purpose of the act is to achieve pay equity for employees by addressing gender-based discrimination in the pay practices and systems of employers. The act also defines a process to develop pay equity plans, including taking a closer look at organization’s practices and correcting gender wage gaps within the organizations.

Furthermore, the Department will support the Government of Canada with the modernization of the Employment Equity Act. Initial recommendations resulting from the consultations held include creating two new designated groups, Black people and 2SLGBTQI+ people, in addition to the four designated groups covered by the actFootnote 1. The modernization of the act, which will uphold the principles of EDI for employees in federally regulated workplaces, will shape the path forward for employment equity in Canada.

Through the Legal Services Client Feedback Survey (CFS), Justice Canada measures client satisfaction with the quality of the advisory services received, including the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legal advisory services, as well as their accessibility such as barrier-free communications, accessibility of the physical environment, and respectful interaction.

The GBA Plus and EDI indicator was initially introduced in 2023 and the first full set of results will be available in March 2025. This new data will be used by the Department to assess client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legal advisory services, to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Program Name: Legislative Services

Program Goals: To deliver high quality, responsive, useful and timely legislative services to federal departments and agencies supporting the advancement of government priorities, including those promoting EDI.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Legislative Services program supports the implementation of GBA Plus across the public service by integrating GBA Plus considerations, as relevant, into legislative and regulatory drafting services provided to Government of Canada departments and agencies.

In 2025–26, legal professionals will continue to deliver high-quality bilingual and bijural legislative services to the government, incorporating intersectional considerations where relevant in accordance with the GBA Plus Guide for Canada’s Legal Team. Services provided include drafting government bills, preparing motions to amend bills before Parliament, and developing proposed regulations and other statutory instruments. Additionally, ongoing accessible legal education opportunities will be provided to legal professionals, ensuring they remain well-versed in the latest developments, changes, and emerging trends within their specialized legal fields.

Through the CFS, Justice Canada measures client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legislative services, as well as their accessibility such as barrier-free communications, accessibility of the physical environment, and respectful interaction.

The GBA Plus and EDI indicator was initially introduced in 2023 and the first full set of results will be available in March 2025. This new data will be used by the Department to assess client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legislative and regulatory drafting services, to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Program Name: Litigation Services

Program Goals: To provide high quality bilingual and bijural litigation services to federal departments and agencies. Legal professionals work with their colleagues across Justice Canada to ensure the coherence and coordination of litigation, advisory, legislative, and policy services in specific legal areas.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Litigation Services program supports GBA Plus across the public service by integrating GBA Plus considerations, as relevant, into litigation services provided to federal departments and agencies. As a legal service provider instructing clients, advice is concentrated on legal risks (i.e., likelihood of adverse outcome) while other impacts on a litigation file, including GBA Plus assessments and data collection related to this, fall under the responsibility of client departments. The program will continue to promote awareness of GBA Plus, develop best practices for applying GBA Plus in the conduct of legal work to support the implementation of the GBA Plus Guide for Canada’s Legal Team, and integrate intersectional considerations in decision-making processes as applicable.

Through the CFS, Justice Canada measures client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into litigation services, as well as their accessibility such as barrier-free communications, accessibility of the physical environment, and respectful interaction, among other service standards.

The GBA Plus and EDI indicator was initially introduced in 2023 and the first full set of results will be available in March 2025. This new data will be used by the Department to assess client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into litigation services, to identify strengths and potential areas for improvement.

Core Responsibility: Justice System Support

Program Name: Contraventions Regime

Program Goals: The Contraventions Act Fund ensures that the Contraventions Act enforcement regime is implemented complying with language rights and obligations. The Fund sustains access to justice in both official languages for all alleged offenders by allowing provinces and territories to deliver judicial activities and extra-judicial services in both official languages.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2025–26, the Fund will continue to collect data and report annually on the total number of contraventions tickets issued, including the number of trials requested in each official language. In addition, data will be collected on the number of trials held in the second official language of the jurisdiction and the number of trials requested in the second official language which were scheduled but not held, providing details on the underlying reasons for this. Lastly, the impact of the program will be monitored through the number of complaints, if any, concerning non-compliance with federal obligations under the Official Languages Act and the Criminal Code.

The data collected will be used to monitor and assess program impacts on official language minority groups, including access to justice in the official language of their choice. The program will continue to work in close collaboration with funding partners to identify possible barriers to accessing services in the official language of the offender’s choice and introduce mitigation measures, as needed.

Program Name: Drug Treatment Court Funding Program

Program Goals: The Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (DTCFP) aims to reduce criminal recidivism related to substance use disorder through court-monitored treatment and community service support for eligible adult offenders. The DTCFP helps participants to lead healthier lives by breaking the cycle of substance use and criminal recidivism, while promoting the use of alternatives to incarceration.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2025–26, the DTCFP will continue to contribute to the advancement of the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy. The Strategy is a federal collaborative initiative led by Health Canada, with the goal to minimize substance-related harms for individuals, families, and communities.

The program will also continue to include GBA Plus priorities in its meetings with provinces and territories, such as discussions on the importance of offering services based on the specific needs of participants and the removal of barriers to access by broadening program eligibility criteria. It will also continue to share resources promoting best practices in service delivery tailored to the needs of specific groups.

To enable the assessment of the program’s outreach efforts and gender and diversity impacts, the DTCFP will work on improving its data collection plan through the continued implementation of a new database, which includes standard demographic fields related to gender, Indigenous identity, race and ethnicity s. The new database is expected to be fully implemented by the end of March 2025. It will enhance the availability of disaggregated data and support intersectional analysis to inform evidence-based decisions.

Program Name: Family Justice

Program Goals: This program includes the Canadian Family Justice Fund (CFJF), whose overall purpose and objective is to facilitate access to the family justice system for families experiencing separation and divorce and ensure that the justice system is responsive to the needs of families, children and youth, and operates with fairness and efficiency.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2025–26, the Department, through the CFJF, will continue to support provincial and territorial efforts to expand the availability of government-funded supervision services to allow the exercise of parenting time in cases of separation and divorce. Funded activities aim to enhance the ability of provinces and territories to provide supervision services for the exercise of parenting time, particularly in cases where there is concern about the safety of a child or another family member due to family violence.

The implementation of a new reporting template for projects, together with the Family Mediation Service and the Parenting Education Program surveys, both with added focus on GBA Plus related questions, will enable an intersectional analysis of the program’s outcomes, including gender and diversity impacts. The annual feedback received through the new reporting templates will improve the consistency and completeness of data reported by provinces and territories, as well as non-governmental organizations. The updated reporting templates will be launched by the end of June 2025.

Program Name: Indigenous Justice

Program Goals: The three grant and contribution programs under Indigenous Justice (the Indigenous Justice Program [IJP], the Indigenous Courtwork Program [ICW] and the Indigenous Partnership Fund [IPF]) operate recognizing the long and complex history of colonialism, displacement, and residential schools, which continue to negatively impact Indigenous peoples and has led to higher levels of incarceration and victimization. The IJP supports Indigenous community-based justice programs that offer alternatives to mainstream justice processes in appropriate circumstances. Programming reflects the justice values, traditions and culture of their community and contributes to addressing the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, as victims, accused and offenders. The objective of the ICW is to provide assistance to Indigenous people involved in the criminal and family justice system to obtain, fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment, including access to Gladue reports. The IPF supports ongoing consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) and measures included in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan. The IPF provides funding to support Indigenous peoples’ continued participation in the various implementation, monitoring and oversight processes described in the Action Plan.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan
Indigenous Justice Program

The Department will continue exploring opportunities to promote restorative justice and traditional Indigenous justice processes in the criminal justice system. More specifically, through the IJP, the Department will continue to deliver financial support to Indigenous community-based justice programs that address root causes of offending and provide programming that reflects their community’s justice values, traditions and culture.

The IJP will also continue to work with provincial and territorial partners to support the implementation of Gladue Principles in the justice system, particularly post-sentence Gladue aftercare community programming. As part of the reporting process, funding recipients are asked to identify how they have integrated intersectional GBA Plus considerations into their project and the differential impacts they have observed on beneficiaries. Final project reports will be submitted in 2025–26 and will be used to identify the program’s strengths, as well as any barriers to accessing services in order to inform the development of appropriate measures as needed, to address identified gaps.

Indigenous Courtwork Program

In 2025–26, the ICW will continue to provide funding for Indigenous courtwork services and Gladue reports to support Indigenous people in contact with the justice system and ensure they obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment. The ICW will also continue to work with Indigenous, provincial and territorial partners to implement the ongoing Family Courtwork funding announced in Budget 2024 to support the delivery of Family Courtwork services.

The ICW will continue to improve the information gathered through ICW agreements, including the collection of data related to recent funding for Family Courtwork services. ICW staff will work in collaboration with internal and external justice partners to improve data collection and reporting accuracy, including the expansion of intersectional GBA Plus considerations. For example, the ICW will continue to work with provincial and territorial partners to obtain client and participant information that is disaggregated by different factors, such as Indigenous identity, age (adult/youth) and gender.

Indigenous Partnership Fund

The Department will continue to support Indigenous peoples’ participation in the various implementation, monitoring and oversight processes related to the UN Declaration, the UN Declaration Act and measures included in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan. Data will be collected and disaggregated by types of Indigenous governments and organizations funded (e.g. distinctions-based; regional; representing diverse interest-based communities).

The IPF will work on improving data collection plans by collaborating with applicants and encouraging them to identify the specific groups they will be serving, including First Nations, Métis and Inuit groups or organizations; organizations representing Indigenous women, youth, Elders, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons; urban Indigenous organizations; and, other Indigenous-led organizations.

Program Name: Justice System Partnerships

Program Goals: Under Justice System Partnerships, there are two grant and contribution programs: the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP) and the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund (Support Fund). The overall objectives of the programs are to increase the capacity of the justice system and its stakeholders to offer justice related services, including services in both official languages; and to increase awareness and knowledge among justice stakeholders and Canadians of their rights and responsibilities, including justice issues related to language minorities, family violence, access to justice and other emerging trends.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan
Justice Partnership and Innovation Program

Through the JPIP program, the Department will continue supporting activities that improve access to justice such as Community Justice Centre pilot projects that integrate justice services with social and health services to address the root causes of crime collectively. The JPIP will also support projects that increase access to culturally appropriate and accessible legal information and advice services for racialized and Indigenous communities.

In support of the National Action Plan to End Gender-Based Violence, the JPIP will continue supporting projects that provide access to legal advice and representation for victims of intimate partner violence and improve access for victims of intimate partner violence to the family justice system. The JPIP will also support increased access to justice for tenants through legal resources, advice and information. These resources will further reduce barriers to justice and will support tenants in navigating and overcoming tenant legal matters. Finally, public legal education and information projects addressing workplace sexual harassment in Canada will support those most vulnerable and help employers to implement programs and policies to support their employees.

Applicants for funding under the JPIP are required to demonstrate the integration of an intersectional GBA Plus approach into the design, development and implementation of their project to ensure the delivery of accessible and inclusive services. Additionally, recipients report annually on GBA Plus indicators and outcomes, which are tracked through disaggregated quantitative and qualitative data, used to assess the impact of the program on diverse groups.

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

As part of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection-Promotion-Collaboration, the Support Fund will continue to assist and fund projects and activities that foster the recognition and use of both English and French in the Canadian justice system and that enhance the vitality of official language minority communities. In 2025–26, this will include funding for a wide variety of activities based on two axes of intervention, including support to the justice system and support to official languages minority communities. These activities will include, for example, providing legal information to the public, specialized training for legal professionals and operational/core funding to non-governmental organizations. The Support Fund’s activities under the new Action Plan for Official Languages will also include funding for new priorities, including socio-legal support, with a focus on EDI, and will consider research findings and evidence-based data.

The Support Fund will continue to work with recipients to improve the collection of disaggregated data related to EDI. This work will entail consultations to develop a shared approach to gather data for GBA Plus assessments. Recipients will be expected to provide their first installments of GBA empirical data by the end of 2024–25, contributing to enhanced analysis and evidence-based decisions. To facilitate their work, the Support Fund offers guidance on surveying and has informed recipients about the availability of funds to cover any associated costs.

Program Name: Legal Policies, Laws and Governance

Program Goals: The Legal Policies, Laws and Governance program develops and coordinates justice-related federal legislative reforms, policy options and initiatives, and provides policy advice on these matters. This program also supports the Cabinet/Parliamentary processes and engagement, and collaborates with stakeholders, including federal, provincial and territorial officials, national and international stakeholders and non-governmental organizations. The goal of this program is to ensure that laws and policies abide by the rule of law and promote respect for rights and a fair, accessible and relevant legal framework in Canada.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan
UN Declaration Act

In 2025–26, Justice Canada, along with lead federal organizations, will continue working with Indigenous partners to prioritize and sequence the implementation of the 181 measures in the UN Declaration Act Action Plan. Justice Canada will support the implementation of the UN Declaration by providing legal guidance to ensure policies and laws are consistent with the UN Declaration’s principles. In addition to coordinating a whole-of-government approach to implementation, Justice Canada will also support a new Action Plan Advisory Committee, made up of Indigenous experts nominated by Indigenous partners, that is expected to start work at the beginning of 2025 and take on a greater role advising and providing guidance on the implementation of measures in the Shared Priorities chapter of the Action Plan. Supporting Shared Priority measures 14 and 18, Justice Canada will provide organizations both in and outside the federal government with training and information resources on the UN Declaration and the human rights of Indigenous peoples. Work done to advance all elements of UN Declaration Act implementation will continue to include the perspectives of diverse groups of Indigenous partners including those of Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people and persons with disabilities. To ensure that intersectional perspectives are well integrated throughout the implementation of the UN Declaration Act, information related to GBA Plus will be collected from lead departments and the perspectives of Indigenous diversity groups will be sought to inform annual progress reports.

Indigenous Justice Strategy

To address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system, Justice Canada will work to advance the implementation of a federal Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS), in partnership with Indigenous peoples and provinces and territories. Implementation of the IJS will take on a regional-based approach and will include consultations and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis on the advancement of data sovereignty through distinctions-based data collection, disaggregation, and disclosure of data related to justice services and programs. The IJS data collection plan will seek to address existing data gaps concerning Indigenous people in the criminal justice system, including those related to the experiences of Indigenous 2SLGBTQI+ persons. The plan will also seek to capture geographic considerations.

Reconciliation

Justice Canada will continue to contribute to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples, including through ongoing collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial government partners, National Indigenous Organizations (NIOs) and other Indigenous partners, to accelerate the implementation of the justice-related Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. An intersectional GBA Plus approach will continue to be applied in advancing the implementation of these initiatives. This will ensure that diverse perspectives and voices of Indigenous peoples, including Elders, Indigenous women, men, youth, gender-diverse and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are reflected throughout the process, including during annual Federal-Provincial-Territorial-Indigenous (FPTI) meetings, which offer an opportunity to NIOs and FPT ministers to discuss aforementioned priorities. Available disaggregated data, including from the State of the Criminal Justice System Dashboard, will be used to ensure that intersectional perspectives are reflected in advancing the implementation of justice-related Calls to Action and Calls for Justice. This includes applying an intersectional approach in relation to victims, survivors, as well as accused and offenders, based on intersecting identity factors such as age and Indigenous identity.

Canada’s Black Justice Strategy

The Department will continue to lead the work on the development of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, with the support of the Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities, the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, and in consultation and cooperation with provinces, territories, and Black communities. In 2025–26, Justice Canada will continue implementing the Government of Canada’s response to the external Steering Group Report, A Roadmap for Transformative Change: Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, released in June 2024. An intersectional GBA Plus approach will be applied in advancing the implementation of the government response, ensuring that the diverse experiences and perspectives of Black communities, including youth, women, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, immigrants, and Francophone individuals are reflected throughout the process.

Anti-Racism Policy

The Department will continue the implementation its Anti-Racism Policy, which aims to integrate an anti-racism approach throughout all stages of Justice-led policy, legal and program initiatives. Alongside developing supporting guidelines and tools, the Department will undertake activities to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the Policy and its implications, including examples of how it applies to day-to-day work.

Human Rights

The Department will continue to provide strategic advice, training, and guidance on a broad range of human rights policy issues, including matters relating to the Canadian Human Rights Act for which the Minister is responsible, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Canadian Bill of Rights and international human rights.

Modernizing Court Operations

The Department will continue to support the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations, which is co-chaired by the Minister. The Action Committee, along with its Indigenous Advisory Group, will continue to share best practices and develop non-prescriptive guidance to encourage courts to take a broad approach to court modernization that considers both the ways that technology can be leveraged to improve court operations and the need for the courts to be accessible to everyone, including marginalized populations.

In addition to being supported by an Indigenous Advisory Group composed of a diverse group of Indigenous representatives, the Secretariat of the Action Committee employs an intersectional lens when it develops guidance for publication by the Action Committee, considering how different modernization efforts could affect access to justice for court users with a range of lived experiences.

International Engagement

In keeping with Canada’s feminist foreign policy and commitment to GBA Plus, the Department will continue to promote gender-mainstreaming and GBA Plus in the development and implementation of crime prevention and criminal justice policies, norms and standards and the negotiation of international instruments across all forums in which departmental officials participate. For example, the Department will participate in the Fifteenth United Nations Crime Congress to be held in the United Arab Emirates in April 2026. The main theme of the Crime Congress is “Accelerating crime prevention, criminal justice and the rule of law: protecting people and planet and achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in the digital age”. Prior to the Congress, the Department will work in collaboration with other participants on negotiating a high-level political declaration on this theme.

Research and Data Initiatives

Justice Data Modernization Initiative (JDMI)

Through the JDMI, the Department will improve the collection and use of disaggregated data, as part of ongoing efforts to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples and racialized groups, including Black Canadians, in the criminal justice system. This includes collaboration with Statistics Canada, to create a prototype of a criminal justice simulation that estimates the impact on social and justice section interventions on criminal justice system involvement, overrepresentation, and cost. A life-courseFootnote 2 and intersectional approach to data analysis will ensure that findings under the JDMI support policy responses and social investments tailored to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous, Black and racialized people in the criminal justice system.

National Justice Survey (NJS)

The Department will continue to conduct the NJS, a periodic national public opinion survey that gathers information on Canadians’ experiences with and perceptions of the justice system and topical justice issues. Data are collected in a way that allows for disaggregation by gender as well as other intersecting identity factors such as age, region, Indigenous identity, ethno-cultural group, education, income, and labour force characteristics.

Each cycle of the NJS collects information on confidence in the justice system for performance monitoring purposes, as well as topical justice issues. The 2025 NJS will focus on the types of serious legal problems faced by Canadians, as well as if and how these problems are resolved, and the impact that these problems have on other areas of life.

It is expected that data collection will occur in winter 2025. The methodological report and the associated data tables will be posted on the Library and Archives Canada website within six months of the completion of data collection in accordance with Public Opinion Research requirements.

Program Name: Legal Representation

Program Goals: The goals of the Legal Representation program are to improve access to justice for economically disadvantaged individuals and help ensure that the Canadian justice system is fair, timely and accessible, and that public confidence in the justice system is maintained.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan
Legal Aid

Through the Legal Aid Program, the Department will continue to provide contribution funding to provincial and territorial governments, as well as legal aid service providers, to support the provision of criminal and immigration and refugee legal aid services. The main beneficiaries of these services are economically disadvantaged persons and persons overrepresented in all facets of the justice system, including Indigenous peoples, members of Black and other racialized communities, people with mental health issues, and asylum claimants and immigrants in Canada who have multiple intersecting identity factors.

The Department will also support national, provincial, or territorial organizations that provide legal information, advice, and ancillary services to persons who have experienced sexual harassment in the workplace regardless of their income.

The Department will continue to work with service providers to improve the availability of reliable and consistent legal aid data, disaggregated by relevant identity factors, to effectively report nationally on legal aid services and inform evidence-based policy decisions. Improvements to the Legal Aid Program’s Annual Final Report package are made each year to better measure and report on GBA Plus impacts and outcomes. GBA Plus data collection remains a challenge for certain legal aid service providers due to resource constraints or data availability and the Program continues to work with them to address these issues.

Impact of Race and Culture Assessments Initiative (IRCAs)

In 2025–26, the Department will expand the implementation of IRCAs across Canada by supporting more jurisdictions in the preparation of IRCA reports. The Department will also continue to provide funding to train IRCA assessors and justice professionals. This initiative targets economically disadvantaged individuals who are also members of Black and other racialized groups.

The Department will request qualitative and/or anecdotal evidence as part of the reporting requirements and plans to consult with funding recipients to standardize the data collection mechanism, and to implement updated reporting templates in the next reporting cycle.

Program Name: Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime

Program Goals: The Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) provides an impartial review process to address complaints, helps victims and survivors of crime access information about their rights, federal programs and services, and ensures policymakers understand systemic issues that have a negative impact on victims of crime.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The OFOVC will continue to facilitate multiple advisory circles to strengthen its capacity to apply an intersectional GBA Plus lens and broader EDI considerations to its work. Dedicated circles gather diverse perspectives from Indigenous Peoples, academics, service providers, as well as advocates with lived experience.

In 2025–26, the OFOVC plans to release findings from a national systemic investigation on how survivors of sexual assault are treated in the Canadian criminal justice system. The report will be informed by hundreds of interviews with survivors and stakeholders, an external advisory circle, a federal interdepartmental consultative committee, consultation tables, written submissions and anonymous online surveys. The report will provide actionable recommendations to improve access to justice and public confidence in the justice system through a trauma-informed and victim-centred approach that is more responsive to the needs of diverse groups with intersecting identity characteristics. Consultation tables and online surveys will also collect demographic data to inform GBA Plus analyses.

Program Name: Victims of Crime

Program Goals: The Federal Victims Strategy includes criminal law reform, policy development and federal leadership, and program funding. Within the Strategy, the Victims Fund gives victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system by helping to reduce hardship, increase participation in the criminal justice system and increase access to services.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2025–26, Justice Canada will undertake national initiatives to increase awareness about victims’ needs, rights, and available services by conducting capacity building activities, exploring opportunities to strengthen victims’ rights, and advancing criminal law reform. Specific emphasis will focus on implementing a victims-focused approach in federal strategies and national action plans.

In addition, through new investments, the Department will increase access to Indigenous-led or co-developed services and supports for Indigenous victims and survivors of crime. The Supporting Indigenous Victims of Crime initiative responds to the Government of Canada’s commitment to improve the availability of and access to Indigenous-led, culturally safe and trauma-informed victim services and supports. In 2025–26, this initiative is expected to support up to 40 projects that will advance a wide range of activities that increase access to Indigenous-led, survivor-centred services, as well as supports and activities that reflect community needs.

Justice Canada will also address the ongoing and emerging needs of victims and survivors of hate crimes, including enhancing or establishing financial assistance programs and compensation for victims of hate motivated crimes, developing and delivering specialized training to Crown prosecutors, and raising awareness in the judiciary about the unique dynamics of hate crimes.

Through its annual reporting requirements for funding recipients, the Department will receive qualitative and quantitative data that is disaggregated by the type of activity, number of participants, gender, sexual identity/or expression and race/or ethnic identity. These data points will inform policy and program initiatives, tailored to the specific needs of diverse groups of victims.

Program Name: Youth Justice

Program Goals: Under this program, three funding programs support federal youth justice priorities: the Youth Justice Services Funding Program (YJSFP), the Intensive Rehabilitative Custody and Supervision (IRCS) Program and the Youth Justice Fund (YJF). The ultimate goals of the Youth Justice program include improved responsiveness of the youth justice system and support for a fair and accessible youth justice system.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

Through the YJSFP, the IRCS Program and the YJF, the Department will continue to provide funding support to provincial and territorial governments and community-based organisations for the delivery of youth justice services and programs in order to support the effective implementation of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The Department will continue to support a wide range of youth justice programs and services that are responsive and address gender, ethnic, and cultural differences and respond to the specific needs of Indigenous youth. As an example, in 2025–26, the Department will continue to support the "Enhanced Rehabilitative Programming for Racialized and Marginalized Youth" project through the YJF. Through this project, the Government of Prince Edward Island Youth Justice Services will develop enhanced and more responsive rehabilitative programming and policy development to improve services and supports for BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) and 2SLGBTQI+ youth.

Disaggregated data, and particularly data focused on the overrepresentation of marginalized youth populations, will continue to be collected and used to inform the ongoing monitoring of the programs’ responsiveness and accessibility.

Program name: Internal Services

Program goals: Internal Services are provided in support of the delivery of the Department’s programs and to meet its corporate obligations. They promote EDI in all areas of work within the Department, for example, through workplace harassment prevention, accessibility, and anti-racism and anti-discrimination initiatives, to support employees, including members of equity-seeking groups.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan
Accessibility

The Department’s current Accessibility Plan and reporting structure are based largely on qualitative data. The second departmental Accessibility Plan (2025–28), set to be published in December 2025, will expand the program’s capacity to report on quantitative impacts, drawing on past training, including participation in interdepartmental accessibility measurement workshops hosted by the Office of Public Service Accessibility and Statistics Canada.

The Department’s second Accessibility Plan will also be informed by internal consultations on the impacts of barriers experienced by persons with disabilities. The data collected from these consultations provided valuable insights on the gender and diversity intersectionality of persons with disabilities. Participants shared diverse perspectives, including those of women, Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, and members of 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

The Department will also advance the implementation of various initiatives that improve accessibility, such as the JUS in Time Accommodations Solutions and Ergo Coach Program first introduced in November 2024, which streamline workplace accommodations and ergonomic support. Beginning in 2025–26, aggregated data from these initiatives will be available for monitoring on an ongoing basis.

Culture of Inclusivity

The Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat will continue working on the implementation of the Anti-racism, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Culture Change initiative, launched in July 2024. The initiative is designed to assess culture change within the Department relative to anti-racism, EDI, accessibility, and reconciliation. It includes conducting an annual series of online surveys and focus groups that will inform targeted, evidence-based actions; provide regular updates on progress made and next steps; and support productive, Department-specific conversations about anti-racism and anti-discrimination. Disaggregated data about participants will be collected to monitor the impacts on diverse groups. To protect participants’ anonymity, aggregate results of the Culture Change Surveys will be shared annually with all employees through a comprehensive, transparent report. The first “Culture Change Report” is expected to be available to employees in 2025–26.

The Department will also continue to address accessibility issues based on feedback received from employees. For example, employees departing from Justice Canada who are members of Employment Equity groups can now provide feedback on their time working for the Department through an enhanced exit interview process, administered by the Office of the Ombudsperson. Given the confidential nature of the responses provided, aggregated data from this process is used for monitoring and reporting.

Harassment and Violence Prevention

Gender and diversity information is generally collected through Human Resources systems to allow for monitoring and reporting. Due to the sensitive nature of harassment and violence cases, which require the utmost confidentiality of employee information, the Harassment and Violence Prevention Program collects voluntary information on gender and diversity through its intake form, completed by employees who bring forward a complaint. While this approach helps respect privacy, it may limit the availability of fulsome gender and diversity data.