Terms and Conditions for Grants under the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program

1. Introduction

1.1 These terms and conditions apply to financial assistance provided through grants made under the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP) of the Department of Justice to support the Department’s interest in issues related to access to justice, family violence, and other emerging justice issues. These terms and conditions are drafted in accordance with Treasury Board’s Policy on Transfer Payments (October 2008 and revised in April 2012).

1.2 The JPIP supports the Department’s mission of ensuring a just and law abiding Canadian society with a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system. The JPIP reflects the Department of Justice’s strategic outcome of providing a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.

2. Program/Legislative Authority

The Department of Justice Act (R.S.C., 1985) confers federal powers to the Minister of Justice, related to the superintendence of all matters connected with the administration of justice in Canada, not within the jurisdiction of the governments of the provinces and to the administration of public affairs to ensure that it is in accordance with law. The Minister has the legislative authority to manage funds relevant to the administration of justice.

2.2 Treasury Board decision in 1995 approved the creation of the transfer payment program while Treasury Board decisions in 2002 and in 2007 approved the renewal of the JPIP.

3. Description, Purpose, Goal and Objectives of the JPIP

3.1 Description and Purpose

The JPIP is designed to provide resources to:

3.1.1 Stimulate knowledge development and dissemination by:

• generating awareness and understanding of the Canadian justice system, family violence and other emerging justice related issues among target clients (e.g. policy makers, general public, partners);
• increasing the knowledge base for future program and policy development (evidence-based decision making); and,
• developing, implementing and disseminating models on the administration and delivery of services, to victims of family violence.

3.1.2 Promote partnership building/intersectoral collaboration by:

• encouraging intersectoral collaboration among governmental and non-governmental organizations.

3.1.3 Build community capacity by:

• encouraging and supporting community, professional and citizen participation in promoting, advancing and improving the justice system’s response to family violence; involvement in the responses to family violence; and access to information on family violence, access to justice issues, and other emerging justice issues; and
• increasing community capacity for action on issues related to family violence, access to justice, and other issues of interest to the Department.

3.2 Goal

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

3.3 Objectives

The overall objective of the JPIP is to support policy directions of the Department on issues related to family violence, access to justice, and other emerging justice issues. The specific objectives are to:

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

4. Expected Results and Outcomes

4.1 Progress will be made on long-term outcomes such as improved responsiveness of the justice system to family violence and increased access to justice by achieving the following:

• enhancing awareness and understanding of family violence, emerging justice issues, and the justice system;
• increasing the engagement/ability of stakeholders/communities to address needs/issues of those affected by family violence or other emerging justice issue; and,
• ensuring that stakeholders have the capacity to build knowledge, awareness and understanding of justice issues.

4.2 The performance measures and indicators that will be used for monitoring and reporting purposes are:

Expected Results	Performance Measures and Indicators
Increased capacity to build knowledge, awareness and understanding of justice issues	Number, type and nature of activities/projects undertaken by stakeholders to provide legal information Number and type of PLEI products developed and distributed Number and nature of partnerships developed or supported Extent and nature of engagement and ability of stakeholders and communities to address needs/issues of those affected by family violence
Canadians have an increased awareness and knowledge of the justice system including their rights and obligations	Extent to which Justice has supported key stakeholders
Increased access to the Canadian justice system	Extent to which individuals have accessed public legal education and information to help address their legal issues Extent to which PLEI material and information on family violence is available and accessed by population targeted Extent to which non-governmental organizations have contributed to access to justice issues
Strengthened Canadian legal framework	Extent to which stakeholders have been able to help develop or test new approaches to strengthen the national legal framework

4.3 Under the Program Alignment Architecture (PAA), the JPIP is situated within the Strategic Outcome of “A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system”; the Program of “Stewardship of the Canadian legal framework”; the Sub-program of “Justice System Support” and of the Sub-sub-program of “Criminal justice and legal representation”.

5. Classes of Eligible Recipients

Any of the following may be eligible for operational grant funding for their ongoing activities:

• Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (for the Law Amendments Committee);
• Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges;
• Canadian Society for Forensic Science;
• National Judicial Institute;
• Uniform Law Conference of Canada; and
• Provincially designated PLEI organizations (one per province).

Any of the following may be eligible for grant funding for a project:

• Canadian not-for-profit organizations;
• Provincial and territorial governments, regional and municipal governments, provincial and territorial Crown corporations;
• Canadian educational institutions/boards of education;
• Bands, Tribal Councils, self-governing First Nations and Inuit; and,
• Individuals.

6. Nature and Type of Projects/Activities

The activities undertaken pursuant to the JPIP align with Government priorities. As such, grants may be provided for the following justice-related activities:

• assessment of the response of the justice system and professionals to family violence, and of PLEI materials and activities;
• development of information materials and sessions, new strategies, models and tools;
• development and implementation of support for child victims/witnesses of family violence in the criminal justice process;
• development of family violence resource tools for service providers;
• revision, reprint, translation and distribution of PLEI materials;
• pilot projects (e.g., projects that adapt successful models, projects that seek to develop a coordinated response to a family violence issue, an educational and awareness project);
• research (e.g. a project that undertakes research activities and collect date for the development of a model, a research project on the issue of forced marriage);
• conferences, symposia, meetings, etc.; and,
• other activities of interest to the Department.

7. Eligible Expenditures

In assessing applications for grants and to be eligible to receive a grant, eligible expenditures shall be those expenditures that are necessary to support the purpose of the projects/activities in order to attain the anticipated results. Expenditures incurred between the time the application is received and the funding agreement is signed may also be eligible. Ineligible expenses include:

• entertainment fees, alcohol, moot courts, sponsorships, thesis-related activities, contests, gifts, souvenirs and other promotional products (such as coffee mugs, pins, etc.);
• the purchase of buildings, land, vehicles and other major capital costs; and,
• retroactive funding (i.e. costs incurred prior to a project’s/activity’s official start date).

8. Maximum Level of Total Government Assistance: Stacking Limits

8.1 Assistance is provided at the minimum level necessary to further the attainment of stated Program/component objectives and expected results.

8.2 The maximum level (stacking limit) of Total Government Assistance (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal assistance for the same eligible expenditures) will not exceed 100% of eligible expenditures.

8.3 In the event that actual Total Government Assistance to a recipient exceeds the stacking limit, the Department will adjust its level of assistance and seek reimbursement so that the stacking limit is not exceeded.

8.4 Proposals must disclose all additional sources of funding, i.e. funds from other departmental programs, other federal departments, other levels of government, charitable foundations, etc.  In the course of the project, the recipients are required to report to the Department any additional funds received to support the approved project or activity.

9. Methods to Determine the Amount of a Grant

9.1 Proposals will be screened for completeness, eligibility, and program relevance. The budget will be assessed to determine whether the costs are appropriate for the project activities. Proposals will then undergo a quality assessment, which may include internal and/or external reviewers. To assess merit, this stage of the review process could include consultations with provincial/territorial colleagues and persons familiar with the particular issue. Proposals recommended for approval will be forwarded to the appropriate departmental authority for final decision.

10. Maximum Amounts of Grants Payable to a Recipient

The maximum annual amount payable to recipients of an operational grant under the JPIP shall not exceed the pre-determined amount listed below. Depending on the timeframe of an initiative, single year or multi-year funding agreements may be used.

Name of Organization	Amount
Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police	$25,000
Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges	$100,000
Canadian Society of Forensic Science	$50,000
National Judicial Institute	$268,345
Uniform Law Conference of Canada	$50,000

Provincially Designated PLEI Organizations	Amount
Alberta	$70,000
British Columbia	$85,000
Manitoba	$70,000
Ontario	$275,715
Prince Edward Island	$70,000
New Brunswick	$70,000
Newfoundland and Labrador	$70,000
Nova Scotia	$70,000
Quebec	$180,098
Saskatchewan	$70,000

The maximum amount payable to recipients of a grant for projects shall not exceed $100,000 annually. Depending on the timeframe of an initiative, single year or multi-year funding agreements may be used.

11. Supporting Material Required for an Application

Applications for an operational grant for ongoing activities from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges, the Canadian Society for Forensic Science, the National Judicial Institute and the Uniform Law Conference of Canada, should include:

• name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, e-mail address of the applicant’s authorized representative(s), a website address and the organization’s business number;
• accomplishments of the previous fiscal year;
• activities to be undertaken during the year; and
• an indication of how the Department's funding support will be acknowledged.

Applications for an operational grant for ongoing activities from the provincially designated public legal education and information organizations should include:

• name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, e-mail address of the applicant's authorized representative(s), a website address and the organization’s business number;
• a description of the activities to be undertaken, how the activities incorporate diversity and equality considerations, and how the applicant has taken into consideration the needs of official language communities in minority situation and the analysis undertaken to measure the impact the project may have on these communities;
• the anticipated outputs (service or product) ;
• detailed budget related to the activities to be undertaken including: amount being requested from the Department and other proposed sources of revenue; and,
• an indication of how the Department's funding support will be acknowledged.

Applications related to a project should include (as appropriate and applicable):

• name, address, telephone and facsimile numbers, and e-mail address of the applicant's authorized representative(s), organizational structure including legal status, names of principal personnel and program/project administrators, a website address where possible, and the organization’s business number;
• mandate, objectives and accomplishments of the applicant;
• evidence of demonstrated capacity to meet project/activity objectives and financial requirements;
• detailed project/activity description including:
  • project/activity title;
  • identification of need(s) or problem(s) to be addressed;
  • goals and objectives of the proposed project/activity;
  • identification of the ultimate beneficiaries for the proposed project/activity;
  • the anticipated outputs (service or product), outcomes (results), and a brief description of measures of success in achieving goals;
  • a work plan detailing activities to be undertaken to support the attainment of project goals, including timeframe and activities; and,
  • links to governmental and departmental mandates and responsibilities and to the objectives and priorities of the JPIP;
• detailed budget of the project/activity including: amount being requested from the Department, other proposed sources of revenue including in-kind support from other levels of government, private sector and community based organizations, etc. and a detailed list of anticipated expenditures;
• an indication of how the applicant has taken into consideration the needs of official language communities in minority situation and the analysis undertaken to measure the impact the project may have on these communities;
• an indication of any diversity and gender equality implications of the project or activity;
• disclosure of any actual or potential conflict of interest and/or any contingency fee arrangement for lobbyists in accordance with the Lobbying Act and disclosure of involvement of former public servants or public office holders who are under the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service or the Conflict of Interest and Post Employment Code for Public Office Holders; and,
• a description of how the Department's funding support will be indicated.

The Department may also require the following information:

• letters of support from identified partners;
• an indication of the level of community involvement or support (commitment, endorsement, scope and level of participation, cooperation and volunteer involvement) and/or an indication of the degree of provincial/territorial support for the project;
• a project evaluation design/performance measurement strategy identifying among other elements, the project’s outputs, beneficiaries, methodology and performance indicators;
• a strategy for ensuring financial viability or project transition in the post-federal funding period, including the potential for support to assist in the project continuance or follow-up after the demonstration phase;
• identification of follow-up activities which might include the dissemination of   information, a communications plan, the nature of the report that will be given to the Department upon project completion (including an outline of the proposed report content) and next steps; and,
• how the Department could benefit in terms of knowledge to advance policy development and improve the justice system.

12. Assessment/Approval Process

In reviewing and recommending the grants payable to the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, the Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges, the Canadian Society for Forensic Science, the National Judicial Institute and the Uniform Law Conference of Canada, and the ten provincially designated public legal education and information organizations for their ongoing activities, the Department will take into consideration the extent to which their activities directly support and advance the objectives of the JPIP and departmental priorities.

In reviewing and selecting grant recipients for projects, the Department will normally consult with different sectors within the Department and, when appropriate, with other federal departments, and provincial and territorial governments.  The following factors will be considered:

• the extent to which the project supports and advances the objectives of the JPIP and departmental priorities, including gender equality and diversity issues, and the needs of official language communities in minority situation, and the extent to which the project could advance the Department’s knowledge base and inform legislative, policy and program development;
• the amount of funding requested relative to the amount of resources available from the Department in any given year and the probability that the project will incur a deficit and therefore require support to become financially viable;
• the nature of the project, its cost-effective aspects, the manner in which the project will be developed, implemented and monitored;
• whether the proposed activities are in federal or provincial jurisdiction;
• the ability of the applicant to carry out the activities within the specified time frame and budget;
• the Department’s previous experience in working with the organization, the degree of collaboration, and the quality of and success of the project(s);
• whether the project has already started;
• the innovative nature of the project, where applicable;
• whether the project is clearly distinct from the core activities of the organization (if it is not, funding will not be provided);
• where applicable, the quality of the performance measurement strategy and the evaluation component;
• where applicable, the level of support of provincial/territorial governments and other stakeholders relevant to the project;
• where applicable, type, extent and distribution plans for report(s) produced;
• where applicable, whether there is likely to be financial support to allow the project to continue after the demonstration phase;
• the degree to which the project meets the social dimensions of sustainable development;
• the impact on the justice system;
• the potential transferability of the project and the experience it may provide to other jurisdictions; and,
• the public recognition by the recipient of the Department’s contribution.

13. Reporting

Performance Reporting

The Department will assess and take into consideration the likelihood that the funded activities will provide concrete results during its assessment process. Where appropriate, the Department may require recipients to develop an evaluation framework identifying the activities’ outputs, target group, beneficiaries, methodology, performance indicators, and potential results.

Recipients will be required to report on the activities undertaken as a result of the funding provided, including results and impacts. The information provided will be used for performance measurement purposes. For activities that involve training and information events, recipients will be required to administer a pre and post questionnaire to assess the impact on the participants’ knowledge and understanding of the subject area. The Department will endeavour to keep reporting requirements at a minimum but sufficient to support the departmental performance measurement framework.

14. Official Language Communities in Minority Situation

All materials and services for applicants and recipients are available in the official language of choice. The JPIP will ensure that all necessary measures are put in place to support the development of official language communities in minority situation in Canada, as well as to promote the full recognition and use of English and French in Canadian society.

The JPIP objectives are to be implemented within the broader context of the linguistic duality of Canada by supporting projects that will serve official language communities in minority situation. Applicants will be required to provide information on whether the project will lead to services being provided in both official languages and the impact the project may have on official language communities in minority situation. Recipients receiving funding will be required to respect the spirit and intent of Canada’s Official Languages Act when providing services to the public as part of a funding agreement.