2019–20 Departmental Results Report
Results at a Glance
What funds were used?
$812,721,034 actual spending
Who was involved?
4,570 full-time equivalents (FTEs)
Results Highlights
The following provides an overview of the Department’s key achievements, in terms of five areas of focus, as articulated in the 2019-20 Departmental Plan:
Legal Services and Litigation Strategy
The Department supported the implementation of many Government of Canada priorities through the delivery of high quality, integrated legal services – specifically, advisory, litigation, and legislative services.
Key achievements:
- Continued to advance approaches to litigation strategies that promote settlement and opportunities to narrow or avoid litigation and are consistent with related legal principles, directives and guidelines.
- Assisted Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada with the implementation of the Cannabis Act, including the drafting of regulations regarding edible and concentrate products containing cannabis intended for consumption.
- Provided advice to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency in relation to the Canadian asylum system.
- Provided whole-of-government legal advice for the design and implementation of a regime for carbon pricing and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and provided high quality litigation services for the defence of this regime before the courts.
- Supported the Government’s early response to the COVID-19 pandemic by providing legal advice to federal departments and drafting regulations and bills.
Fostering Safety and Security and Transforming the Criminal Justice System
The Department worked to ensure safety and security for Canadians while transforming the criminal justice system.
Key achievements:
- Led the development and supported the introduction of Bill C-7, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (medical assistance in dying), to respond to the ruling by the Quebec Superior Court in Truchon v. Attorney General of Canada regarding the medical assistance in dying regime.
- Supported the legislative progression and subsequent implementation of former Bill C-75, An Act to amend the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act and other Acts and to make consequential amendments to other Acts. These amendments are intended to strengthen, transform, and modernize the criminal justice system by reducing court delays and by addressing many issues that have disproportionate impacts on overrepresented and vulnerable populations in the system, while maintaining the safety of victims and the public.
- Provided significant legal advisory, legislative and strategic advice to Transport Canada on a number of initiatives aimed at strengthening the safety and security of transportation by rail, including that of dangerous goods.
Advancing Reconciliation
The Department supported the Government’s priority and commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through a renewed, nation-to-nation, government-to-government, and Inuit-Crown relationship based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership as the foundation for transformative change.
Key achievements:
- Continued to support the Government in its commitment to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Advanced the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, including those related to the mandate of the Department in the areas of administration of justice and supporting Indigenous legal traditions.
- Supported the conclusion of negotiations and the signing of self-government agreements on core governance matters with the Métis Nation of Alberta, Métis Nation of Saskatchewan, and Métis Nation of Ontario. This accomplishment is unprecedented in Canadian history and represents a milestone in Canada’s efforts to begin the reconciliatory process with Métis peoples.
- Contributed to the development and implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families. This legislation establishes national standards for the delivery of child and family services and affirms the rights and jurisdiction of Indigenous peoples in relation to child and family services.
Strengthening Human Rights, Governance and the Rule of Law
The Department continued to make progress on the Government’s commitment to uphold the Constitution and the rule of law and assisted the Government in advancing related domestic and international legal and policy interests through the development of public law policy.
Key achievements:
- Supported the passage of Bill C-78, An Act to amend the Divorce Act, the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act and the Garnishment, Attachment and Pension Diversion Act and to make consequential amendments to another Act, to modernize Canada’s family justice system and make it more accessible, efficient, and responsive to Canadian families’ needs.
- Supported the conclusion of negotiations and the domestic implementation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement , which replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement.
- Fully implemented the new section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act, which requires the Minister of Justice to table Charter Statements on the potential effects of all government bills on Canadians’ rights and freedoms under the Charter.
- Supported the implementation of the recommendations put forward by the Honourable Anne McLellan in her Review of the Roles and Structure of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. This included the development of a new oath of office for the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada which refers specifically to the Attorney General’s unique role in upholding the rule of law, giving independent legal advice, and making decisions about prosecutions independently.
Enabling Legal and Business Excellence
Lastly, the Department enabled legal and business excellence with a strategic focus on the Department’s workforce, innovation, and collaboration, as well as open, transparent and accountable operations.
Key achievements:
- Promoted digital approaches and strategies for information sharing and collaboration, including communicating across multiple platforms to engage Canadians in conversations about key Department of Justice Canada priorities.
- Worked at minimizing the impact of pay transformation implementation on Department of Justice Canada employees.
For more information on the Department of Justice Canada’s plans, priorities and results achieved, see the “Results: What We Achieved” section of this report.
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