2020–21 Departmental Results Report
From the Minister
I am pleased to present the Department of Justice Canada’s 2020-21 Departmental Results Report for the reporting period of April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
This report provides information on the Department’s key achievements in providing high-quality legal advisory, legislative, programming, and litigation services in support of the Government of Canada’s priorities.
Responding to the COVID-19 global pandemic was a key priority in 2020-21. The Department of Justice Canada supported the Government’s response by providing the legal services required to implement numerous public health measures, including securing access to vaccines and personal protective equipment for Canadians, as well as testing and vaccination efforts, measures at the international borders, and supporting financial relief efforts for Canadians, employers and businesses. Justice Canada supported the Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19 in restoring Canadian court operations in a way that prioritizes the health and safety of participants and upholds the justice system’s fundamental values. The Department also introduced changes to the Criminal Code, the Identification of Criminals Act, and related federal legislation in order to address criminal justice issues exacerbated by the pandemic.
Strengthening and renewing the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous peoples has remained a key focus for the Department. Justice Canada continues to support the Government’s commitment to reconciliation through renewed nation-to-nation, Inuit-Crown, and government-to-government relationships, based on the recognition of rights, respect, cooperation and partnership. Bill C-15, An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, was introduced in 2020-21 and, in June 2021, received Royal Assent – a milestone achievement that will help pave the way towards healing and meaningful action to uphold the human rights of Indigenous peoples. This legislation will require the Government to advance implementation of the Declaration, and is an important step in renewing the Government’s relationship with Indigenous peoples. The Department’s work on advancing reconciliation also included contributing to a National Action Plan in response to the Calls for Justice of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
Moreover, Justice Canada continued its efforts to build a legal framework and a justice system that take all Canadians into consideration, are free from discrimination, and offer equal access to the protections of the law. As part of this work, legislation was introduced which proposes sentencing reform measures to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous people, Black people, and marginalized populations in the criminal justice system, including those living with substance abuse and mental health challenges. The Department secured important investments to strengthen the implementation of the Gladue Principles and to support initiatives that help address systemic inequities across the criminal justice system.
The Department was instrumental in supporting the enactment of legislation to change the Criminal Code provisions on medical assistance in dying, the introduction of legislation that aims to criminalize aspects of conversion therapy and protect the dignity and equality rights of 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex and asexual), as well as the enactment of legislation to ensure judges receive continuing education to better understand the complex nature of sexual assault law and social context.
The Department worked to implement changes to federal family laws under the Divorce Act to promote the best interests of the child, address family violence, help reduce child poverty, and make the family justice system more accessible and efficient. It also worked with federal partner organizations to introduce new firearms legislation to help combat intimate partner violence, gender-based violence, and self-harm involving firearms.
Although the Department has made significant strides over the reporting period, there is considerable work ahead. Justice Canada will continue to develop, advance, and support legislation, policy and programs aimed at helping Canadians and their communities by increasing access to justice, upholding the rule of law and better protecting Indigenous peoples, individual rights and vulnerable populations.
I would like to thank all Department of Justice Canada employees for their dedication, the outstanding quality of work, and their profound commitment to serving the public, especially throughout the pandemic. Canadians from coast to coast to coast continue to benefit from their efforts to support the Government of Canada and make the justice system more efficient, fair, and accessible.
The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
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