Gender-based Analysis Plus Supplementary Information Table: 2024–25 Departmental Results Report

Contents

• Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity
• Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program
  • Core Responsibility: Legal Services
    • Program Name: Advisory Services
    • Program Name: Legislative Services
    • Program Name: Litigation Services
  • Core Responsibility: Justice System Support
    • Program Name: Contraventions Regime
    • Program Name: Drug Treatment Court Funding Program
    • Program Name: Family Justice
    • Program Name: Indigenous Justice
    • Program Name: Justice System Partnerships
    • Program Name: Legal Policies, Laws and Governance
    • Program Name: Legal Representation
    • Program Name: Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime
    • Program Name: Victims of Crime
    • Program Name: Youth Justice
  • Program name: Internal Services
• Definitions

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

Governance

The Department of Justice Canada (the Department) remains committed to applying intersectional Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) in its policies, programs, and legal services, as well as in managing its operations, to ensure a fair and accessible justice system for all Canadians. In 2025, the Government of Canada commemorated the 30th anniversary of GBA Plus, reaffirming its commitment to gender equality and the application of an intersectional approach. In support of these efforts, the Department continued to promote equity and inclusion by advancing the priorities of the Gender Results Framework.

In 2024–25, the Department developed the Intersectional Equity and Inclusion Guide to strengthen the integration of GBA Plus and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles in governance and decision-making. By incorporating intersectional, equity and inclusion approaches, such as GBA Plus, anti-racism, accessibility, and culturally relevant distinctions-based frameworks, the Department worked to address systemic barriers and ensure decisions are inclusive and reflective of diverse lived experiences. Throughout the year, governance committees were actively engaged in strategic discussions and oversight, ensuring that GBA Plus continued to be meaningfully incorporated into work across the Department.

The Department continued implementing its Policy on GBA Plus, which ensures employees are trained and accountable for applying intersectional analysis in their work to support inclusive, evidence-based decision-making. As a centre of expertise, the GBA Plus Unit led departmental efforts to integrate intersectional GBA Plus into key initiatives, including Memoranda to Cabinet, Budget Requests, and Treasury Board Submissions. It also contributed to broader government priorities, notably through its work on the Justice Canada Implementation Plan for Canada’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. The Unit coordinated the departmental response to the annual GBA Plus Implementation Survey, conducted by the Department of Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), focused on GBA Plus training, capacity, application, monitoring, and barriers to GBA Plus implementation.

The Unit also supported the GBA Plus Champion in promoting employee engagement, capacity-building, and the adoption of innovative practices. These efforts were further reinforced by the GBA Plus Action Team, a working-level group dedicated to strengthening the application of GBA Plus across all areas of work.

Capacity

The Unit continued to strengthen the Department’s GBA Plus capacity by creating practical resources, outreach and engagement activities and delivering training to raise awareness and improve implementation. For example, three case studies were developed, each focused on a key area of work, including legal services, program delivery, and policy development. These case studies were specifically designed to reflect the Department’s core areas of work and serve as tools to enhance comprehension and support the application of GBA Plus principles in day-to-day work. By using practical examples and inclusive approaches, they facilitate the development of initiatives that reflect diverse perspectives and needs.

To further advance GBA Plus capacity, a case study focused on the implementation of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy was developed under the leadership of WAGE, in close collaboration with the Unit and the Canada Black Justice Strategy Team. As a horizontal initiative involving multiple federal departments and stakeholders, the case study demonstrates how GBA Plus principles can be applied collaboratively to address systemic barriers and promote equitable outcomes in justice-related policies and programs. It was published on WAGE’s resource website as a best practice and practical tool to support cross-sectoral engagement.

Another key priority was the development of training tailored to the specific needs of the employees in the Department. The Unit worked on finalizing a dedicated training module for departmental legal professionals. This e-learning module is the first in a series of customized training resources designed for each core area of work, including legal services, policy development, and program delivery. The legal services module will be launched in 2026 and focuses on integrating intersectional GBA Plus considerations into legal advice, legislative, and litigation services, and includes best practices and case studies to support practical application.

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

The Department has a dedicated GBA Plus Unit of 3 full-time equivalents, supported by a departmental GBA Plus Action Team with approximately 14 members, representing diverse portfolios. Together, they raise awareness and promote the integration of GBA Plus in departmental work, with the GBA Plus Champion leading efforts to advance key priorities and commitments. The Unit also supports research and analysis related to GBA Plus and helps improve the Department’s capacity to collect and use disaggregated data.

The Department continued to promote the use of disaggregated data to inform evidence-based policies and programs, including through the Justice Data Modernization Initiative.

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.

Target Population: Internal to the Government of Canada (federal departments and agencies)

Distribution of Benefits^{Footnote 1}

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

While the Department provides legal advisory services to federal departments and agencies, in a broader sense all Canadians are the indirect end beneficiaries.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

The Department provides legal advisory services to federal departments and agencies and contributes to the advancement of the outcomes described in the Departmental Results Framework. Direct program impacts are measured through the Legal Services Client Feedback Survey (CFS)^{Footnote 2} to identify strengths and areas where service improvements may be needed.

Other Key Program Impacts

The Department delivered timely and responsive advisory services that supported the advancement of key government priorities, including initiatives aligned with GBA Plus objectives.

Diversity and inclusion in procurement

The Department provided legal services to support Public Services and Procurement Canada to advance various initiatives aiming to increase the diversity of the bidders and suppliers, reduce barriers, promote inclusivity and support underrepresented groups in the federal procurement process, including Indigenous people, Black and racialized persons, women and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals. This includes measures such as integrating socioeconomic criteria into procurement processes designed to achieve social procurement outcomes.

Protecting privacy

Legal professionals provided support for the former Digital Charter Implementation Act, aiming to modernize the framework for the protection of personal information and new rules for the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. Among others, the Act introduced measures to assess and mitigate the risks of harm and bias in high-impact artificial intelligence systems, which is critical for addressing systemic inequalities.

Reconciliation

The Department provided legal advice to support the implementation of An Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis children, youth and families, which promotes the delivery of culturally appropriate, community-led child and family services by Indigenous communities exercising jurisdiction over their own child and family welfare systems.

The Department also provided legal advisory services to federal departments and agencies in relation to the government’s ongoing commitment to advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. This included the development of resources and tools for federal officials to support their work in fulfilling their obligations under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act), such as the Interim guide for officials on how to assess consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples published on the Department’s website in March 2025.

The Department also provided legal advice during 2024–25 supporting the introduction of Bill S-2, An Act to amend the Indian Act (new registration entitlements) in the Senate on May 29, 2025, aiming to address remaining inequities in the Indian Act. Bill S-2 proposes amendments in four key areas: enfranchisement, voluntary deregistration, natal band reaffiliation and membership, and the removal of outdated and offensive language related to dependent persons. These changes respond directly to concerns raised by First Nations and individuals impacted by the Indian Act’s residual inequities. If passed, the legislation would ensure that individuals with family histories of enfranchisement are entitled to registration under the Indian Act and extend entitlement to their descendants.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Annual progress report on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (August 2025)
• Interim guide for officials on how to assess consistency with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (June 2024)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Advisory Services program ensures that legal advice provided to government departments and agencies incorporates GBA Plus considerations, where applicable. The responsibility for collecting relevant data on gender and diversity impacts lies with the client departments and agencies leading the development and implementation of each specific initiative.

Additionally, the Department monitors client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations in its legal advisory services through the CFS. As part of this effort, the Department gathers feedback from service users who self-identify as persons with disabilities, including in aspects such as barrier-free communication, the physical accessibility of service environments, and respectful interaction. The results presented represent the mean satisfaction rating obtained from 5,940 users of the Department’s legal advisory services throughout the course of Cycle V (2023–2025) of the CFS.

The first complete set of results for these newly introduced indicators became available in March 2025. For the current survey cycle, action plans are required to address elements of the survey that did not meet the departmental target (satisfaction rating of 8.0/10). Progress on action plans is monitored and reported to the Department’s Performance Measurement and Evaluation Committee. Doing so signals to clients that the Department has considered and is acting upon their feedback to improve the quality of legal services provided to them. It also provides an opportunity to engage clients in weighing their needs and interests against broader public interests, legal and policy requirements, as well as resource limitations, and can serve as an occasion to discuss activities or initiatives clients may consider undertaking to contribute to improved legal services.

Current survey cycle results show service users provided a “strong – surpassed target” satisfaction rating (8.9) towards the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legal services. The Department will continue to monitor results to ensure an ongoing high level of satisfaction on the part of service users.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the program impacts and client experiences, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights related to client satisfaction, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and captures key initiatives that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed, evidence-based decisions.

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.

Target Population: Internal to the Government of Canada (federal departments and agencies)

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

While the Department provides legislative and regulatory drafting services to federal departments and agencies, in a broader sense all Canadians are the indirect end beneficiaries.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

The Department provides legislative and regulatory drafting services to federal departments and agencies and contributes to the advancement of the outcomes described in the Departmental Results Framework. Direct program impacts are measured through the CFS to identify strengths and areas where service improvements may be needed.

Other Key Program Impacts

The Legislative Service Branch’s Inclusive Legislative Drafting Committee worked on making federal legislation more inclusive and reflective of Canada’s diversity. The Committee reviewed drafting practices and proposed practical solutions by updating the drafting guidelines to encourage the use of inclusive language, where relevant. This can address issues related to the use of gendered language or references to notions of sex or gender, thereby promoting a more equitable and respectful approach to legislative drafting services.

In addition, the co-drafting and revision processes are intended to ensure the highest quality of language in both French and English, thereby meeting the requirements under the Official Languages Act.

Finally, the Legislative Services program also updated the French language version of its guide on inclusive legislative drafting and released a new drafting note addressing the use of Indigenous names in the legislative corpus.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of Legislative Services Program (2023)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Legislative Services program ensures that legislative and regulatory drafting services provided to government departments and agencies incorporate GBA Plus considerations, where applicable. The Department collects data on client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into its legislative services through the CFS. As part of this effort, the Department also gathers feedback from service users who self-identify as persons with disabilities, including in aspects such as barrier-free communication, the physical accessibility of service environments, and respectful interaction.

The first complete set of results for these newly introduced indicators became available in March 2025 and can be found in the data table above. Current survey cycle results show service users provided a “strong – surpassed target” satisfaction rating (8.9) towards the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legal services. This new data will be used by the Department to assess the integration of GBA Plus considerations into legislative services, as relevant, and implement additional measures to enhance the process.

These results provide valuable insights into the Department’s performance in delivering accessible and inclusive legal services. This data will inform ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery and ensure that legal advisory services are responsive to the diverse needs of the Department’s clients.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the program impacts and client experiences, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights related to client satisfaction, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and captures key initiatives that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed, evidence-based decisions.

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 the Department to ensure the coherence and coordination of litigation and advisory services in specific legal areas.

Target Population: Internal to the Government of Canada (federal departments and agencies)

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

While the Department provides litigation services to federal departments and agencies, in a broader sense all Canadians are the indirect end beneficiaries.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

The Department provides litigation services to federal departments and agencies and contributes to the advancement of the outcomes described in the Departmental Results Framework. Direct program impacts are measured through the CFS to identify strengths and where service improvements may be needed.

Other Key Program Impacts

The Department promoted enhanced accessibility of court services by supporting the modernization of court operations. For example, through the implementation of advanced procedures and technologies, remote hearings are being facilitated, allowing greater flexibility, saving travel costs and making the process more convenient for all participants, specifically people with disabilities and other impacted groups. Additionally, the introduction of secure electronic documentation processes has streamlined case management while reducing paper use and integrating environmentally sustainable practices. These improvements increased access to justice and the overall efficiency of the justice system and contributed to addressing delays.

The Department continued to develop and support strategic litigation positions in collaboration with client departments, including the application of the Principles and the Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous People to ensure that Canada’s positions in litigation involving Indigenous peoples are consistent with the goal of recognizing rights and advancing reconciliation, and identifying opportunities to narrow litigation issues and for early resolution and/or settlement. In addition, the approaches used were aligned with the UN Declaration Act and the Attorney General of Canada’s Directive on Civil Litigation Involving Indigenous Peoples.

GBA Plus principles are applied to the litigation program, as appropriate. The Department ensured a consistent approach to litigation related to sexual harassment, assault or misconduct, and harassment or discrimination in the workplace and provided support on the settlement of Indigenous childhood claims. The Department continued to assist the Government in achieving its objectives in accordance with the law, including the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and other constitutional and international obligations.

The Department encouraged counsel to consistently provide their name pronunciations and pronouns, both orally and in writing, as outlined in the Federal Court’s Amended Consolidated General Practice Guidelines. Others, including but not limited to, provincial courts, have also introduced directions on the use of pronouns. These guidelines and directions assist Canada’s Legal Team in effectively integrating GBA Plus considerations into their work and the advancement of equity and inclusion.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of Litigation Services Program (2019)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The Litigation Services program ensures that litigation services provided to government departments and agencies incorporate GBA Plus considerations, where applicable. 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. With respect to providing legal advice on a file, litigators may indicate that the client should take into account GBA Plus considerations. Examples of files where this may take place include Charter litigation, gender-based or diversity litigation (e.g., harassment, exclusion) and settlement discussion, as appropriate.

Additionally, the Department collects data on client satisfaction with the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations in its legal services through the CFS. As part of this effort, the Department also gathers feedback from service users who self-identify as persons with disabilities, including in aspects such as barrier-free communication, the physical accessibility of service environments, and respectful interaction. The results presented represent the mean satisfaction rating obtained from 5,940 users of the Department’s litigation services throughout the course of Cycle V (2023–2025) of the CFS.

The first full set of results for the newly introduced indicators became available in March 2025. For the current survey cycle, action plans are required for any areas that did not meet the departmental satisfaction target of 8.0/10. Progress on these plans is tracked and reported to the Department’s Performance Measurement and Evaluation Committee.

This process ensures that feedback is valued and acted upon, reinforcing the Department’s commitment to improving the quality of litigation services. It also creates opportunities to engage clients in addressing their needs and interests against broader public interests, legal and policy requirements, as well as resource limitations, and can serve as an occasion to discuss activities or initiatives clients may consider undertaking to contribute to improved legal services.

Survey results from the current cycle show a “strong – surpassed target” satisfaction rating of 8.9/10 for the integration of GBA Plus and EDI considerations into legal service. These results provide valuable insights into the Department’s performance in delivering accessible and inclusive legal services. This data will inform ongoing efforts to enhance service delivery and ensure that litigation services are responsive to the diverse needs of departmental clients.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the program impacts and client experiences, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights related to client satisfaction, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and captures key initiatives that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed, evidence-based decisions.

Core Responsibility: Justice System Support

Program Name: Contraventions Regime

Program Goals: This program includes the Contraventions Act Fund (the Fund) established by the federal government to ensure the implementation and administration of the Contraventions Act enforcement regime in a manner consistent with all applicable constitutional and legislative language rights and obligations. More concretely, the Fund aims to sustain access to justice in both official languages for all offenders by providing provinces and territories with the ability to deliver judicial activities and extra-judicial services in both official languages in conformity with the obligations set out under Part IV of the Official Languages Act and sections 530 and 530.1 of the Criminal Code.

Target Population: Canadians who have received a federal contraventions ticket

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Alleged offenders are the ultimate beneficiaries^{Footnote 12} of the Contraventions Regime program through an efficient and effective justice system given their language rights within the context of a prosecution. More specifically offenders, including those who are members of official language minority groups, are expected to have access to judicial activities and extra-judicial services in the official language of their choice.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, provinces continued to fulfill official languages duties on behalf of the federal government by maintaining concrete measures to uphold offenders’ language rights. The Department provided funding to six provinces (British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador) and one municipality (Mississauga) to support their efforts in safeguarding these rights. As a result, all trials requested by offenders, including members of official language minority communities, were conducted in the official language of their choice. This ensured that the program met its commitment related to providing both judicial and extra-judicial services in the preferred official language of offenders, supporting access to justice in both official languages.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Contraventions Act Program (2021)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

The GBA Plus data that is collected is focused on understanding how obligations to official language minority communities are being fulfilled. During 2024–25, the jurisdictions receiving funding were asked to report on the following: total number of contraventions tickets issued; the number of trials requested in each official language; the number of trials held in the second official language of the jurisdiction; the number of trials requested in the second official language and scheduled but not held; and, the number of complaints, if any, concerning non-compliance with federal obligations under the Official Languages Act and Criminal Code. Standardized templates for funding partners are in place to improve the quality of the data collected. As new data is received, it is analysed to assess actions that could be taken, as needed, to address any barriers to accessing services in both official languages and how to further improve data collection.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of this program’s outcomes and impacts, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights into program results, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and highlights key activities that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

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 and also aims to promote and strengthen the use of alternatives to incarceration, with a particular focus on vulnerable populations.

Target Population: Eligible adult offenders who committed a crime as a result of a substance use disorder.

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Drug Treatment Court (DTC) programs are available to all Canadians who meet the selection criteria. Statistics show that for this reporting period the program had a greater beneficial impact for males between 30-49 years of age with a serious dependence on the illicit use of opiates, who form the majority of participants (see table below). In addition, the public and community members are expected to benefit indirectly as the program contributes to making communities healthier and safer by reducing the criminal recidivism of participants who committed a crime due to a substance use disorder.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

The demographic group that benefited most from the program during the past year remained males aged 30 to 49. At the same time, sub-groups with higher retention rates may have experienced greater benefits as well. While Indigenous people make up 5% of the Canadian population (2021 Census), they are overrepresented in the criminal justice system, constituting 30% of adult admissions to provincial/territorial correctional services in 2022–23. According to the statistics table above, 36% of new DTC program participants in 2024–25 self-identified as Indigenous, suggesting equitable representation among those accessing program benefits. These results also highlight the effectiveness of the Program’s targeted measures to enhance access for Indigenous people.

In 2024–25, the DTCFP continued to include GBA Plus priorities in the meetings with provinces and territories, such as discussions on program eligibility criteria and its effects on the entry of Indigenous and marginalized participants.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Drug Treatment Court Funding Program (2021)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

During 2024–25, the DTCFP developed its new database, the Substance Use Treatment Court Information System (SUTCIS), which was launched in June 2025. The new database includes standard demographic survey questions on gender, age, Indigenous identity, race and ethnicity with a view to collecting data that will inform equity and evidence-based policy objectives. The new database will improve the data collection related to GBA Plus and will help to evaluate the reach of the Program on members of population groups disproportionately impacted. The Program will continue to work with the provinces and territories to improve the data collection related to GBA Plus.

As part of the application process the provinces and territories are asked to provide information regarding how they will integrate an intersectional GBA Plus approach to improve access to DTCs for diverse individuals, such as Indigenous, Black and other racialized people who are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Funding agreements require that provinces and territories report through the recently launched federal database and disaggregate the data collected by GBA Plus identity factors such as age groups, gender, Indigenous identity and ethnicity to enable the monitoring of impacts from a gender and diversity perspective and to ensure programs are tailored to the needs of diverse populations.

The Program’s data collection strategy is based on a mixed-methods approach integrating both quantitative and qualitative data to support a comprehensive assessment of program impacts and outcomes. Quantitative data offers measurable insights into service delivery and accessibility, including retention rates. Complementing this, qualitative data provides contextual depth and helps uncover barriers to participation. This approach reinforces evidence-based decision-making.

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 to ensure that the justice system is responsive to the needs of families, children and youth, and operates with fairness and efficiency.

Target Population: Canadian families experiencing separation and divorce

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

The direct beneficiaries of the activities of the Family Justice Program are Canadian families, children and youth, while all Canadians are indirect beneficiaries.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, the Department continued to support supervised parenting time and exchange services through the CFJF, promoting safety for families facing risks such as domestic violence or mental health challenges. For example, Québec’s Supervised Parenting Time project started work on expanding its services to reduce backlogs and improve access.

The Child-Centred Information and Resources project by the Justice Education Society of British Columbia launched the FamiliesChange.ca website, which expanded nationally, reaching over 335,000 users offering gender-inclusive, diverse, and accessible parenting resources that reflect the experiences of women, girls, Indigenous peoples, immigrants, and other vulnerable groups.

In Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, Le Petit Pont’s “Personalized Interventions for Families” trained professionals and adapted services to better support diverse communities, enhancing understanding of Divorce Act changes and improving family well-being through tailored, accessible interventions.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of Federal Support for Family Justice: Canadian Family Justice Fund (2023)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the program implemented updated exit surveys for the Family Mediation Service and the Parenting Education Program. The updated surveys include specific questions and modifications related to GBA Plus to ensure an inclusive approach and gather more comprehensive data. For example, a key adjustment is changing "mother" and "father" to "parent" to foster greater inclusiveness. Options are also expanded to include "guardian" and "caregiver" and “other relative” based on recurring responses from previous years’ data. Furthermore, new demographic questions are included to collect data on relevant identity factors. These changes aim to improve data collection and create a more inclusive and insightful feedback process.

In addition to data collected by the Department through exit surveys, the Family Justice program relies on partner organizations, such as Statistics Canada, for data collection, including the disaggregation of data by different identity characteristics. For example, data related to family law cases in Canada is disaggregated by gender, geographic location and other relevant factors, which provides more comprehensive information to support intersectional analyses of gender and diversity impacts of the Program.

The data collection plan for the Program includes both quantitative and qualitative methods, supporting a comprehensive understanding of the Program’s impacts and outcomes, while also taking into consideration the various capacity levels of recipients. Quantitative data provides measurable insights into the delivery of family justice services, including satisfaction, reach and impact, while qualitative data offers contextual insights and highlights key activities that have contributed to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

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 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 have led to higher levels of incarceration and victimization. IJP supports 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, both as victims and offenders. The objective of the ICW is to provide assistance to Indigenous people involved in criminal and family justice systems to obtain, fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant treatment. The IPF supports ongoing consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples to implement the UN Declaration, the 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.

Target Population: For the IJP: Indigenous individuals in contact with the justice system.

For ICW: Indigenous individuals in contact with the criminal justice system, in particular accused persons and offenders, and/or Indigenous individuals in contact with the family and child protection justice systems.

For IPF: First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments, representative institutions and organizations.

Distribution of Benefits^{Footnote 18}

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

The direct beneficiaries of the activities of the Indigenous Justice program are Indigenous people involved with the justice system as victims as well as offenders/accused, including Indigenous women and girls and Indigenous youth, as well as Indigenous-led organizations. Indigenous communities and all Canadians are indirect beneficiaries.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

Indigenous Justice Program

In 2024–25, the IJP supported post-sentence Gladue aftercare programming. The funding supported community-based justice programs in assisting individuals, who have had a Gladue report, in meeting the conditions of their sentence and implementing other recommendations from the report. The program also expanded access to civil family mediation services, enabling Indigenous communities to resolve conflicts peacefully–particularly those involving at-risk youth and parents navigating custody arrangements. These efforts contribute to more inclusive, trauma-informed justice approaches with particular focus on youth involved in the system.

Indigenous Courtwork Program

The ICW Program continued to support Indigenous courtwork services, which provided assistance to Indigenous people in contact with the justice system to obtain fair, just, equitable and culturally relevant support. In 2024–25, the ICW Program had cost-shared funding agreements with all three territories and all provinces, with the exception of Newfoundland and Labrador. Further, the ICW Program expanded the availability of courtwork services and Gladue reports to New Brunswick and supported Gladue report writing pilot projects in Newfoundland and Labrador and in Manitoba. Through Budget 2024, ICW funding for family courtwork services was renewed to assist Indigenous persons navigating the family justice and child protection systems. Jurisdictions cost-sharing family courtwork services included Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec and Northwest Territories. The ICW Program also supported the development of community-led family courtwork frameworks in Yukon, Alberta, and Manitoba as well as a family courtwork operational training manual in Ontario.

Indigenous Partnership Fund

The IPF provided a total of $11.5 million to 126 organizations in 2024–25. Organizations included Indigenous national and regional representative organizations, as well as individual First Nations, Modern Treaty and self-governing partners, national Indigenous women’s and urban and off-reserve organizations, and Métis governments and Tribal Councils. Funding was provided to support their participation in UN Declaration Act implementation and in various Action Plan implementation, monitoring and oversight processes. These activities strengthened Indigenous leadership and self-determination by supporting diverse voices.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Indigenous Justice Program (2021)
• Evaluation of the Indigenous Courtwork Program (2023)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the IJP provided additional training to improve the capacity of funding recipients to report disaggregated data on a broader range of program activities. Ongoing training on the IJP’s new online data collection tool is expected to further improve the quality of the data collected by the program.

The IJP Online Referral Reporting Application (the App) is a user-friendly and accessible tool used to collect program-specific demographic information, disaggregated by relevant factors. It provides funding recipients with an efficient and streamlined reporting process to more easily meet reporting requirements. Data collected through the App can also help programs with client management, internal evaluations, strategic planning, and reports. Furthermore, the data collected will be used by the IJP to track program development and delivery, and to inform the design, development, and evaluation of the IJP as a whole.

The ICW has introduced revised GBA Plus reporting factors in the most recent five-year agreements with provinces and territories. In 2024–25, the ICW continued collaborating with provincial and territorial partners to implement funding for Gladue report writing and collected data on the number of reports issued.

Finally, the IPF collected data on the number and types of Indigenous governments and organizations funded, disaggregated by types of Indigenous governments and organizations (e.g., distinctions-based; regional; representing diverse interest-based communities). This data enables a better understanding of funding distribution, ensures transparency and accountability in resource allocation and helps identify gaps or inequities to meet the needs of Indigenous communities across Canada.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of these programs’ outcomes and impacts, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights into program results, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and highlights key activities that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

Program Name: Justice System Partnerships

Program Goals: The overall objectives of the Justice System Partnerships Program 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 and justice issues related to language minorities, family violence, and other emerging trends, as well as issues related to access to justice.

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

Canadians, including official language minority communities (OLMCs), are the ultimate beneficiaries of the activities carried out under the Justice System Partnership Program, which aims to ensure all Canadians have equal access to justice. The population subgroups targeted by the specific Program activities may include, but are not limited to, Indigenous people and bilingual youth wishing to study law, family violence victims, immigrants, minority groups, and self-represented litigants. The initiatives under the Program also benefit bilingual justice professionals such as judges, attorneys, clerks, bailiffs and probation officers, among others, by providing them with various resources, training and other knowledge products to improve their linguistic capabilities, and build awareness and knowledge related to access to justice issues.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP)

In addition to program statistics in the table above, JPIP continued to support Community Justice Centre (CJC) pilot projects, including the first year of a new project with the Manitoba Métis Federation based on the Justice Navigation Model that will provide Red River Métis citizens with wrap-around and interdisciplinary supports. An environmental scan was completed in 2024–25 to better understand the needs of communities across Manitoba, and to ensure targeted and relevant interventions and supports are implemented. Citizens will have access to legal information, assistance navigating different aspects and processes within the justice system, information on next steps, referrals to services and comprehensive outreach.

Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

Through the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund multiple projects were funded in support of official languages rights. For example, the Réseau des femmes du Sud-Ouest de l’Ontario, a not-for-profit organization operating in Sarnia, produced 10 podcasts offering relevant and simple legal information in French to women who are victims of domestic violence. The objective of this project was to empower vulnerable members of OLMCs with relevant legal information to increase their access to justice in both official languages.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (2023)
• Evaluation of the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Initiative (2021)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the JPIP promoted the integration of GBA Plus in federal funding applications by sharing the Gender-based Analysis Plus tool for applicants and recipients of federal funding and training resources, making GBA Plus part of the key evaluation criteria and incorporating it into annual reporting for all initiatives. The JPIP also continued to collect disaggregated client data for existing initiatives via two client surveys, for victims receiving independent legal advice/representation, and for organizations providing legal advice and supports to racialized communities. Both surveys collect data disaggregated by gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age and geographic location, which provide evidence on the needs for specific services, and possible barriers and accessibility issues faced by certain groups. The CJC initiative also collects client data, disaggregated by age, ethnicity and gender, which could be used to develop tailored services for specific groups.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of outcomes and impacts, the JPIP employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, which also takes into consideration the varying capacity of recipients. The mixed-methods approach integrates both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights into project results and reach, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and highlights key activities that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

In 2024–25, initial data for the Access to Justice in both Official Languages Support Fund’s GBA Plus assessment was collected; however, stakeholders raised concerns that the data did not adequately reflect the demographic composition of francophone OLMCs. To address this, stakeholders will be re-engaged, and a revised data collection tool will be introduced in 2025–26. Additionally, more representative data will be gathered throughout the year. Improved data quality will enhance the Fund’s ability to identify and address barriers, ultimately supporting more equitable outcomes for diverse francophone communities across Canada. The Fund uses a mixed-methods approach–combining quantitative and qualitative data–to evaluate fund outcomes and support evidence-based decisions that promote and advance equity and inclusiveness.

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.

Target Population: All Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific Demographic Group Outcomes

The ultimate beneficiaries of the activities of this Program are predominantly Canadians, but also people residing in Canada who are in contact with the justice system. Specific social groups that are overrepresented in the justice system, either as victims or offenders/accused, such as women, Indigenous peoples, and Black and other racialized persons, may experience benefits aiming to reduce their overrepresentation. These groups are disproportionately impacted by negative outcomes due to systemic barriers, and a targeted approach is needed to address inequities and improve justice system responses. Additionally, to identify and address unintended impacts and systemic barriers that diverse groups may face, the Department actively seeks the participation in collaboration, engagement and consultation initiatives of women, gender-diverse people, Black people, youth, as well as diverse Indigenous voices, including Indigenous women, Elders and youth, among other groups, as resources are made available.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

The National Justice Survey is a periodic public opinion research survey conducted to explore Canadians’ perceptions and knowledge of justice-related issues.

Other Key Program Impacts

UN Declaration Act

To support the implementation of the UN Declaration, the Government of Canada introduced the UN Declaration Act Action Plan in June 2023, outlining a roadmap to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration. The plan contains 181 measures reflecting priorities put forward by Indigenous partners across regions, distinctions, and diversity groups. The 2024–25 Annual Progress Report includes the perspectives of 58 Indigenous communities and organizations and reporting from 41 federal government organizations. The Department applied a GBA Plus lens to the report by engaging with Indigenous women, youth, Elders, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and persons with disabilities, to ensure their perspectives on progress are reflected. As part of the data collection process, the Department asked for demographic characteristics to obtain a better understanding of experiences and perspectives across different Indigenous sub-groups.

Indigenous Justice Strategy

On March 10, 2025, the Government of Canada released the Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS) to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system. Co-developed with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, the IJS includes distinctions-based principles^{Footnote 31} and priorities to support self-determination, and the revitalization of Indigenous laws and legal orders. An intersectional GBA Plus approach was applied to the engagement process and ensured diverse representation from Indigenous women, 2SLGBTQI+ people, persons with disabilities, youth, Elders, individuals living in urban settings and those with lived experience in the justice system. IJS incorporates an inclusive and intersectional approach responding to the distinct needs of Indigenous people and will use tools like incarceration rates and future disaggregated data indicators to monitor progress and effectiveness.

Reconciliation

The Department continued to strive to develop innovative approaches to support Indigenous justice systems, guided by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action and the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice. Efforts included negotiations on administration-of-justice agreements with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories, to support culturally inclusive community-led justice programs, and promote improved access to justice for Indigenous communities. The Department continued to apply a GBA Plus lens to ensure that initiatives reflect diverse Indigenous perspectives, including Elders, women, youth, and 2SLGBTQI+ persons, to foster community-focused justice agreements that are responsive to the needs of all members of the community.

Canada’s Black Justice Strategy

The Department continued to lead the implementation of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, and collaborated with provinces, territories, Black communities, and an external Steering Group of experts and leaders from Black communities across Canada. In June 2024, the external Steering Group published A Roadmap for Transformative Change report consisting of 114 recommendations to address systemic discrimination that contributed to the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims and survivors of crime. In February 2025, the Government of Canada’s response to the Report was published, outlining a 10-year implementation plan, Toward Transformative Change. The Implementation Plan is supported by an initial $87.4 million investment over two years, announced in the 2024 Fall Economic Statement to establish Canada’s Black Justice Strategy.

Anti-Racism Policy

In 2024–25, the Department advanced the implementation of Justice Canada’s Anti-Racism Policy to ensure improvement of practices and processes within the justice system, as well as ongoing identification and elimination of barriers created and perpetuated by discrimination and systemic racism. As part of this commitment, the Department developed tailored training for its employees to build awareness and strengthen cultural competency. These efforts support the broader goal of embedding equity and anti-racism principles into departmental policies, programs, and legal work.

Family Justice

The Department continued to work with the provinces and territories to support Canadians going through separation and divorce and reduce poverty for Canadian single parent families and children by supporting family law enforcement efforts. On November 15, 2024, changes were made to the Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act, which expanded the release of tracing information to include financial information from Canada Revenue Agency information banks to courts and certain provincial and territorial institutions. These measures help reduce poverty by ensuring that parents and children receive the support they are owed. They also increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system by simplifying processes and improving access to justice by ensuring that support orders are made more quickly, accurately and with less conflict.

Miscarriage of Justice

The Department continued to support the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada in the establishment of an independent commission to review, investigate, and decide which criminal cases should be returned to the justice system due to a potential miscarriage of justice. That will improve access to justice and make it easier and faster for potentially wrongfully convicted people to have their applications reviewed. On March 7, 2025 the Miscarriage of Justice Review Commission was established. The Commission will decide whether a miscarriage of justice may have occurred and whether it is in the interest of justice to direct a new trial or refer the case back to the Court of Appeal. This will include considering the specific personal factors of the applicant as well as the distinct challenges that applicants who belong to certain populations face in obtaining a remedy for a miscarriage of justice, with particular attention to the circumstances of Indigenous peoples, women, and members of racialized or marginalized communities.

Victims of Crime

The Department played a key role in the organization of the National Summit on Combatting Antisemitism, held in March 2025. In collaboration with Public Safety Canada and Canadian Heritage, it engaged with a wide range of stakeholders, including law enforcement, provincial and territorial officials, and members of the Jewish community, to address the growing threat of antisemitism. The Department committed to supporting the advancement of summit priorities, such as examining options to strengthen criminal law tools to combat hate. These efforts reflect the ongoing work to build and maintain the safety and security of all communities across Canada.

International Engagement

In 2024–25, the Department reinforced Canada’s leadership in inclusive rights-based approaches to criminal justice by promoting GBA Plus and people-centred strategies across global forums, including the United Nations, G7, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. For example, the Department played a leadership role supporting an Expert Group Meeting (EGM) on Equal Access to Justice for All that developed recommendations for improving access to justice globally, including through the promotion of GBA Plus in the development of justice system responses. The Department has since actively promoted the recommendations through participating in panels and, along with Brazil, tabling the results of the EGM in Conference Room Papers at all five regional preparatory meetings for the Fifteenth United Nations Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the 34^th Session of the Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. Further, as part of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime Working Group of Government Experts on Technical Assistance, the Department worked to embed gender mainstreaming and victim-centred perspectives into the legal and policy frameworks that better respond to the unique experiences and identities of victims and witnesses.

Supplementary Information Sources

• The National Justice Survey
• Annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (2024)
• UN Declaration Act Action Plan
• Indigenous Justice Strategy
• Canada’s Black Justice Strategy
• Evaluation of the Reconciliation Secretariat (2023)
• Public Perceptions of Restorative Justice in Canada, 2024
• Canada’s State of the Criminal Justice System
• Results of the Online Survey on the Federal Child Support Guidelines

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the National Justice Survey retained the same format as the previous one, including response scales and data disaggregation based on identity factors. In addition, gender, race and ethno-cultural identity questions were revised to better reflect Canada’s diversity. The survey employed a probability-based sampling method to ensure that results are representative of Canada’s total adult population, ages 18 and over. Indigenous people and racialized groups were oversampled to ensure a sufficient number of responses for disaggregated analysis. As a result of this sampling approach, results from the National Justice Survey 2025 were disaggregated by: Indigenous identity, race, ethno-cultural identity, age, gender and region.

Under the Justice Data Modernization Initiative, the Department commissioned and conducted research that uses quantitative and data science approaches to examine the potential for actions, both within and outside the justice sector, to reduce the overrepresentation of Indigenous and Black people in the criminal justice system. For example, in 2024–25, a prototype criminal justice simulation model was completed in collaboration with Statistics Canada. Using national cohort data, the prototype and the forthcoming full model will help assess the potential of programs, policies and legislation to reduce overrepresentation in the criminal justice system.

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, efficient and accessible, and that public confidence in the justice system is maintained.

Target Population:

Criminal Legal Aid: economically disadvantaged adults and youth, including vulnerable populations (Indigenous peoples, individuals from Black and other racialized communities, and individuals suffering from mental health and addiction issues).

Immigration and Refugee Legal Aid: economically disadvantaged immigrants and refugees (non-official language speakers, members of racialized communities, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals).

Impact of Race and Culture Assessments (IRCAs): economically disadvantaged adults and youth from Black and other racialized communities eligible for criminal legal aid.

Workplace Sexual Harassment: women, Indigenous women, racialized women, youth, newcomers, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, low-income women in precarious employment.

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

The Legal Representation program supports provincial and territorial governments and legal aid service providers, in providing access to legal advice and representation for economically disadvantaged individuals and uses an individual’s income as the main factor to determine eligibility to receive legal aid. As males (adults and youth), Indigenous persons, members of Black and other racialized communities, persons with mental health issues and those with cognitive impairments are over-represented in the criminal justice system, these groups, along with immigrants and refugees (for immigration and refugee legal aid) benefit more from legal aid. Women, especially low-income women in precarious employment, young women, newcomer and ethnocultural minority women, Indigenous women, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals are disproportionately impacted by workplace sexual harassment and are the primary beneficiaries of legal advice in cases of sexual harassment in the workplace.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, legal aid funding supported access to justice for economically disadvantaged individuals, reinforcing fairness and public confidence in the justice system. Increased funding was provided for criminal legal aid, targeting the over-represented groups of Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, and individuals with mental health or substance use issues. A multi-year agreement to deliver criminal legal aid in Quebec was finalized.

Increased investments were also provided to address significant demand for immigration and refugee legal aid services. Funding was provided through multi-year agreements in eight provinces, ensuring continued access to services amid rising demand. These efforts helped reduce systemic barriers and enabled more equitable access to justice for immigrants and refugees, including significant numbers of ethnic, linguistic, cultural and religious minorities and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Legal Aid in Canada 2023–24
• Evaluation of the Legal Aid Program (2021)
• Evaluation of the Legal Support and Awareness to Address Sexual Harassment in the Workplace Initiative (2023)

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the Department continued to collect data on legal aid service users disaggregated by relevant identity factors such as gender, age, geographic location, and others. Currently, most jurisdictions provide information on the gender and adult/youth breakdown among clients. In addition, some jurisdictions collect data on Indigenous identity.

The program continued to make ongoing improvements to the annual reporting templates used by direct service providers to collect statistical data. These improvements strengthen the Program’s capacity to measure and report on GBA Plus impacts and outcomes more effectively.

In 2024–25, a call for proposals was launched for the Legal Support and Awareness to Address Workplace Sexual Harassment project. The integration of a GBA Plus lens in the application process was a key consideration assessed as part of the call for proposals and reporting on GBA Plus has been integrated into annual reporting templates for each initiative. In addition, service providers continued collecting data on the number of Black and other racialized minorities that have benefited from an IRCA report.

To ensure a comprehensive understanding of the outcomes and impacts of the Legal Representation program, the Department employs a mixed-methods approach to data collection, integrating both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. Quantitative data provides measurable insights into program results, while qualitative data offers contextual depth and highlights key activities that contribute to advancing equity and inclusiveness. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

Program Name: Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime

Program Goals: The objective of the Office of the Federal Ombudsperson for Victims of Crime (OFOVC) is to improve the access for victims and survivors of crime to information about their rights, existing federal programs and services, and also ensure an impartial review process to address their complaints about federal programs, services, laws or policies regarding victims of crime.

In addition, the program works to promote access by victims to existing federal programs and services for victims by providing them with information and referrals. The OFOVC works to identify and review emerging and systemic issues that negatively impact victims and survivors of crime.

Target Population: All Canadians, with a specific focus on victims and survivors of crime, as well as citizens more vulnerable and therefore more likely to be victimized (2SLGBTQI+, Elders, First Nations, Inuit and Métis, immigrants and newcomers, marginalized communities and individuals, persons living with disabilities, youth, etc.).

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

The direct beneficiaries of the program are victims and survivors of crime, including members of overrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized individuals, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, persons with disabilities and others. Additionally, indirect beneficiaries are the families of the victims and survivors of crime.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, the OFOVC continued to support victims of crime through research, intersectional analysis, and policy advocacy as follows:

• Published a study on Strengthening Access to Justice for Victims of Hate Crime in Canada, which included 13 recommendations aimed at reducing discrimination and hate
• Appointed a new Chair and revived its First Nations, Inuit and Métis Advisory Circle
• Held four Advisory Circle meetings with academic and frontline service providers to better identify and address intersectional barriers faced by victims, and to raise awareness and improve services
• Integrated GBA Plus considerations in data collection of systematic investigation into the experiences of survivors of sexual assault as they navigate the criminal justice system
• Continued to inform policymakers of victims’ needs and promote OFOVC recommendations to address systemic issues

Supplementary Information Sources

• Systemic Investigation – Survivors of sexual assault
• Strengthening Access to Justice for Victims of Hate Crime in Canada – Canada.ca
• OFOVC Recommendations to government
• OFOVC Statements

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

OFOVC used a mixed methodology to ensure a comprehensive analysis for its systemic investigation into the experience of survivors of sexual assault in the criminal justice system. GBA Plus assessments considered age group, disability, gender, first spoken language, population groups, and gender diversity.

This included quantitative and qualitative data from written submissions, survivor and stakeholder interviews and surveys to help identify trends or issues that may have a negative impact on diverse groups of victims.

Consultation tables included:

• 2SLGBTQI+
• Black & racialized communities
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis communities
• Newcomers
• People living with disabilities

In addition, to strengthen its capacity to report on GBA Plus impacts, the OFOVC worked on advancing the implementation of its new data strategy and procurement of a new case management system.

Program Name: Victims of Crime

Program Goals: The Federal Victims Strategy (FVS) is a cross-cutting initiative that undertakes three inter-related strategic activities: criminal law reform; policy development and federal leadership; and program development and delivery. As an important part of the FVS, the Department’s Victims Fund supports the objective of giving victims a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. To achieve this objective, initiatives funded under the Victims Fund are designed to consider a broad range of factors and conditions that influence the justice system such as reducing hardship for victims of crime, increasing their participation in the criminal justice system and increasing access to services for victims.

Target Population: Victims of crime and more broadly all Canadians

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Victims and survivors of crime are the ultimate direct beneficiaries of this program’s activities, including members of overrepresented groups such as women, Indigenous peoples, Black and racialized individuals. In addition, most of the work on victims and survivors of crime is undertaken in partnership with other stakeholders or through support to Parliament. This includes organisations delivering victim services, victims’ advocacy organizations, as well as criminal justice system and allied professionals.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impacts Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, the Victims Fund supported 12 provincial and territorial governments and 8 non-governmental organizations to provide independent legal advice and representation for victims of sexual assault. Since the inception of the funding, 4,265 victims of sexual assault have been provided with legal advice and representation. This initiative has significantly strengthened support systems for victims and improved access to justice.

The SIVC initiative provided funds for Indigenous-led services that address various forms of harm, including family and IPV, human trafficking, and elder abuse. These efforts enhance culturally safe supports for victims of all ages and genders, strengthen community and justice partnerships, and are helping to advance healing, safety, and justice in Indigenous communities.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Justice Canada Federal Victims Strategy (2021)
• Statistics Canada data tables on victimization
• Victims of Crime Research Digest, 2025
• Victim Services in Canada, 2024

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, Victims Fund recipients continued to use the new reporting tools. With a view to ensure consistent and fulsome data collection, the new reporting template has been adapted to each of the Victims Fund’s components (e.g. Human Trafficking, Child Advocacy Centres, Independent Legal Advice and Independent Legal Representation, Victims of Sexual Assault, and Indigenous supports). In addition, some of the victim service organizations are administering a client survey. These updated tools allow for the disaggregation of data by age, gender, ethnicity, sexual identity, language and location and continue to be used by programs to identify and address gaps and barriers faced by victims and survivors of crime who are in contact with the criminal justice system.

Recipients that offered legal advice and representation to survivors and victims of sexual assault and IPV were provided the necessary tools to collect disaggregated data on clients accessing their services.

To assess program impact, officials rely on quantitative data to measure outcomes, complemented by qualitative data to provide deeper contextual analysis and identify potential barriers to participation. This balanced approach ensures a better understanding of outcomes and supports informed, evidence-based decisions.

Program Name: Youth Justice

Program Goals: Under this Program, three funding programs support federal youth justice priorities (i.e., the Youth Justice Services Funding Program, 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.

Target Population: The general youth justice population (aged 12 to 17 at the time of the offence) is the primary target for this programming.

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

The ultimate beneficiary of the programming is youth involved in the criminal justice system and more specifically members of sub-groups overrepresented in the criminal justice system, which includes young men, Indigenous youth, and Black youth.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key program impact statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

In 2024–25, the YJF supported 24 active projects that delivered new and enhanced diversion, rehabilitation, and reintegration programs for youth involved in the criminal justice system. In the same period, the IRCS program supported 131 youth, enabling access to a wide range of therapeutic interventions and specialized programming. These initiatives have had a meaningful impact by promoting positive youth development, reducing recidivism, and supporting successful reintegration into communities. The continued investment in these programs demonstrates a commitment to evidence-based approaches that address the complex needs of youth involved in the justice system.

Supplementary Information Sources

• Evaluation of the Youth Justice Initiative (2021)
• Statistics Canada data tables for youth corrections
• Admissions to youth corrections, by visible minority group and sex
• State of the Criminal Justice System Report: A Focus on Youth (2024)
• Police-reported youth crime statistics in Canada, 2023

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In 2024–25, the Department, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, successfully continued the integration of individual-level IRCS program data into the Social Data Linkage Environment, enhancing the ability to track participant outcomes across domains such as health, justice, education, and income. This data linkage supports enhanced analysis examining the impact of multiple factors to inform evidence-based policy.

To gain a comprehensive understanding of program outcomes and impacts, the Department uses a mixed-methods approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative data to measure results and provide context on underlying factors. This approach supports more informed evidence-based decisions.

Program name: Internal Services

Program goals: Internal Services provide support services to employees and management allowing the Department to meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. Internal Services promote EDI within the Department by providing services and resources to employees and management, including on workplace harassment prevention and support to all employees including members of equity-seeking groups.

Target population: Employees of the Department of Justice Canada

Distribution of Benefits

Specific demographic group(s) to be monitored

Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of racialized groups, 2SLGBTQIA+ persons, students and newcomers/immigrants directly benefit from the targeted recruitment initiatives and creation of inventory pools implemented by the Department. In addition, the Department is modernizing its internal services to improve accessibility, with the goal of removing and preventing barriers faced by persons with disabilities.

Key Program Impacts on Gender and Diversity

Key Program Impact Statistics

Other Key Program Impacts

Accessibility: In 2024–25, the Department continued to implement its Accessibility Plan by:

• Launching the JUS in Time Accommodations Solutions and Ergo Coach Program, which provides expedited accommodations and ergonomic support.
• Publishing eight additional Building Accessibility Guides and promoting existing Guides.

The Department also published an annual report on its Accessibility Plan and conducted consultations to inform the development of its 2026–2029 Accessibility Plan.

Culture of inclusivity: In 2024–25, the Department continued to advance its Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination (ARAD) Results Framework and Employment Equity (EE) Plan by furthering its work on targeted recruitment and career development for equity-seeking group members and conducting consultations to inform the development of the 2025–2028 ARAD Results Framework.

In addition, departmental EE dashboards were updated with data from the departmental Self-Identification and Voluntary Self-Declaration Questionnaire. Representation for Indigenous, Black and racialized groups, and members of the 2SLGBTQI+ communities were compared to more current internal benchmarks set by the Department. Distinct benchmarking methodologies have been used to support recruitment decisions and address gaps in representation, including population-based projections for Indigenous peoples and racialized groups, internal benchmarks for Black employees, and representation guidance from Treasury Board Secretariat for 2SLGBTQI+ communities.

Sponsorship Program: The departmental Sponsorship Program was launched in July 2024. It supports members of equity-seeking groups who aspire to leadership positions through mentoring and sponsorship relationships with senior leaders, with emphasis on relationship-building, networking and access to development opportunities. The first cohort of participants began the program in 2024–25.

Harassment and Violence Prevention Program: The Harassment and Violence Prevention Program continued to provide a safe and confidential space for departmental employees to report and/or discuss incidents of harassment and violence, including incidents related to the prohibited grounds for discrimination under the Canadian Human Rights Act. Additional resources, tools and support such as the updated Manager’s Guide for Family Violence in the Workplace, the revised Workplace Respect Framework, and targeted awareness campaigns were also available to all employees. These resources were designed to enhance understanding, promote respectful behaviours, and support both employees and managers in navigating complex situations.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan

In addition to ongoing data collection based on employment equity factors, the Department’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Discrimination Secretariat (ARADS) continued to implement new measures and enhance existing ones to improve future reporting on impacts related to gender, racial identity, and ability.

For example, through the Culture Change Initiative, ARADS collected qualitative and quantitative data to help monitor the Department’s progress toward a more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace culture. This initiative enabled the collection of disaggregated data to support targeted, evidence-based actions; provide regular updates on status, progress, and next steps; and foster meaningful, Department-specific dialogue on anti-racism and anti-discrimination.

Definitions

Target Population: See the Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the User Instructions for the GBA Plus Departmental Summary

Scales

Gender Scale:

• First group: Predominantly men (e.g., 80 per cent or more men)
• Second group: 60 per cent – 79 per cent men
• Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
• Forth group: 60 per cent – 79 per cent women
• Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g., 80 per cent or more women)

Income Level Scale:

• First group: Strongly benefits low-income individuals (Strongly progressive)
• Second group: Somewhat benefits low-income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
• Third group: No significant distributional impacts
• Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
• Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)

Age Group Scale:

• First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
• Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
• Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation