Minister's message

I am pleased to present the Department of Justice’s report on fees for 2021–22.

The Service Fees Act provides a modern legislative framework that enables cost-effective delivery of services and, through better reporting to Parliament, improves transparency and oversight.

The Family Orders and Agreements Enforcement Assistance Act (FOAEAA) program experienced another notable fiscal year in 2021-22, where it reached its second highest total amounts garnished in one year. As with the previous year, the Government of Canada dedicated efforts to helping Canadians during difficult times by providing economic support to individuals facing hardship. This contributed to an important share of the garnishments of employment insurance payments to satisfy family support obligations of vulnerable Canadian children and families under the FOAEAA, increasing the fees collected under the regime. The Government’s investments in developing a hybrid model for conducting virtual and in-person hearings helped courts across Canada ease COVID-19 restrictions throughout the year. As a result, the Central Registry of Divorce Proceedings (CRDP) program saw an increase in divorce registrations and its associated revenues.

The introduction of the Service Fees Act and the Directive on Charging and Special Financial Authorities has contributed to increasing departmental accountability and information sharing with fee payers. To ensure that all obligations are met and fairness in the management of fees, the Department conducts periodic fee reviews. The CRDP fee review completed during the 2021-22 fiscal year determined that the current fee remains relevant and appropriate. The FOAEAA fee review began during the 2021-22 fiscal year and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022-23.

I welcome the transparency and oversight that the Service Fees Act’s reporting regime embodies, and am fully committed to continuing to meet its reporting requirements. These serve to highlight important ways in which Canadians from coast to coast continue to benefit from the Department of Justice’s efforts to support the Government of Canada, to promote respect for rights, and to make the justice system more efficient, fair, and accessible.

The Honourable David Lametti, P.C., K.C., M.P.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada