Core responsibility descriptions

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Core responsibility: Internal Services

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the Federal Government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refer to the activities and resources of ten distinct services that support program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are: Acquisition Management Services, Communications Services, Financial Management Services, Human Resources Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, Legal Services, Materiel Management Services, Management and Oversight Services, Real Property Management Services.

Department of Justice

Core responsibility 1: Justice System Support

The Department plays an essential role in ensuring a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system. This is a shared responsibility among a broad range of players, including Parliament, the judiciary, federal departments and agencies, partners in provincial, territorial and municipal governments, a broad range of non-governmental organizations and stakeholders, and, ultimately, all Canadians.

Core responsibility 2: Legal Services

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada provides legal services to the federal government and its departments and agencies. The Minister is responsible for seeing that the administration of public affairs is in accordance with the law. The Minister is also responsible for examining all government bills and all government regulations for consistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Additionally, the Attorney General is responsible for advising the heads of departments on all matters of law and for conducting all litigation for federal departments or agencies on subjects within the authority or jurisdiction of Canada.

Core responsibility 3: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada

Core responsibility 1: Support services and facilities to federal administrative tribunals and its members

The Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada is responsible for providing support services required by each tribunal by way of a single, integrated organization.

Core responsibility 2: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Canadian Human Rights Commission

Core responsibility 1: Human Rights Complaints

Provide people in Canada with a mechanism to file human rights complaints and remedies to victims of discrimination; reduce instances of systemic discrimination; and represent the public interest in legal cases to advance human rights in Canada.

Core responsibility 2: Engagement and Advocacy

Provide a national credible voice for equality in Canada—my Canada includes everyone; promote broadly human rights in Canada by raising public awareness of human rights issues; and engage civil society, governments, employers and the public in dialogue and action to affect human rights change.

Core responsibility 3: Employment Equity Audits

Ensure employer's compliance with employment equity statutory requirements; encourage employers to identify barriers to employment and implement best practices to eliminate gaps in the representation of women, visible minority groups, aboriginal peoples and persons with disabilities.

Core responsibility 4: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Courts Administration Service

Core responsibility 1: Administrative Services for the Federal Courts

Provide timely and efficient judicial, registry, court security and electronic court services to the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada; coordinate the provision of services among the four courts; and safeguard the independence of the Courts by placing administrative services at arm's length from the Government of Canada.

Core responsibility 2: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs

Core responsibility 1: Administrative support to federally appointed judges

To provide services and support to the federal judiciary in a manner which contributes to the independence of the judiciary and the confidence of Canadians in our judicial system.

Core responsibility 2: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Core responsibility 1: Prosecution Services

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutes criminal and regulatory offences under federal law in an independent, impartial and fair manner. It also provides prosecutorial legal advice to investigative agencies.

Core responsibility 2: Electoral Compliance and Enforcement

Compliance and enforcement activities under the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act are conducted by the Office of the Commissioner of Canada Elections in an independent, impartial and fair manner.

Core responsibility 3: Internal Services

See introductory text.

Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada

Core responsibility 1: Protection of privacy rights

Ensure the protection of privacy rights of Canadians; enforce privacy obligations by federal government institutions and private-sector organizations; provide advice to Parliament on potential privacy implications of proposed legislation and government programs; promote awareness and understanding of rights and obligations under federal privacy legislation.

Core responsibility 2: Government Transparency

The Information Commissioner is the first level of independent review of government decisions relating to requests for access to information under the control of government institutions. The Access to Information Act requires the Commissioner to investigate all the complaints she receives. The second level of independent review is performed by the Federal Court.

Core responsibility 3: Internal Services—Office of the Privacy Commissioner

See introductory text.

Core responsibility 4: Internal Services—Office of the Information Commissioner

See introductory text.

Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada

Core responsibility 1: The administration of Canada's final court of appeal

Provide services and support for Canada’s final court of appeal to process, hear and decide cases. Support communications and outreach to stakeholders.

Core responsibility 2: Internal Services

See introductory text.

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