Strategic outcome, program or core responsibility descriptions

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Department of Justice

Strategic outcome 1

A fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system.

Program 1.1: Stewardship of the Canadian Legal Framework

The Department fulfils its stewardship role by ensuring a bilingual and bijural national legal framework for the administration of justice that contributes to a safe and just society for all Canadians and confidence in Canada's justice system. The Department develops and tests innovative approaches to strengthen the legal framework within the following domains: criminal law, youth criminal justice, sentencing, official languages, marriage and divorce, access to justice, bijuralism, human rights, privacy, access to information, and Aboriginal justice. In addition, in view of the federal government's shared interest in a sustainable justice system, the Department promotes and facilitates ongoing dialogues with the provinces and territories in the areas of shared jurisdiction and provides funding for the delivery of programs that directly support federal policy objectives.

Program 1.2: Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime

The Office of the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime was created to provide a voice for victims of crime at the federal level and to ensure that the federal government meets its commitments to victims. The Office provides direct information, referral and complaint review services to its primary clients–victims, victims' family members or representatives, victim serving agencies, and other related stakeholders. The Office also helps raise awareness of systemic issues amongst all criminal justice and victim serving personnel as well as provides related recommendations and advice to the Government of Canada through the Minister of Justice. In order to fulfill its mandate, the Office promotes access by victims to existing federal programs and services for victims; addresses complaints of victims about compliance with the provisions of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act promotes awareness of the needs and concerns of victims and the applicable laws that benefit victims of crime, including Canadian Victims Bill of Rights and the principles set out in the Canadian Statement of Basic Principles of Justice for Victims of Crime; identifies and reviews emerging and systemic issues that negatively impact victims of crime; and facilitates access by victims to existing federal programs and services by providing them with information and referrals. The Ombudsman reports directly to the Minister of Justice and, as such, the Office falls outside the Department's governance framework.

Strategic outcome 2

A Federal Government that is Supported by High Quality Legal Services.

Program 2.1: Legal Services to Government Program

The Department of Justice provides an integrated suite of high quality legal advisory, litigation and legislative services to the Minister of Justice and to all federal departments and agencies to support them in meeting the Government's policy and programming priorities and to advance the overall objectives of the government. Services are provided through a network of departmental legal services units co-located with client departments and agencies, specialized legal capacities within national headquarter, and a network of regional offices and sub-offices providing legal advisory and litigation services to federal departments and agencies across the country.

Strategic outcome 3

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 3.1: 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.

Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada

Strategic outcome 1

Efficient and effective services which support tribunal chairs and members in exercising their statutory responsibilities and ensure that their independence is protected in a manner which promotes Canadians' confidence in the federal tribunal system.

Program 1.1: Tribunal Specialized and Expert Support Services

The Tribunal Specialized and Expert Support Services Program provides expert research, analysis, drafting support and advice as well as other support services including investigation and mediation to assist Tribunals in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities. These services are provided by Administrative Tribunals Support of Canada employees such as legal counsel, sectoral experts, tribunal assistants and research personnel.

Program 1.2: Payments to tribunal chairs and members

The program administers appropriations with respect to tribunal chairs' and members' salaries and other compensation pursuant to the terms of tribunals' enacting legislation and Governor-in-Council appointments.

Program 1.3: Registry Services

The Registry Services Program provides registry services in support of tribunals. The program works closely with tribunal chairs and members to ensure that matters before the tribunal can be heard and disposed of in a timely and efficient manner and within statutory obligations. Services provided include: processing tribunal documents; maintaining and safeguarding tribunal records; providing information to the public regarding tribunal procedures; assisting in the scheduling and conduct of tribunal hearings and assisting in communicating tribunal decisions to the parties and the public. Within the direction, legislative requirements and quasi-judicial principles of the tribunals they support, the Registry Services Program also is responsible for developing and monitoring many service standards, assessing the performance of registry functions and implementing required improvements.

Strategic outcome 2

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 2.1–Internal Services

Canadian Human Rights Commission

This organization has implemented the Policy on results, therefore it is reporting by core responsibility.

Core responsibility 1.1: 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 1.2: 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 1.3: 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 1.4: Internal Services

Courts Administration Service

Strategic outcome 1

The public has timely and fair access to the litigation processes of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada.

Program 1.1: Registry Services

Registry Services are delivered under the jurisdiction of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. The registries process legal documents; provide information to litigants on court procedures; maintain court records, participate in court hearings, support and assist in the enforcement of court orders, and work closely with the Office of the four Chief Justices to ensure that matters are heard, and decisions are rendered in a timely manner. Registry Services are offered in every province and territory through a network of permanent offices, and agreements with provincial and territorial partners.

Program 1.2: Judicial Services

The Judicial Services program provides legal services and judicial administrative support to assist members of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada in the discharge of their judicial functions. These services are provided by legal counsel, judicial administrators, law clerks, jurilinguists, judicial assistants, library personnel, and court attendants, under the direction of the four Chief Justices.

Strategic outcome 2

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 2.1: Internal Services

Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs

Strategic outcome 1

An independent and efficient Federal Judiciary.

Program 1.1: Payments Pursuant to the Judges Act

Payments of salaries, allowance and annuities to federally appointed judges, and their survivors, in the superior courts and courts of appeal in Canada.

Program 1.2: Federal Judicial Affairs

Provides services to federally appointed judges including compensation and pension services, financial services, information technology/information management, language training, editing of the Federal Courts Reports, services to the Minister of Justice through the Judicial Appointments Secretariat including the Supreme Court of Canada, and International Programs.

Program 1.3: Canadian Judicial Council

Delivery of programs for Canadians and administrative support to the various committees established by the Council, which is made up of all of the Chief Justices and Associate Chief Justices in Canada as well as senior judges from the superior courts in Nunavut, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

Strategic outcome 2

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 2.1: Internal Services

Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions

Strategic outcome 1

Criminal and regulatory offences under federal law are prosecuted in an independent, impartial and fair manner.

Program 1.1: Drug, National Security and Northern Prosecutions Program

This program supports the protection of Canadian society against crime through the provision of legal advice during police investigations, and the prosecution of: all drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and any related organized crime and proceeds of crime offences throughout Canada, except in Quebec and New Brunswick, where the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions prosecutes such offences only where charges are laid by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police; pursuant to understandings with the provinces, Criminal Code offences where they are related to drug charges; all Criminal Code offences in the three territories; national security and terrorism offences; and war crimes and crimes against humanity offences. This program also involves the promotion of federal-provincial-territorial cooperation on criminal justice issues of mutual concern.

Program 1.2: Regulatory Offences and Economic Crime Prosecution Program

This program supports the protection of Canadian society against crime through the provision of legal advice to police and federal investigative agencies, and the prosecution of: offences under federal statutes aimed at protecting the environment and natural resources as well as the country's economic and social health (e.g., Fisheries Act; Income Tax Act; Copyright Act; Canada Elections Act; Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; Competition Act; Customs Act; Excise Act; and the Excise Tax Act); and offences involving fraud, including capital market fraud and the corruption of foreign officials. This program also includes the recovery of outstanding federal fines and the promotion of federal-provincial-territorial cooperation on criminal justice issues of mutual concern.

Strategic outcome 2

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

Program 2.1: Compliance and Enforcement

This program supports the integrity of Canada’s electoral process by mandating the Commissioner of Canada Elections, an independent officer, to receive complaints and conduct investigations concerning potential violations under the Canada Elections Act and the Referendum Act. This program includes the use of non-punitive and informal corrective measures in response to certain situations of non-compliance and the conclusion of compliance agreements with offenders; and/or taking enforcement measures to respond to situations of non-compliance. It also includes deciding which matters will be referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions with a recommendation that charges be laid.

Strategic outcome 3

The following program supports all strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 3.1–Internal Services

Offices of the Information and Privacy Commissioners of Canada

Strategic outcome 1

The privacy rights of individuals are protected.

Program 1.1: Compliance Activities

This program oversees compliance with federal privacy legislation for public- and private‑sector organizations, thus contributing to the protection of Canadian's privacy rights. Through this program, the Office of the Privacy Commissioners investigates privacy-related complaints and responds to inquiries from individuals and organizations, reviews breach reports and has the power to initiate its own investigations when warranted (Commissioner initiated complaints). Through audits and reviews, the Office of the Privacy Commissioners also assesses how well organizations are complying with requirements set out in the two federal privacy laws, and provides recommendations on Privacy Impact Assessments, pursuant to the Treasury Board Directive on Privacy Practices. This program is supported by a legal team that provides specialized advice and litigation support, and a research team with senior technical and risk-assessment support.

Program 1.2: Research and Policy Development

This program advances privacy knowledge, develops policy positions and provides strategic advice on the full range of privacy issues to Parliamentarians, government institutions and private sector stakeholders. Through this program, the Office of the Privacy Commissioners serves as a centre of expertise on emerging privacy issues in Canada and abroad by researching trends and technological developments, monitoring and analysing legislative and regulatory initiatives, providing strategic legal, policy and technical advice on key issues, and developing policy positions that advance the protection of privacy rights in both the public and private sectors. An important part of the work involves supporting the Commissioner and senior officials in providing advice to Parliament on potential privacy implications of proposed legislation, government programs, and private-sector initiatives. Since 2004, the program includes the administration of the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act Contributions Program that funds independent privacy research and related knowledge translation initiatives, to advance knowledge and promote the practical application of that knowledge in ways that enhance privacy protection for Canadians.

Program 1.3: Public Outreach

This program promotes public awareness and understanding of rights and obligations under federal privacy legislation. Through this program, the Office of the Privacy Commissioner delivers public education and communications activities, including speaking engagements and special events, exhibiting, media relations, and the production and distribution of promotional and educational material. Through public outreach activities, individuals are informed about privacy and personal data protection. Such activities also enable federal and private-sector organizations to better understand their obligations under federal privacy legislation.

Strategic outcome 2

Rights under the Access to Information Act are safeguarded.

Program 2.1: Compliance with Access to information obligations

The Access to Information Act is the statutory authority for the oversight activities of the Information Commissioner, which are: to investigate complaints from requestors and corporations; to review the performance of government institutions; to report the results of investigations/reviews and recommendations to complainants, government institutions, and Parliament; to pursue judicial enforcement; and to provide advice to Parliament on access to information matters. The Office of the Information Commissioner supports the Commissioner in carrying out these activities.

Strategic outcome 3

The following program supports all Strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 3.1: Internal Services—Office of the Privacy Commissioner

The Internal services program supports all strategic outcomes and is common across government. Internal services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and oversight services; Communications services; Legal services; Human resources management services; Financial management services; Information management services; Information technology services; Real property services; Materiel services; Acquisition services; and Travel and other administrative services. Internal services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Program 3.2: Internal Services—Office of the Information Commissioner

Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada

Strategic outcome 1

The administration of Canada's final court of appeal is effective and independent.

Program 1.1: Court Operations

In order to render its decisions, the Court requires the support of the Office of the Registrar in the management of its caseload from the receipt of an application for leave to appeal up to and including the release of a judgment on appeal. This support includes providing services to the litigants; reviewing applications for leave to appeal and preparing advice as to whether leave to appeal should be granted; preparing summaries of the leave applications; providing procedural advice; reviewing and summarizing factums where leave to appeal is granted; receiving, controlling and preserving all incoming case documentation; tracking various time periods to ensure compliance by the parties with the Rules of the Supreme Court of Canada; recording proceedings on appeals; answering queries with regard to cases; editing and summarizing decisions of the Court; publishing decisions in the Canada Supreme Court Reports, in accordance with the Supreme Court Act; and providing law library services with an extensive collection in both print and electronic formats to support legal research undertaken by users within the Court and members of the legal community.

Program 1.2: Payments to Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada Pursuant to the Judges Act

The Judges Act is an Act respecting all federally appointed judges and thereby applies to the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada. The Judges Act specifies the salaries of the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada and prescribes other payments to be made to them, namely allowances for relocation, representation, incidentals, conferences, as well as annuities. The Office of the Registrar processes these payments, as required by the Judges Act.

Strategic outcome 2

The following program supports all Strategic outcomes within this organization.

Program 2.1: Internal Services

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Date modified:: 2018-11-06