Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systems

Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systems The National Justice Survey (NJS) is an annual national public opinion research study conducted by Justice Canada. The survey collects information on the views, knowledge, concerns and priorities of people living in Canada on important justice-related issues. Results of the study are used to inform policy development, departmental reporting, communications and public engagement. The objective of the 2023 NJS was to collect information on the following: public awareness of restorative justice (RJ) processes, as well as opinions regarding its use public awareness of and views on the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) public perceptions about Indigenous justice systems and processes public awareness of and confidence in the criminal justice system and the civil justice system (with a focus on the family justice system) In addition to questions on the topic areas outlined above, the survey included questions on key demographic characteristics of respondents (e.g., gender, age, racialized identity, Indigenous identity). This report summarizes the findings of each of the survey topics while highlighting significant differencesFootnote1 between population groups (e.g., Indigenous respondents compared with White respondents, younger respondents compared with older respondents, men compared with women). A distinctions-based approach, where data are presented separately for First Nations and Métis respondents, is taken wherever possible. However, data for Inuit could not be reported separately due to a small sample size. Likewise, where possible, analysis was conducted for each racialized group separately. Differences between groups are only reported if they are significant; smaller sample sizes reduce the likelihood of significant effects and are a limitation of the study. Bar charts presented in this report may not total 100% for every question as the “Don’t know” response option is not displayed. 2024-02-24 Department of Justice Canada open-ouvert@tbs-sct.gc.ca Government and PoliticsLawProcessesNational Justice Survey (NJS)Public AwarenessRestorative JusticeYouth Criminal Justice ActIndigenous Justice Systems and ProcessesCriminal Justice SystemFamily Justice System Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systemsHTML https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/pccccjs-pcsjpcc/index.html Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systemsHTML https://www.justice.gc.ca/fra/pr-rp/jr/pcsjpcc-pccccjs/index.html Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systemsPDF https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/rp-pr/jr/pccccjs-pcsjpcc/pdf/RSD_2023_NJS_Research_In_Brief_EN.pdf Perceptions of and confidence in Canada’s criminal and civil justice systemsPDF https://www.justice.gc.ca/fra/pr-rp/jr/pcsjpcc-pccccjs/pdf/RSD_2023_NJS_Research_In_Brief_FR.pdf

The National Justice Survey (NJS) is an annual national public opinion research study conducted by Justice Canada. The survey collects information on the views, knowledge, concerns and priorities of people living in Canada on important justice-related issues. Results of the study are used to inform policy development, departmental reporting, communications and public engagement.

The objective of the 2023 NJS was to collect information on the following:

public awareness of restorative justice (RJ) processes, as well as opinions regarding its use public awareness of and views on the Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) public perceptions about Indigenous justice systems and processes public awareness of and confidence in the criminal justice system and the civil justice system (with a focus on the family justice system) In addition to questions on the topic areas outlined above, the survey included questions on key demographic characteristics of respondents (e.g., gender, age, racialized identity, Indigenous identity).

This report summarizes the findings of each of the survey topics while highlighting significant differencesFootnote1 between population groups (e.g., Indigenous respondents compared with White respondents, younger respondents compared with older respondents, men compared with women). A distinctions-based approach, where data are presented separately for First Nations and Métis respondents, is taken wherever possible. However, data for Inuit could not be reported separately due to a small sample size. Likewise, where possible, analysis was conducted for each racialized group separately. Differences between groups are only reported if they are significant; smaller sample sizes reduce the likelihood of significant effects and are a limitation of the study. Bar charts presented in this report may not total 100% for every question as the “Don’t know” response option is not displayed.

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