Department of Justice Canada

Restorative Justice (RJ) is an approach to justice that focuses on addressing the harm caused by crime while holding the offender responsible for his or her actions, by providing an opportunity for those directly affected by crime – victims, offenders and communities – to identify and address...

A forward regulatory plan is a public list or description of anticipated regulatory changes or actions that a department intends to bring forward or undertake in a specified time frame. It is intended to give consumers, business, other stakeholders and trading partners greater opportunity to...

Most Canadians feel that sentencing guidelines are the best way to ensure a fair sentence and they believe that sentencing would be more consistent with such guidelines. Many Canadians also believe that Canada should consider having a sentencing commission, and that most important activity of...

This fact sheet is based on two Canadian publications from 2005 and 2010, publicly available and special request data from the Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics at Statistics Canada, and internal research reports prepared by Justice Canada. A preliminary inquiry is a judicial hearing that is...

This comprehensive review – the first of its kind since 1982 – was intended to guide the Government in its efforts to ensure that Canada’s criminal justice system is just, compassionate and fair; that it promotes a safe, peaceful and prosperous society; and that it accurately reflects the values...

The focus of this report is on outlining some of the key findings from the body of knowledge of neuroscience, and applying them to the issue of sexual assault and its impacts on victims. More specifically, we review and highlight some of the significant developments, which have emerged from the...

The Legal Aid Survey was a Canada Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS)/Statistics Canada annual survey on revenues. Expenditures, personnel, and caseload statistics associated with the administration and delivery of legal aid in Canada. The Legal Aid Survey was first conducted in1983-84, and the...

The Legal Aid Survey was a Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (CCJS)/Statistics Canada annual survey on revenues, expenditures, personnel, and caseload statistics associated with the administration and delivery of legal aid in Canada. The Legal Aid Survey was first conducted in 1983-84 and...

From 2016 to 2019, the Department of Justice Canada reached out to young Canadians for their views on justice issues. The youth selected for these youth engagement projects were not provided with specialized training or information, but their opinions and perspectives on justice issues can inform...

Section 4.2 of the Department of Justice Act requires the Minister of Justice to prepare a Charter Statement for every government bill to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on government bills. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for...

The Department of Justice Canada’s Transition Book speaks to the three distinctive roles played by the Department. The department’s roles are to act as: policy department with broad responsibilities for overseeing all matters relating to the administration of justice that fall within the federal...

Indigenous people are overrepresented in Canada's criminal justice system as both victims and offenders. National data on Indigenous people in the criminal justice system includes data on self-reported victimization , police-reported homicide, and provincial/territorial and federal custody. In...

This report summarizes discussions held during the roundtables. It highlights best practices, challenges and suggested improvements. It highlights best practices, challenges and suggested improvements. This report does not necessarily reflect the views of the Government of Canada. The purpose...

The Minister of Justice prepares a “Charter Statement” to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on a government bill. One of the Minister of Justice’s most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for consistency with the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms (“the Charter”)....

This paper provides an overview of the Supreme Court of Canada's findings in its December 20, 2013 Bedford decisions and explains the basis for the Government's legislative response: Bill C-36, the Protection of Communities and Exploited Persons Act, which received Royal Assent on November 6,...

The Department of Justice has prepared this "Statement of Potential Charter Impacts" to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on Bill C-16, An Act to Amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code. The Statement is also intended to promote greater transparency and understanding...

The Minister has reviewed Bill C-14 for compliance with the Constitution, including the Charter in accordance with her obligations under section 4.1 of the Department of Justice Act. This review is included consideration of, amongst other thing, the objectives and features of the Bill as...

The Minister of Justice has prepared this "Charter Statement' to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on Bill C-32, An Act related to the repeal of section 159 of the Criminal Code. One of the Minister of Justice's most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for consistency...

The views expressed in this report are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the Department of Justice Canada. This paper examines three questions – what is an “honour killing”, in order to establish the definition used in the paper; where does it occur, looking at...

The Minister of Justice has prepared this "Charter Statement" to help inform public and Parliamentary debate on Bill C-28, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (victim surcharge). One of the Minister of Justice's most important responsibilities is to examine legislation for consistency with the...