Canada News Centre2026-05-08T10:21:30-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/news.htmlhttps://www.canada.ca/etc/designs/canada/wet-boew/assets/wmms-blk.svghttps://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2026/03/new-funding-under-canadas-black-justice-strategy-for-culturally-grounded-community-led-supports-and-services.html

As part of the implementation of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing over $8.6 million in funding over two years (2025-2027) for community organizations to develop culturally-responsive, supports and services for Black youth, victims and survivors of crime, and individuals navigating the criminal justice system

Department of Justice Canada2026-04-24T10:12:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2025/07/the-honourable-maria-v-carroccias-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2025-07-16T19:39:53-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2025/03/un-declaration-act-action-plan-advisory-committee.html

The Indigenous-led, independent Action Plan Advisory Committee (APAC) will provide advice on the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UN Declaration Act) Action Plan.

Department of Justice Canada2025-03-21T11:00:23-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2024/11/s-13-royal-assent-upholding-section-35-rights-through-a-non-derogation-clause-in-the-federal-interpretation-act.html

On November 27, 2024, Bill S-13, An Act to amend the Interpretation Act and to make related amendments to other Acts, received Royal Assent and immediately came into force. This legislation adds a standardized non-derogation clause (NDC) to the federal Interpretation Act.

Department of Justice Canada2024-11-27T15:16:45-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/11/the-honourable-darlene-l-summerss-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2023-11-21T11:13:02-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/10/the-honourable-phuong-tv-ngos-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2023-10-25T14:54:11-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/05/new-funding-to-support-families-of-missing-and-murdered-indigenous-people-and-indigenous-victims-and-survivors-of-crime.html

New funding to support families of missing and murdered Indigenous people and Indigenous victims and survivors of crime

Department of Justice Canada2023-05-29T09:49:56-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/04/proposed-changes-to-the-criminal-code-and-the-sex-offender-information-registration-act.html

Proposed changes to the Criminal Code and the Sex Offender Information Registration Act

Department of Justice Canada2023-04-26T14:24:09-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/01/addressing-the-overrepresentation-of-indigenous-people-in-the-justice-system-in-nunatsiavut.html

On January 19, 2023, the Government of Canada announced over $1.16 million in federal funding through Justice Canada’s Indigenous Justice Program to the Nunatsiavut Government. These investments will help address the overrepresentation of Inuit in the justice system within the Labrador Inuit Settlement Area.

Department of Justice Canada2023-01-19T11:23:01-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2023/01/addressing-systemic-discrimination-and-overrepresentation-of-metis-people-in-the-justice-system.html

On January 12, 2023, the Government of Canada announced $1.5 million over three years in total funding to support Métis-led engagement to inform the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Department of Justice Canada2023-01-12T09:53:22-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/11/addressing-systemic-racism-budget-2021-budget-2022-and-fall-economic-statement-2020-support-for-criminal-justice-reform.html

In consultation and cooperation with Indigenous and provincial and territorial partners, Justice Canada is developing an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous people in the justice system.

Department of Justice Canada2022-11-18T09:32:09-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/10/addressing-the-overrepresentation-of-red-river-metis-people-in-the-justice-system-in-manitoba0.html

On October 11, 2022, the Government of Canada announced a total of over $1.68 million over five years in funding to the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF).

Department of Justice Canada2022-10-11T13:36:32-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/08/minister-of-justice-national-youth-justice-policing-award.html

The recipients of the 2022 Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Award are Sergeant Kendall Booth of the Edmonton Police Service, Leeanne Harvey, Youth Programs Coordinator of the Edmonton Police Service, and Michael Peters, Program Manager of YMCA of Northern Alberta for their DIVERSIONfirst Program.

Department of Justice Canada2022-08-26T11:31:43-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/06/mandate-of-the-independent-special-interlocutor-for-missing-children-and-unmarked-graves-and-burial-sites-associated-with-indian-residential-schools.html

On June 8, 2022, Kimberly Murray was appointed as Independent Special Interlocutor for Missing Children and Unmarked Graves and Burial Sites associated with Indian Residential Schools.

Department of Justice Canada2022-06-08T10:13:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/06/the-honourable-paul-favels-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire. The questionnaires are then used by the Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada to review candidates and submit a list of “highly recommended” and “recommended” candidates for consideration by the Minister of Justice. Candidates are advised that parts of their questionnaire may be made available to the public, with their consent, should they be appointed to the bench. The information is published as it was submitted by the candidates at the time they applied, subject to editing where necessary for privacy reasons.

Department of Justice Canada2022-06-06T09:59:38-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/05/the-honourable-cynthia-petersens-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2022-05-30T13:00:18-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/05/the-honourable-jill-miriam-copelands-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2022-05-30T09:00:11-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/04/memoranda-of-understanding-between-the-canadian-judicial-council-and-the-government-of-canada.html

On April 28, 2022, the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada and Chairperson of the Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) together with the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

Department of Justice Canada2022-04-28T15:18:23-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/03/the-honourable-renu-mandhanes-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2022-03-28T13:08:20-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/03/amendments-to-the-criminal-code-amnesty-order-related-to-the-may-1-2020-ban-on-assault-style-firearms.html

On May 1, 2020, the Government of Canada banned over 1,500 models and variants of assault-style firearms and some of their components and made an accompanying two year Amnesty Order.

Department of Justice Canada2022-03-16T12:47:13-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2022/02/canadas-emergencies-act.html

Canada’s Emergencies Act

Department of Justice Canada2022-02-25T12:52:41-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/12/mandatory-minimum-penalties-and-the-courts.html

In support of the Government’s commitment to reintroduce former Bill C-22 within the first 100 days of its mandate, on December 7, 2021, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, introduced Bill C-XX, which would amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

Department of Justice Canada2022-04-14T09:25:05-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/12/promoting-health-responses-to-simple-drug-possession.html

Social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical inequities contribute to the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians and members of marginalized populations, including those living with substance use and mental health challenges in the criminal justice system.

Department of Justice Canada2021-12-07T10:23:40-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/12/mandatory-minimum-penalties-to-be-repealed.html

The Government recognizes that there is systemic racism in Canada’s criminal justice system. We have heard Canadians, the courts and criminal justice experts, and seen the evidence of the disproportionate representation of Indigenous peoples, as well as Black Canadians and members of marginalized communities, both as offenders and as victims.

Department of Justice Canada2021-12-07T10:35:33-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/12/addressing-systemic-racism-budget-2021-and-fall-economic-statement-2020-support-for-criminal-justice-reform.html

Budget 2021 proposed to provide $74.8 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to improve access to justice for Indigenous peoples and support the development of an Indigenous Justice Strategy to address systemic discrimination and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the justice system.

Department of Justice Canada2021-12-07T10:23:24-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/08/backgrounder-special-interlocutor-on-indian-residential-schools-irs-unmarked-burial-sites.html

The identification of unmarked and undocumented graves and burial sites at residential schools has brought to public consciousness the depth of pain and sense of injustice felt by Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Department of Justice Canada2021-08-10T09:00:10-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/06/addressing-systemic-racism-against-indigenous-peoples-in-the-justice-system-government-of-canada-investments-and-initiatives.html

The Government of Canada is taking action to address the systemic racism and systemic barriers faced by Indigneous peoples in Canada’s legal system. The following initiatives and investments would help support the Government of Canada’s ongoing efforts to advance reconciliation and address the systemic factors that contribute the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the justice system.

Department of Justice Canada2021-06-30T14:14:21-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/06/the-honourable-sebastien-grammond-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process established by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for appointment to the federal judiciary by completing a questionnaire to that effect. The questionnaires are then used by the Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada to review candidates and submit a list of “highly recommended” and “recommended” individuals for consideration by the Minister of Justice. Candidates are advised that parts of their questionnaire could be made available to the public, with their consent, should they be appointed to the bench. The information is published as it was submitted by the candidates at the time they applied, subject to editing where necessary for privacy reasons.

Department of Justice Canada2021-06-08T10:44:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/05/revitalization-of-indigenous-laws-across-canada.html

Budget 2019 announced $10 million over five years to support renewed legal relationships with Indigenous peoples through the funding of Indigenous law initiatives across Canada. This announcement responds to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action (CTA) 50, which calls upon the federal government, in collaboration with Indigenous organizations, to fund the establishment of Indigenous law institutes for the development, use and understanding of Indigenous laws and access to justice in accordance with the unique cultures of Indigenous peoples in Canada.

Department of Justice Canada2021-05-17T10:47:19-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/05/the-honourable-mahmud-jamals-questionnaire.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire. The questionnaires are then used by the Judicial Advisory Committees across Canada to review candidates and submit a list of “highly recommended” and “recommended” candidates for consideration by the Minister of Justice. Candidates are advised that parts of their questionnaire may be made available to the public, with their consent, should they be appointed to the bench. The information is published as it was submitted by the candidates at the time they applied, subject to editing where necessary for privacy reasons.

Department of Justice Canada2021-05-07T08:04:20-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/04/the-honourable-michelle-obonsawins-questionnaire0.html

Under the new judicial application process introduced by the Minister of Justice on October 20, 2016, any interested and qualified Canadian lawyer or judge may apply for federal judicial appointment by completing a questionnaire.

Department of Justice Canada2021-04-15T11:38:30-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2021/03/appointment-of-independent-consultants-for-the-creation-of-a-criminal-case-review-commission.html

Appointment of independent consultants for the creation of a criminal case review commission

Department of Justice Canada2021-03-31T15:12:37-04:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/11/proposed-changes-to-canadas-criminal-code-relating-to-sports-betting.html

On November 26, 2020, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada introduced a bill that proposes to decriminalize single event sport betting. Single event sport betting is placing a bet on the outcome of one single sporting game.

Department of Justice Canada2020-11-26T10:12:09-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/11/backgrounder--information-on-organizations-receiving-restorative-justice-funding.html

In recognition of Restorative Justice Week, the Department of Justice is highlighting 12 programs or initiatives related to restorative justice.

Department of Justice Canada2020-11-18T11:01:29-05:00https://www.canada.ca/en/department-justice/news/2020/10/quotes-from-the-cac-initiative-recipients.html

Child Advocacy Centres’ provide a coordinated approach to addressing the needs of child and youth victims and/or witnesses in the criminal justice system, thereby minimizing system-induced trauma. The CACs/CYACs provide a single, child friendly setting for young victims or witnesses and their families seeking services. These projects aim to support these Centres to adapt their services to meet the diverse needs arising from the COVID 19 pandemic.

Department of Justice Canada2020-10-15T10:35:49-04:00