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Behold...2003-2004 EstimatesClick here to read the full reportMinister’s Message In the coming year, the Department of Justice will continue to provide a fair, accessible and responsive system for all Canadians. To ensure that the Canadian justice system is as fair and efficient as possible, we are working more closely with partners at all levels of government and beyond – with community and business leaders, with academics and other experts, and directly with the Canadian public. We are also collaborating with other countries’ governments to effectively address global justice issues and transnational crimes. In this planning period the Department will be focusing on three particular areas: ensuring safe and secure communities, providing accessible and inclusive justice for all Canadians, and improving governance. Last year, we supported detection and early action on suspected terrorist activities. We are now looking at substantial changes to the Criminal Code to promote community safety and to protect the most vulnerable members of our society, especially our children. We are also increasing help to many communities to develop the tools they need to improve their own safety and security. Canadians want a legal system that operates fairly and is available to all members of our society when they need it. The Department and its partners have taken important steps to enable Canadians to have access to justice in the official language of their choice. We now face the considerable challenge of extending this access to all communities across Canada. At the same time, we will continue our efforts to respond to the needs of families in crisis, to victims of crime, to the unique needs of our Aboriginal people, and to financially disadvantaged Canadians who count on the support of legal aid services. My Department is working closely with its provincial and territorial partners to assess legal aid needs and to develop a renewal strategy to address these needs. Finally, it is clear that Canadians want to be more involved in the governance of the justice system and its affects on their daily lives. They want to participate in the processes that lead to policy decisions on such fundamental social issues as same-sex marriage, and protection of personal information. Canadians want – and deserve – an effective justice system that reflects Canadian values, while balancing individual rights with the interests of society. I am committed to provide such a system to our citizens while ensuring that my Department is accountable for its allocated resources and that these resources are used responsibly, efficiently and are focused on priorities that make the most difference in the management of Canada’s justice system. Martin Cauchon Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Click here to read the full report Youth Criminal Justice Act |
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