Justice results 2015-2019

Real impacts in Communities.

Real results for Canadians.

The Department of Justice is committed to achieving meaningful results for Canadians by delivering high-quality programs, policies, and legal services.

Timeline highlights

2015

National inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls

The Government launched an independent National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and provided its final report in June 2019.

2016

Supporting informed end of life decision-making

Medical Assistance in Dying legislation became law on June 17, 2016. The law ensures personal autonomy for those seeking access to medically assisted dying while also protecting the vulnerable.

2017

Strengthening legal protections for transgender and gender-diverse Canadians

The Government strengthened legal protections for transgender and gender-diverse Canadians on October 18, 2016, by including gender identity and expression in sections of the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code. #freetobeme

Modernizing the Court Challenges Program

In partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage, we have acted to reinstate a modernized Court Challenges Program, which increases protection for human rights and official language rights.

2018

Legalization of cannabis

The Cannabis Act was passed in Parliament on June 21, 2018, and became law on October 17, 2018. The Act creates a strict legal framework for controlling the production, distribution, sale, and possession of cannabis across Canada.

Updating impaired driving laws

Companion legislation to the Cannabis Act strengthened impaired driving laws. The changes are one of the most significant reforms to the transportation provisions of the Criminal Code in more than 40 years.

Mandatory charter statements

On December 13, 2018, a law was passed to introduce a statutory duty on the Minister of Justice to table a Charter Statement for every government bill (Bill C-51).

Clarifying sexual assault law

Bill C-51 also clarified certain aspects of sexual assault law.

2019

Expanding unified family courts

The Department supported the expansion of Unified Family Courts in Canada, funding the creation of 39 new judicial positions across the country.

Monitoring the criminal justice system performance

The State of the Criminal Justice System Report and Dashboard launched the first-ever performance monitoring framework for Canada’s criminal justice system. This work is part of our commitment to review the criminal justice system and our broader efforts to identify and address data gaps that hinder evidence-based decision making. We are also delivering on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission ’s Call to Action 30 in a way that is open and transparent.

Judicial appointments

The Minister of Justice has made over 300 judicial appointments since November 2015.