Undertake modernization efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice system.

What success looks like

Canadians are kept safer and offenders are held to account, the system shows greater compassion for victims, the needs of vulnerable populations are addressed and the criminal justice system is more efficient.

Government's narrative on progress

On March 29, 2018, the government tabled legislation to improve efficiencies in the criminal justice system and reduce court delays in six key areas: • modernize and streamline the bail regime; • enhance the approach to administration of justice offences, including for youth; • restrict the availability of preliminary inquiries to offences carrying life imprisonment; • reclassify some offences to provide greater flexibility and court efficiencies; • improve the jury composition and selection process; and, • strengthen case management measures and processes for making rules of court. A number of these reforms will respond to victims and the needs of vulnerable populations, for instance, by providing better protection for victims of intimate partner violence; preventing victims from having to testify twice; and, by providing that circumstances of the accused, in particular Indigenous accused and accused persons from vulnerable populations, are considered at bail, and in determining how to address a breach of condition. On December 13, 2018, a second piece of government legislation, aimed at modernizing the criminal justice system, received Royal Assent. These reforms, which came into force on that date, repealed a number of outdated or obsolete *Criminal Code* provisions, and expanded protections for victims of sexual assault. In particular, the legislation clarifies the law of consent, expands the *Criminal Code’*s “rape shield” provisions, and provides complainants with a right to counsel during rape shield proceedings. To enhance access to justice and improve outcomes for a significant number of Canadian families, Budget 2018 proposed to provide $77.2 million over four years, starting in 2019-2020, and $20.8 million per year ongoing to support the creation and expansion of Unified Family Courts in Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Further to this funding announcement, the necessary amendments to the *Judges Act* to create the new judicial positions were included in the *Budget Implementation Act*, 2018, No.1. Implementation planning for the new Unified Family Courts sites is underway in anticipation of these amendments coming into force on April 1, 2019. As a further significant family law initiative, on May 22, 2018, the Government of Canada introduced new legislation (Bill C-78) to make federal family laws more responsive to Canadian families’ needs. The proposed legislation is designed to meet four key objectives: • promote the best interests of the child; • address family violence; • help to reduce child poverty; and • make Canada’s family justice system more accessible and efficient. Budget 2019 proposed to further support the access to family justice in both official languages by providing $21.6 million over five years, starting in 2020–21, to support legislative amendments that provide for increased access to family justice, and divorce in particular, in the official language of one’s choice.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.