Implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act

Justice Canada

The Department of Justice works to ensure that Canada's justice system is as fair, accessible and efficient as possible. The Department helps the federal government to develop policy and to make and reform laws as needed.

• Department's mission
• Constitution Act, 1982

The Department has in fact two distinct responsibilities:

1. Legal Advisor

In support of the role of Attorney General of Canada, the Department acts as the government's attorney by providing legal opinions, by initiating legal proceedings in matters relating to federal laws, and by representing the Canadian government before the courts. The Department thus serves Canadians indirectly by acting as the government's legal firm rather than taking care of citizens' personal or individual business directly.

2. Responsible of policies and laws

In support of the role of the Department of Justice Canada, the Department is responsible for policy matters as they relate to the justice system and for legislation drafting and reform.

Department's responsibilities relating to sections 41 and 42 of the Official Languages Act.

Under the Accountability Framework adopted by Cabinet in 1994 for the implementation of sections 41 and 42 of the Official Languages Act, the Department of Justice must submit an annual or multi-year action plan to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. This plan must be based on consultations with Official Language Minority Communities in order to take into account their priorities, within the context of the Department's mandate. It must spell out the activities planned and the desired outcomes in order to reach the goals established by the Department. An annual Status Report must also be tabled with Canadian Heritage.

The Department has developed two distinct, interrelated and parallel components for the implementation of section 41 of the OLA.

Community Component

This component deals more specifically with the needs of the Official Language Minority Communities concerning access to the Departmental programs as well as the participation of these groups in the development of the departmental policies.

Access to Justice Component

This component specifically targets the subject of access to justice in both official languages. The Government Action Plan for Official Languages introduces the strategic axes in that area (section 4.2.3, p.45)

Others links

• The department of Justice Canada and the Government Action Plan for Official Languages
• The Strategic Plan for the Implementation of section 41 of the OLA — targeted programs
• The department of Justice's other programs
• The department's different players and the Official Languages Act
• Official Language Minority Communities consultations
  • Advisory Committee, Justice in Official Languages
  • Advisory Sub-Committee, Access to Justice in Both Official Languages
  • Advisory Sub-Committee, Implementation of section 41 of the Official Languages Act
  • Federal-Provincial-Territorial (f-p-t) Working Group on Access to Justice in Both Official Languages