Department of Justice (DOJ)

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 draft and reform laws as needed. At the same time, it acts as the government’s legal adviser, providing legal counsel and support, and representing the Government of Canada in court.

The Department’s responsibilities reflect the double role of the Minister of Justice, who is also by law the Attorney General of Canada: in general terms, the Minister is concerned with the administration of justice, including policy in such areas as criminal law, family law, human rights law, and Aboriginal justice; the Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Crown, responsible for conducting all litigation for the federal government.

The Department’s work and operations are managed by the Deputy Minister, who meets regularly with the Minister to discuss policy and emerging issues. Just as the Minister of Justice is also the Attorney General of Canada, the Deputy Minister of Justice is also the Deputy Attorney General. As the Department’s senior public servant, the Deputy Minister works with a team of Associate Deputy Ministers who share the Deputy’s functions and handle issues requiring immediate attention. The team, in turn, draws on the extensive accumulated knowledge and skills of the Department as a whole.