Methodology and approach
Preparation of this annual report builds on the feedback we received from Indigenous partners on last year’s draft report. We heard from partners that there was not enough information in the report to really understand how implementation is progressing. Between July and December 2024, we met with partners on what information we should be collecting to report meaningfully on progress. We heard that it was necessary to have more narrative information about what was happening, how and with whom consultation and cooperation occurred, and the necessity for reporting to balance the federal government and Indigenous peoples’ views on progress.
At the same time, a federal interdepartmental committee worked to develop a robust questionnaire to capture both internal and public reporting needs. Government departments developed the questionnaire over the summer of 2024, and we sought feedback from federal departments and Indigenous partners between October and December 2024. Refinements to the Indigenous partner questionnaire took place via discussions with Indigenous partners during this period. Unlike in previous years, the questionnaire contained a section where partners could speak directly to their engagement in advancing Action Plan Measures (APMs). We hope and believe that the changes made to the annual reporting process this year allow us to develop and present a better update on progress.
Indigenous partners also discussed the best ways to reflect their perspectives. Indigenous partners provided input in various forms (written or verbal) and in the format of their choosing, such as questionnaire, e-mail, Word, PDF or during a virtual meeting. Several partners noted that timelines were too short last year to fully engage. In response, the 2025 call for input was launched earlier, on January 9, 2025, with deadline of April 8, 2025, allowing partners 3 months to provide their input compared to 3 weeks last year. Over that time, we met with or received submissions from 58 Indigenous partners (Annex A: List of Indigenous partners who provided input). We acknowledge partners’ concerns in relation to the amount of time to review the draft report, noting that delays due to the 2025 federal election affected time available to review and provide comments on the draft report itself.
Consistent with efforts by Justice Canada to enable its digital and data capabilities, for the first time, the department also piloted the use of an artificial intelligence (AI) tool called OTTO to compile and synthesize the questionnaires. With the use of OTTO, we were able to easily highlight common themes and summarize a large volume of text. Although OTTO supported the work, Justice Canada officials read and analyzed every submission and reviewed all generated content to identify and correct any discrepancies. In our consultations, meetings and messages to partners, we were transparent about the use of OTTO and indicated that their information would be used for the purposes of drafting this Annual Report and not to train the AI tool nor for other unrelated purposes in respect of Indigenous data sovereignty.
Department of Justice Canada
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