Department of Justice Component of Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism

5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Program Design and Delivery

G&C Component

The Department of Justice provides G&C funding for anti-racism activities and projects through the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program (JPIP). Although funding criteria are very broad, take-up continues to be limited resulting in lapses in G&C funding. Efforts have been made to actively communicate (and seek proposals) and promote the G&C funding available. Continued lack of public awareness of the Department’s work pertaining to anti-racism activities and the Fund, along with administrative delays, are likely contributing factors.

Recommendation 1

It is recommended that the Department continue to ensure that a strategic and systematic approach is in place to continue soliciting proposals and communicating about the availability of the Fund, and explore alternative avenues of soliciting proposals for the Fund with a view of enhancing the effectiveness of the G&C component.

Management Response

Agreed.

Information about the Fund and funding criteria will continue to be visibly posted on the Programs Branch Website. Efforts will continue between policy lead and program designate to collaborate with applicants and to review briefing material that is submitted for approval. Additionally, a meeting will be held between the Program Coordinator, Programs Branch and senior officials to reexamine the review process for funding applications. In addition, in light of identified priorities, positive outreach measures will be taken to ensure take-up of the program.

5.2. Relevance

There was common consensus among all Department of Justice’s stakeholders interviewed that the Justice component of CAPAR is consistent with departmental and government-wide objectives and priorities. Almost all interviewees stated that CAPAR embodies the Department’s mandate and mission of ensuring that Canada is a just and law-abiding society with an accessible, efficient and fair system of justice.

Evidence-based research and statistics demonstrate that racism and discrimination do exist in Canada and the work being done by the Department, partner departments as well as community and NGO organizations demonstrates that there is a clear and continued need for initiatives to counter racism and discrimination in Canada. All interviewees agreed that there continues to be a role for the Department to play in addressing these issues. The federal government has a specific mandate to counter racism in Canada and it was felt by most interview respondents that CAPAR continues to be consistent with these federal roles and responsibilities.

Recommendation 2

It is recommended that the Department maintain a role in continuing activities that pursue the fundamental goal of equality before the law and in addressing race-based issues in the justice system, and continue to work interdepartmentally as well as in collaboration with other departments and NGOs, with the view of continuing to support and develop anti-racism and anti-hate crime initiatives.

Management Response

Agreed.

The Coordinator will continue to convene departmental meetings to discuss relevant projects and activities. The CAPAR Steering Committee that has met at least quarterly since 2006 will continue to meet as the Anti-racism Steering Committee. This fiscal year, meetings will occur in September and December 2010 and in February 2011.

The Coordinator will work with her Justice colleagues in exploring the creation of an interdepartmental working group on anti-racism. (Initial meeting on September 17, 2010 with Citizen and Immigration Canada and Justice officials).

5.3. Effectiveness

Evaluation findings from the file and document review as well as key informant interviews suggest that the Department achieved many of its short and medium-term objectives through a series of activities. Long-term objectives have been difficult to achieve and measure; however, some work being done, in particular by NGOs through CAPAR funding, can be seen as contributing to several of the long-term objectives of the Justice component of CAPAR. The initiative has seen particular success in raising awareness and understanding in the area of victims of hate crime and the overrepresentation of ethnocultural groups in the justice system, as well as race-based issues in the justice system generally. Some intended projects were not possible to implement (i.e. Internet hate) and it was noted that when the initiative was first developed, it may have taken on more than was realistically achievable. However, there is a strong desire for certain initiatives to continue and for the work to carry on.

Recommendation 3

It is recommended that the Department of Justice and members of the CAPAR Steering Committee work together to revise the strategic direction of the program, including revisiting and revising the issues/questions/indicators (as they relate to the G&C funding as this is the only funded component that will continue) and outcomes of the Department’s anti-racism/hate crimes mandate to accurately reflect the work the Department will continue to undertake in this area, with a view to providing a concrete plan and direction on how this will be done.

Management Response

Agreed.

The group that comprises the CAPAR Steering Committee will continue to meet, though its work will shift due to the official ending of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan Against Racism. A planning overview meeting occurred with the Steering Committee and discussions continue with colleagues at Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Work is continuing, particularly in the area of combating hate crime, with the Coordinator and Criminal Law Policy Section sharing obligations and co-lead status of hate crime/anti-racism work.

The work plan for O&M activities is reviewed and updated on an ongoing basis with the Director General, Strategic Initiatives and Law Reform Unit.