Introduction

1.1 Purpose of the Evaluation

This report presents the results of the evaluation of the JPIP. The evaluation was conducted in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Results (2016)Footnote1, which requires departments to measure and evaluate performance and use the resulting information to manage and improve programs, policies and services. The evaluation was undertaken by the Department of Justice Canada’s (Justice Canada) Evaluation Branch between October 2022 and April 2023, as per Justice Canada’s Internal Audit and Evaluation Plan.

1.2 Evaluation Scope

The objective of the evaluation was to examine the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of the JPIP. In addition, it provides a forward-looking analysis that focuses on Program strengths, challenges, best practices identified in other similar programs at the federal level, and opportunities at different levels. Topics such as the implementation of new program components and increased funding, and the incorporation of GBA Plus considerations were explored to support JPIP decision makers going forward. The evaluation covered five FYs, from 2017-18 to 2021-22.

The evaluation encompassed the majority of JPIP components, including Family Justice Support, Family Violence, Revitalization of Indigenous Laws – Call to Action 50 (CTA 50), Independent Legal Advice/Representation, Violence Against Aboriginal Women and Girls (now ended), PLEI and the JPIP General component. In addition, while not funded through the JPIP, the PLEI component of the Access to Justice Agreements (AJAs) with the territories was also included in this evaluation scopeFootnote2. Each territory administers its own PLEI funding differently, including direct funding to PLEI-focused organizations and general funding for PLEI resource development by various players.

The Workplace Sexual Harassment component of the Program is not included in this evaluation as it was assessed separately through Justice Canada’s Evaluation of Legal Support and Awareness to Address Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, which is planned for completion in 2023-24. The evaluation of the JPIP also excludes the assessed contributions for participation in the UN bodies, as the assessed contributions for the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law and the Hague Conference on Private International Law were assessed as part of the 2016-17 JPIP evaluation.

As limited data on the early impacts of the CTA 50 projects were gathered at the time of the evaluation, the focus was on identifying challenges and opportunities associated with the implementation of this program component.

The scope and conduct of the evaluation were informed by an Evaluation Working Group which included representatives in Justice Canada from the Innovations, Analysis, and Integration Directorate within the Programs Branch.