Supplementary Information Tables Departmental Plan 2020-21

Operating Context

The Department's operating context is ever evolving. Demographically, Canada's society is aging, living longer and becoming more diverse. Indigenous Canadians are younger than the overall Canadian population and, while growing as a segment of the national population, are overrepresented in the criminal justice system. Family structures continue to evolve, creating increasingly complex family dynamics.

There are heightened expectations regarding public institutions and citizen engagement in Canadian society. Canadians expect an open and transparent government that swiftly and clearly responds to their needs. There are greater expectations for frequent communication and meaningful engagement with government. The growing use of social media tools by Canadians to access information and comment on a wide range of social, legal, and justice-related issues offers opportunities to engage Canadians and capture the views of community partners.

Ongoing technological advancements, especially in the sharing and management of information, make new ways of communicating and working possible. At the same time, these advances create additional demands and pressures. The latest forms of technologies are increasing the pace of change. Organizations must manage rapidly growing volumes and forms of electronic information. New legislative policy or program responses may be required to address these innovative technologies while respecting the privacy and security of Canadians.

The Department will apply a range of critical considerations to ensure strong and evidence-based public policy and good governance. These include legal risk analysis; gender and diversity considerations, such as Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+); privacy considerations; and strategic environmental assessment.

The Department will also continue to innovate and test improvements in program design and delivery. Additionally, the Department will explore opportunities to utilize emerging technologies in delivering legal services, such as the potential use of artificial intelligence and the updating of tools to manage documentary evidence.