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SECTION II - ANALYSIS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES BY STRATEGIC OUTCOME
Analysis by Program Activity
Strategic Outcome
An Independent and Efficient Federal Judiciary.
Program Activity Name: Payments pursuant to the Judges Act
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $397,971,000 | $412,185,000 | $425,944,000 |
Human Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
The number of judges are not included in the FTE count for the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (see Human Resources). The number of judicial positions are identified in the Judg es Act. As of January 1, 2008 there were 1,053 federally appointed judges in Canada and there are 777 pensioners receiving a pension pursuant to the Judges Act.
Provides for the Payments of salaries, allowances and annuities to federally appointed judges, and their survivors, in the Superior Trial Courts and Courts of Appeal in Canada.
This program activity contributes to the achievement of the Government of Canada’s “Safe and Secure Community” outcome.
Expected Results:
- Judges receive timely reimbursement of expense claims submitted;
- nformation on judges is complete and accurate; and
- Judges and pensioners receive timely compensation payments
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- % of payments made within service standards;
- % of information on judges’ files accurate;
- % of salary and pension payments issued within service standard; and
- % of judges satisfied with services.
Key Program or Service Name: Courts of Appeal in Canada
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $38,890,000 | $39,807,000 | $40,859,000 |
Provides for payment of salaries, allowances and annuities to federally appointed judges in the Courts of Appeal in Canada, and to their survivors.
The number of Court of Appeal judges appointed in Canada is legislated in the Judges Act and is also specified in the various Judicature Acts in the provinces. Appointments can only be made when vacancies occur in the various courts.
Expected Results:
- Judges receive timely reimbursement of expense claims submitted;
- Information on judges is complete and accurate; and
- Judges and pensioners receive timely compensation payments
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- % of payments made within service standards;
- % of information on judges’ files accurate;
- % of salary and pension payments issued within service standard; and
- % of judges satisfied with services.
Key Program or Service Name: Superior Trial Courts in Canada
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $359,081,000 | $372,378,000 | $385,085,000 |
Provides for payment of salaries, allowances and annuities to federally appointed judges in the Superior Trial Courts in Canada, and to their survivors.
The number of Superior Trial Court judges appointed in Canada is legislated in the Judges Act and is also specified in the various Judicature Acts in the provinces. Appointments can only be made when vacancies occur in the various courts.
Expected Results:
- Judges receive timely reimbursement of expense claims submitted;
- Information on judges is complete and accurate; and
- Judges and pensioners receive timely compensation payments
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- % of payments made within service standards;
- % of information on judges’ files accurate;
- % of salary and pension payments issued within service standard; and
- % of judges satisfied with services.
Program Activity Name: Canadian Judicial Council
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $1,683,000 | $1,683,000 | $1,683,000 |
Human Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | 8 | 8 |
Provide integrated support (administrative, secretariat, policy and legal research and advice) to the Council in support of its statutory mandate to foster the better administration of justice in Canada and serve as the body that oversees judicial conduct.
The role of the Canadian Judicial Council is to support the Council, its committees and its members in their carrying out of the Council's mandate. Such support includes the giving of advice, the implementation of decisions taken, and such administrative and executory functions as are necessary to the efficient and effective carrying out of that mandate.
This program activity contributes to the achievement of the Government of Canada’s “Safe and Secure Community” and “Government Affairs” outcomes.
Expected Results:
- Canadian Judicial Council committees receive administrative support.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- % of Canadian Judicial Council members satisfied with the administration and support to their committees.
Program Activity Name: Federal Judicial Affairs
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $8,507,000 | $8,103,000 | $8,103,000 |
Human Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| 64 | 62 | 62 |
These FTE's represent employees of the department who are responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department and provide administrative services to federally appointed judges including language training, publishing of the Federal Courts Reports, and services to the Minister of Justice through the Judicial Appointments Secretariat. Also provides support to the judiciary in the areas of finance, human resources, administration and information management.
Judges who follow the language training program will receive quality training at a reasonable cost. Important decisions of the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal will be published in the Federal Courts Reports. The Minister of Justice will have a substantial list of qualified recommended candidates for appointment to the federal judiciary in Canada. Judges will receive timely reimbursement of claims submitted, accurate salary and deductions and timely information which is pertinent to their position as judges.
This program activity contributes to the achievement of the Government of Canada’s “Safe and Secure World through International Cooperation” and “Government Affairs” outcomes.
Expected Results:
- Judges receive administrative support.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- Number of letters/feedback received from judges on their satisfaction with the services provided.
Key Program or Service Name: Services to Judges
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $4,229,300 | $3,949,300 | $3,949,300 |
The program is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs. These responsibilities include provision of direct services to the members of the judiciary and to departmental staff including finance, human resources, administration and information management.
Expected Results:
- All appointments to the judiciary are valid; and
- Judges are able to exchange e-mail reliably and securely and are able to collaborate with each other electronically.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- % of appointments to the judiciary that are valid;
- % of time system is available to users; and
- % of judges satisfied with service.
Key Program or Service Name: Judges' Language Training
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $1,690,000 | $1,690,000 | $1,690,000 |
Provides to federally appointed judges who qualify for the program, language training services in either of the official languages. The program includes intensive immersion sessions as well as private tutoring between sessions.
Expected Results:
- All federally appointed judges have timely access to high-quality, cost effective training and immersion programs.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems as well as surveying judges.
Performance Indicators:
- number of judges participating in the program;
- number of judges satisfied with quality of training; and
- wait times to access training.
Key Program or Service Name: Federal Courts Reports
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $1,071,700 | $1,071,700 | $1,071,700 |
The Federal Courts Reports were created in 1971 when the Federal Courts Act was passed. Subsection 58(2) of the Act provides that "The editor shall include in the reports only the decisions or the parts of them that, in the editor's opinion, are of sufficient significance or importance to warrant publication in the reports." The Federal Courts Reports consist of four volumes per year made up of three parts per volume with one part being published each month. In addition to publishing the Reports in bilingual paperback format, the Section, in association with the University of Montreal, makes the Reports available on the FJA web site in both official languages.
Expected Results:
- Key decisions of the Federal Court/Federal Court of Appeal are published.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems.
Performance Indicators:
- % of cases published within 8 months of issuance of decision.
Key Program or Service Name: Judicial Appointments Secretariat
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $520,000 | $520,000 | $520,000 |
The Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs has the overall responsibility for the administration of the judicial appointments process on behalf of the Minister of Justice. The Commissioner is expected to carry out his responsibilities in such a way as to ensure that the system treats all candidates for judicial office fairly and equitably. The Commissioner's responsibility is exercised directly or by his delegate, the Executive Director, Judicial Appointments. It is the Commissioner's or the Executive Director's particular responsibility, on behalf of the Minister, to ensure that all assessments are completed expeditiously and thoroughly.
Expected Results:
- Pool of candidates available for appointment to the federal judiciary.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems.
Performance Indicators:
- Number of candidates screened and eligible for appointment.
Key Program or Service Name: Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission
Financial Resources:
| 2008-2009 | 2009-2010 | 2010-2011 |
|---|---|---|
| $300,000 | $100,000 | $100,000 |
The Judicial Compensation and Benefits Commission is an independent commission appointed pursuant to section 26 of the Judges Act. This commission is made up of three members appointed by the Governor in Council, one person nominated by the judiciary, one person nominated by the Minister of Justice and one person, who shall act as Chairperson, nominated by the first two members. The commission is appointed to inquire into the adequacy of the salaries and other amounts payable under the Judges Act and into the adequacy of judges’ benefits generally.
Expected Results:
- Legislation giving effect to the recommendations of the Commission passed by Parliament.
The performance measurement strategy will include a review of internal systems.
Performance Indicators:
- Legislation receives Royal Assent.