This page has been archived.
Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.
The Service is committed to realizing the following strategic outcome:
The public has effective, timely and fair access, in either official language, to the litigation processes of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. |
The key initiatives identified hereafter which support our strategic outcome and organizational priorities are intended to ensure broader public access to the Courts,
more efficient processing of cases and more effective support to the Courts we serve, while ensuring transparency and full accountability for the use of public
funds.
As the Service is continuing the integration and transformation phases of the consolidation of the former registries of the Federal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of
Canada, its major priority for the next three years is to continue to provide high levels of service to the public with due diligence pertaining to the use of public
funds. We have undertaken the development of performance measures for each Program Activity and sub-activities. The challenges and pressures that accompany a major
organizational merger have made this exercise more complex than anticipated. Senior Management is highly committed to this Treasury Board (TB) initiative and special
attention will be given throughout the year to document the results of these key initiatives which will assist us in developing cost effective performance measures.
As well, the assessment of the Management Accountability Framework (MAF) will assist the Service in defining areas for improvements thereby strengthening our management
practices.
The Service has one business line, known as courts administration service. Its objective is to provide Canadians with the services needed to ensure accountability for the use of public money in support of the administration of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada while facilitating the public’s access to the Courts and safeguarding the principle of judicial independence. This business line is divided into three interrelated program activities: Registry Services, Judicial Services and Corporate Services.
Financial Resources:
2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 |
$40.1 million |
$36.8 million |
$36.6 million |
2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 |
427 FTE |
427 FTE |
427 FTE |
2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 |
$22.1 million |
$20.5 million |
$20.4 million |
2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | 2008-2009 |
228 FTE |
228 FTE |
228 FTE |
Program Activity Name: Corporate Services
The financial and human resources information of this program activity are incorporated with the data of the other two program activities.
Priority #1 |
With the assistance of Public Works and Government Service Canada (PWGSC), the Service will define the optimal location for accommodating the employees. Based on the current proposed options, the Registry could move as early as Fall 2006.
Harmonization of Registries
Co-location of the registry in Toronto will be completed in 2006. Cross-training of registry staff across Canada will continue in 2006-2007. As a result, all
registry officers will be in a position to better serve clients with respect to all four courts. These measures will enhance the use of our resources and provide a
common access point for the public.
Implementation of Outreach Activities
The Service will strive to ensure that the information it makes available to the public about the Courts it serves, whether via the Courts' Web sites or other
communications tools, including the publication of judgments, is coordinated effectively. In addition, the Service, in conjunction with the Courts, will continue to
use outreach activities, such as open houses, mock trials, symposium and Law Day to heighten public awareness of judicial independence.
B. Program Activity - Judicial Services
Key Initiatives
Review of Judicial Services
As part of the integration process of the Service, studies will continue in 2006-2007 to develop an understanding of the various forms of judicial services which existed
in the former registries of the Federal Court of Canada and the Tax Court of Canada. Services provided to judges, supernumerary judges, deputy judges,
prothonotaries, umpires, and assessors continue to be examined and defined. The roles of judicial administrators, judicial assistants and the law clerks are also being
studied in order to develop a greater understanding of the correlation of duties between these positions and the registry officers.
We will continue reviewing all services, such as library services, court usher services and chauffeur services provided to the judges and judicial officers of the Courts to determine how to consolidate them more effectively. This will ensure that judicial services are structured in such a way that appropriate resources are allocated according to requirements, while enhancing fiscal accountability and service delivery. This analysis is important, for without the proper type and level of timely support, judges and other judicial officers may find themselves performing some tasks that could be better delegated to qualified support staff.
Priority #2 |
Modernization of practices and procedures
In consultation with the Chief Justices, the Best Practices and Modernization Branch was created to review and modernize work processes and recommend changes to the rules
of procedure to make the delivery of our services to citizens more effective.
The business process transformation is expected to take two to three years to complete but operational improvements will be implemented as identified and approved.
The first phase of the project will include a review of business processes including the practices and procedures of all the courts with a view to modernize the tools and
approaches utilised in the delivery of our services.
The integration of the current case management systems, the introduction of additional technology in courtrooms, the modification of some rules of procedures and the
provision of timely operational training to registry staff are examples of initiatives included within the scope of this project.
Electronic Filing
Based on the successful implementation of the electronic filing pilot project for intellectual property cases, the functionality will be expanded to include other types of
cases. A committee has been established to assess the optimal implementation plan to ensure our current registry operations can accommodate further e-filing instances. A
cooperative agreement between the Service and LexisNexis Canada (service provider) is currently in place to formalize this working relationship with respect to
e-filing.
Digital Recording
Digital recording equipment has been set up in some of our courtrooms. The initial results of the pilot project are positive. As more and more courtrooms are
equipped with the new systems, the benefits will continue to accrue. The Service is developing a strategy for full deployment of this equipment in its
courtrooms. With the support of the Chief Justices, we should be in a position to complete a feasibility study, purchase the hardware and software and implement the
system in the courtrooms.
Electronic Courtrooms
Following the positive experience with the implementation of electronic courtrooms in Edmonton and Calgary and in keeping with its commitment to improve service delivery
and accessibility to court proceedings, the Service completed its planning of electronic courtrooms in Toronto. Digital recording software and electronic courtroom
display hardware and software will be made available in selected courtrooms. The judges, prothonotaries, counsel and all court staff will be able to access the
information via their own computers.
New Case Management System
The integration of the current case management systems will continue to be a priority in 2006-2007. The functionalities of the new case management system have been
identified through focus groups. Their work will serve as the foundation of the functional and system designs of the new system. A funding strategy will also
be developed to ensure additional technical expertise will be available at the development stage. A new case management system will provide the registries with the
tools required to better serve the public as well as harmonizing internal processes.
B. Program Activity - Judicial Services
Key Initiatives
Construction of the Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building (PETJB)
The Courts and the employees of the Service are currently located in seven buildings in the National Capital Region. Such distribution is inefficient and does not
meet the long-term accommodation requirements of the Courts. The consolidation of the existing Ottawa operations will reduce operating costs, improve visibility and
simplify security requirements. The Pierre Elliott Trudeau Judicial Building (PETJB) is a proposed new single-purpose courthouse facility that will house the Federal
Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, the Tax Court of Canada and the Service.
Toronto Federal Judicial Centre Project (FJC).
Another facilities-related project in which the Service is participating involves the Federal Judicial Centre (FJC) in Toronto. The FJC will be leased to the federal
government on a long-term basis to house the regional operations of the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, the Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada, the Tax Court
of Canada and the Service. Approval to proceed was obtained on January 30, 2003 and occupancy is scheduled for summer 2006. Efficiencies will be realized from
this project due to the fact that staff and courtrooms will be in a single location. Moreover, the relocation of staff will provide a single access and information
point for the public.
Vancouver Federal Judicial Centre Project (FJC)
PWGSC have advised the Service that the lease for the premises currently occupied in Vancouver will expire in December 2009. A long-term lease replacement solution is needed to house the regional operations. This will be an opportunity to enhance the security and well-being of judges and staff; and to optimize space to reduce real estate costs.
Accordingly, a new project is being put in place to:
In 2006-2007, PWGSC will complete a market survey report to identify potential lease solutions for a tender call. The report will provide the information required to complete the business case and seek authority to proceed with the project. The service will finalize its TRP and conduct a TRA. The accommodation will be planned and delivered in accordance with the new PSGSC Fit-up standards.