Department of Justice Canada

The Department of Justice Canada, also known as Justice Canada or Ministère de la Justice du Canada, is the federal department responsible for providing legal services to the Government of Canada. It advises ministers and departments on legal matters, represents the Crown in litigation, and drafts legislation and regulations. The department also develops policy related to justice, public safety, and human rights, and oversees the administration of federal courts and tribunals. Its work supports the rule of law and the functioning of Canada’s justice system.

Justice Canada operates in both official languages, delivering services in English and French to meet the linguistic requirements of the federal government. It houses the Office of the Attorney General of Canada, which gives the department a unique dual role as both a government department and the chief legal advisor to the Crown. The department’s expertise spans criminal law, civil law, international law, and Indigenous legal affairs, allowing it to address a broad spectrum of justice‑related issues. Its legislative drafting unit is responsible for turning government policy into bills that are introduced in Parliament.

Structurally, Justice Canada is a part of the Executive Branch of the Government of Canada and reports to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. It is not a separate Crown corporation but a direct department of the federal public service, with its senior officials appointed by the Governor‑in‑Council. The department’s headquarters are located in Canada, as indicated in the organisational context. In August 2020, the department experienced a cyberattack that compromised 14 ministry mailboxes and was used to distribute Emotet malware, an incident that highlighted the importance of cybersecurity within federal institutions.