Annual Report 2004-2005 Saskatchewan Justice

Annual Report 2004-2005 Saskatchewan Justice Table of Contents Letters of Transmittal . 3 Who we are . 4 2004-2005 Fiscal Year Results . 7 Results at a Glance . 7 Performance Results . 10 Financial Results – Expenditures . 36 Financial Results – Revenue . 38 Where to Obtain Additional Information . 39 Appendix A: Organizational Chart . 41 Appendix B: Boards and Commissions . 42 Appendix C: Queen’s Printer Revolving Fund and Victims Services . 46 This annual report is also available in electronic form from the Department’s web site at www.saskjustice.gov.sk.ca. 1 2 Letters of Transmittal Her Honour the Honourable Dr. Lynda M. Haverstock Lieutenant Governor of Saskatchewan May It Please Your Honour: I respectfully submit the Annual Report of the Department of Justice for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. The Honourable Frank Quennell, Q.C. Minister of Justice and Attorney General The Honourable Frank Quennell, Q.C. Minister of Justice and Attorney General Dear Sir: I have the honour of submitting the Annual Report of the Department of Justice for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2005. Doug Moen, Q.C. Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General 3 Who we are Vision the development and delivery of community-based justice initiatives, co-ordinates Aboriginal and The vision of Saskatchewan Justice is “A fair, northern justice initiatives and funds the Aboriginal equitable and safe society supported by a justice Courtworker program, the Police Commission and system that is trusted and understood.” the Police Complaints Investigator. It also provides provincial policing services under contract with the Mandate Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), regulates the private security industry, provides for coroners’ The mandate of Saskatchewan Justice flows from investigations, and conducts investigations of the historic and constitutional role of the Attorney residential and commercial properties being used General to uphold the rule of law1, protect basic for illegal activities. legal rights of citizens, and ensure good and proper administration of justice. Effective justice The Division is also home to a unique set of services contribute to social stability, and by Aboriginal initiatives made possible by funding extension, to a high quality of life for citizens. innovative partnerships with Aboriginal Justice services must reflect the norms of the organizations and the federal government. community and support a sound, healthy society. These programs respect Aboriginal values and traditions and provide employment opportunities Service delivery system for Aboriginal people. Saskatchewan Justice has about 900 employees Public Prosecutions Division across the Province. Department employees work with other departments, governments and The Public Prosecutions Division represents the community partners to administer and deliver interests of the general public in the criminal justice, protect basic legal rights and relationships, justice system. It provides legal advice to and provide other justice functions, such as Government and numerous law enforcement producing legal publications and developing agencies. Prosecutors assess investigation results alternative mechanisms to resolve disputes. to determine whether there is sufficient evidence to prosecute a violation of the law and whether Department activities are organized into six main the public interest in that prosecution justifies the divisions: Community Justice, Public Prosecutions, expenditure of public funds. Public Prosecutions Courts and Civil Justice, Civil Law, Public Law, and Division also has a substantial role in training law Finance and Administration. A brief description of enforcement officials, such as police. each of these areas follows. More information is available on the Saskatchewan Justice web site at Courts and Civil Justice Division www.saskjustice.gov.sk.ca. The Courts and Civil Justice Division provides The Departments of Justice and Corrections and judicial and operational support to the court Public Safety share the services of four branches: system, produces transcripts and provides Communications and Public Education, enforcement services for legal judgments through Administrative Services, Systems Services the Sheriff’s Office. It provides maintenance and Human Resources. enforcement and other family justice services to assist parents and children deal with the Community Justice Division difficulties of family breakdown. The Division licenses Commissioners of Oaths, Notaries Public The Community Justice Division includes Law and Marriage Commissioners. It also provides Enforcement Services, Community Services, dispute resolution services to assist in resolving Victims Services, and Aboriginal and Northern disputes outside the court system and protects Justice Initiatives. It provides alternative measures the interests of people who do not have the and crime prevention programs that respond to capacity to manage their own financial affairs. As the needs of communities for increased safety and well, it supports economic well-being through the greater involvement in justice services. It supports provision of corporate registry services. 1 In general terms, the rule of law means that the Government and all citizens are subject to the law and must operate according to its terms. 4 Civil Law Division approaches in situations where the offender can be effectively dealt with in the community; The Civil Law Division provides legal services to the departments, agencies, boards and commissions • Provides effective mechanisms for resolving of the Government of Saskatchewan. social conflict to ensure that people do not turn to socially destructive ways of dealing Public Law Division with their issues; The Public Law Division provides legal services to • Responds to the legal and social needs of Government, including advice on Aboriginal, trade people, particularly those in vulnerable law and constitutional matters, and legal, policy circumstances and those involved in family and technical advice in relation to legislation. disputes; Through the Queen’s Printer, it publishes and distributes legislation, regulations and other • Plays a key regulatory function in the government publications. marketplace to safeguard consumer and public interests and support economic well-being; and Finance and Administration Division • Provides legal and policy services to The Finance and Administration Division provides Government, including serving as the administrative services to senior management Government’s official legal advisor and and operational areas of the Department through representing the Government before courts and the following branches that are shared with the tribunals, as well as advising departments and Department of Corrections and Public Safety: agencies about developing legislative proposals Administrative Services, Human Resources, and drafting all legislative instruments. and Systems Services. These support services are also provided to a number of boards and Key Partners commissions assigned to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General. To achieve its vision and the outcomes identified in its plan, Justice works with key partners – some Responsibility for the Consumer Protection represent justice system components; some Branch also lies within this Division. This Branch deliver community-based justice services; and is a regulatory body that grants licenses, regulates some assist in policy and legislative development market conduct, investigates complaints, answers and implementation. All have an impact on the inquiries and oversees the regulation of the death extent to which Justice is able to achieve its services industry through an industry self- goals, objectives and outcomes. regulatory body. The major activity within the Branch is to provide information and direction to The following organizations play a critical role in the public and businesses to assist in dealing with shaping the criminal justice system of the future. problems encountered in the marketplace. It also These partners have an impact on the extent to acts directly for members of the public unable to which the Department is able to meet its criminal protect themselves. justice performance measures, particularly those under Goal 1: Safe Communities, and Goal 2: In Summary Aboriginal Justice: Together, the Divisions of the Department work • Police and the Saskatchewan Legal Aid with Saskatchewan Justice stakeholders and Commission partner with the Department2 in partners to ensure the justice system: criminal justice system delivery, but are formally independent. The Department also provides • Effectively enforces criminal law (Criminal funding to victim services programs that are Code, Youth Criminal Justice Act and provincial affiliated with police services and support statutes), including the need to be tough on victims during the criminal justice process and serious crime and the need for integrated Aboriginal courtworkers who work for Aboriginal 2 The Department also works closely with the judiciary, but there is a constitutional separation between executive government and the judiciary, and the judiciary is independent of Government. 5 organizations and support Aboriginal offenders during the court process. • Community-based organizations, including Aboriginal communities and organizations, deliver a wide range of services, such as community justice programs, alternative measures, First Nations policing, Aboriginal courtworkers, Aboriginal family violence projects

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