Justice and Solicitor General
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Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report 2017-18 Note to Readers: Copies of the annual report are available on the Alberta Open Government Portal website https://open.alberta.ca/publications/2371-2252 Justice and Solicitor General Communications 5th floor, Bowker Building Phone: 780-427-0900 9833 - 109 Street Fax: 780-427-0771 Edmonton, AB T5K 2E8 ISBN: 978-1-4601-3899-1 (print) ISBN: 978-1-4601-3900-4 (PDF) ISSN 2371-2244 (print) ISSN 2371-2252 (online) June 2018 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report 2017-18 Preface 2 Minister’s Accountability Statement 3 Message from the Minister 4 Management’s Responsibility for Reporting 6 Results Analysis 7 Ministry Overview 7 Discussion and Analysis of Results 16 Performance Measure Methodology 42 Ministry Expense by Function 47 Financial Information 49 Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General 51 Department of Justice and Solicitor General 83 Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund 117 Victims of Crime Fund 133 Office of The Public Guardian and Trustee, Estates and Trusts 153 Other Financial Information 175 Annual Report Extracts and Other Statutory Reports 182 2017-18 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report 1 Preface The Public Accounts of Alberta are prepared in accordance with the Financial Administration Act and the Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act. The Public Accounts consist of the annual report of the Government of Alberta and the annual reports of each of the 21 ministries. The annual report of the Government of Alberta contains ministers’ accountability statements, the consolidated financial statements of the province and the Measuring Up report, which compares actual performance results to desired results set out in the government’s strategic plan. This annual report of the Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General contains the minister’s accountability statement, the audited consolidated financial statements of the ministry and a comparison of actual performance results to desired results set out in the ministry business plan. This ministry annual report also includes: • the financial statements of entities making up the ministry including the Department of Justice and Solicitor General, the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, the Victims of Crime Fund, for which the minister is responsible; • the financial statements of the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee, Estates and Trusts for which the minister is responsible; • other financial information as required by the Financial Administration Act and Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act, either as separate reports or as a part of the financial statements, to the extent that the ministry has anything to report; and • financial information relating to trust funds. 2 2017-18 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report Minister’s Accountability Statement The ministry’s annual report for the year ended March 31, 2018, was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Fiscal Planning and Transparency Act and the government’s accounting policies. All of the government’s policy decisions as at June 4, 2018, with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in the preparation of this report. [Original signed by] Honourable Kathleen Ganley Minister of Justice and Solicitor General 2017-18 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report 3 MESSAGE FROM THE HONOURABLE KATHLEEN GANLEY Throughout the year, my ministry continued to help ensure Albertans can live in safe and secure communities and access a fair and innovative justice system. Justice and Solicitor General’s many and varied achievements are outlined in the 2017-18 annual report. In collaboration with our partners at the RCMP, our government took action to combat rural crime by drawing up a seven-point action plan, which includes an $8-million investment in 39 new RCMP officers, 40 civilian staff, and $2 million to hire up to 10 additional Crown prosecutors. This strategy will help reduce rural crime by putting resources where they are most needed. Along with our partners, my ministry also helped address a public health crisis caused by opioid overdoses and deaths. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) worked closely with the Chief Medical Officer of Health (CMOH) to support the development and implementation of harm reduction strategies. A full-body scanner was installed at the Edmonton Remand Centre as part of a pilot project to combat the introduction of drugs and weapons into the facility and to protect staff and inmates. The scanner detects concealed illegal and dangerous items, such as drugs, weapons, and other contraband items. To ensure we continue to provide care, custody and control, the department has continued to explore innovative ways of reducing the remand population through initiatives such as the Bail Navigator Project, in partnership with the Edmonton Police Service and the John Howard Society of Alberta. During the year, my department worked hard to strengthen relationships with Indigenous peoples. The Indigenous Court Work Program supported more than 7,000 clients with matters before the courts, and the Indigenous Justice Program provided Indigenous people with culturally-sensitive alternatives to court, where appropriate. Further, my ministry continues to assist families of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls through the Family Information Liaison Unit. It is vital that the justice system works more effectively, particularly in the light of the 2016 R v Jordan decision by the Supreme Court of Canada, which limits how long a criminal case can take to be addressed. To prevent cases from being dismissed due to delay, the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service continues to proactively take steps to ensure cases are heard as soon as possible, and the most serious and violent offences are prioritized. To further support the timely resolution of cases, our government also announced funding for up to 10 new Crown prosecutors, on top of resources for the rural crime reduction strategy, as well as 13 new staff in bail hearing offices, and up to 55 frontline court staff. Planning work also continued on the new multi-million dollar Red Deer Justice Centre, and new courthouses opened in Red Earth Creek and Fort Vermilion. 4 2017-18 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report Our government understands the vital role legal aid has in ensuring all Albertans have access to the justice system. Since taking office, we have increased funding to Legal Aid Alberta (LAA) by nearly 40 per cent. My ministry is currently negotiating a renewed, long-term sustainable funding and governance agreement with LAA and the Law Society of Alberta which will address the pressures on the program that threaten its long-term sustainability, such as rising costs and demand. During the year, the province launched a draft framework in anticipation of the federal government’s legalization of cannabis. Provincial work continues on the four main priorities: keeping cannabis out of the hands of children and youth; promoting safety on roads, in workplaces, and in public spaces; protecting public health; and limiting the illicit market. In terms of legislation, the Alberta Human Rights Amendment Act, 2017, was passed to strengthen human rights and to further protect Albertans from age discrimination. The act was amended to add “age” as a prohibited ground of discrimination in the areas of tenancy, goods, services, and accommodation or facilities. A phased approach to implementation was chosen in response to feedback from the age-restricted condominium industry. I am proud of everything we have accomplished during the past year. These initiatives represent a very small part of the important work that took place at Justice and Solicitor General in 2017-18. Thank you to my ministry staff for their dedication and commitment to providing Albertans with excellent services. I would also like to thank our numerous partners from across the justice and law enforcement system for their vital cooperation and service to Albertans. [Original signed by] Honourable Kathleen Ganley Minister of Justice and Solicitor General 2017-18 Justice and Solicitor General Annual Report 5 Management’s Responsibility for Reporting The Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General includes the Department of Justice and Solicitor General, the Human Rights Education and Multiculturalism Fund, and the Victims of Crime Fund. The executives of the individual entities within the ministry have the primary responsibility and accountability for the respective entities. Collectively, the executives ensure the ministry complies with all relevant legislation, regulations, and policies. Ministry business plans, annual reports, performance results and the supporting management information are integral to the government’s fiscal and strategic plan, annual report, quarterly reports, and other financial and performance reporting. Responsibility for the integrity and objectivity of consolidated financial statements and performance results for the ministry rests with the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General. Under the direction of the minister, I oversee the preparation of the ministry’s annual report, including consolidated financial statements and performance results. The consolidated financial statements and the performance results, of necessity, include amounts that are based on estimates and judgments. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards. The performance measures are