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INTRODUCTION
THE WORK
HISTORY
OUR MISSION AND VALUES
JUSTICE AT WORK NEWSLETTER
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INTRODUCTION
As the largest single legal organization in the country, the Department of Justice employs more than 2000 lawyers from all over
Canada, whose backgrounds are as varied as the country itself. If you are a lawyer or law student considering a legal career with
the department, acquaint yourself with the kind of people, work and culture you can expect to find here.
Located in Ottawa, the Department's headquarters are close to Parliament Hill and across the street from the Supreme Court of
Canada. Our lawyers are also employed in legal services units attached to more than 40 federal departments and agencies in the
National Capital Region. Across Canada, the Department maintains regional offices in Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg,
Saskatoon, Edmonton, Vancouver, Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Inuvik.
As an equal opportunity employer, the Department is committed to achieving a skilled, diversified workforce that reflects the
diversity of the Canadian population. We encourage members of the following designated groups to apply and self-identify: members
of a visible minority group; Aboriginal peoples; and persons with disabilities.
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THE WORK
A career at Justice offers a range of opportunities, including the chance to work in-criminal, civil and tax litigation, policy
development, human rights law and international law. Justice in-house corporate counsel work for a wide variety of federal
departments and agencies. Our lawyers also have responsibility for drafting legislation that the federal government introduces for
debate and passage in Parliament. The Canadian Charter of
Rights and Freedoms, gun control legislation, and the North American Free Trade Agreement are some examples of legislation that Justice lawyers played an important
role in preparing.
Lawyers entering the Department of Justice may specialize in a particular area of law, or take advantage of the excellent
opportunities offered for rotation through several specialties in the course of a career.
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HISTORY
The Department has been at the forefront of nation-building since Confederation. The determination of the federal-provincial
division of constitutional powers, the pursuit and preservation of social justice, the patriation of the Constitution - all have
been conducted with Justice as a central player.
On May 22, 1868, just eleven months after Confederation, the Department of Justice was created by act of Parliament, as were the
twin offices of Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. The Minister is the official legal adviser to the Governor
General and the legal member of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada. The Attorney General is the chief law officer of the Crown,
charged with the regulation and conduct of all litigation for or against the Crown and the provision of legal advisory services to
all federal departments and agencies.
Though distinct in function, these offices have traditionally been held by the same individual. Sir John A. MacDonald held them
himself during the crucial first six years of his government, and a number of Justice ministers have since gone on to become Prime
Minister.
In the 19th century, the Department performed a wide array of functions with a very modest staff. In 1872, for example, the team
consisted of a deputy minister, five lawyers and two messengers, with a total salary budget of $8,000. The young Department
drafted federal legislation and regulations, prepared ordinances for the territories, and oversaw provincial legislation for
consistency with the British North America Act
( now the Constitution Act, 1867).
The tradition at Justice is embodied in its culture, which values inclusiveness, fairness, excellence and respect for our legal
system. The objectives of that tradition are summarized in the statement of our mission and values
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