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Department of Justice
MINISTER OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES CREATION OF NEW LAW COMMISSION
OTTAWA
, October 6, 1995 -- Allan Rock today introduced legislation in the House of Commons to create a new, streamlined Law Commission of Canada. The Commission will, for the first time, provide the government with independent advice from all sectors of
Canadian society on modernizing Canada's law and making the legal system more efficient.
The creation of the Law Commission of Canada fulfils another Red Book promise made by the Government. It is in keeping with the Government's policy on ensuring that advisory organizations provide essential services and are cost-effective. It is
part of a broader effort to establish a more efficient and effective legal system.
"Canada's legal system faces complex issues that require more than a legal solution," Mr. Rock said. "Effective, long-term remedies lie in an approach that includes not only legal but social, economic and other disciplines as well.
The Government of Canada believes that an independent, multi-disciplinary law reform body is essential to this process."
The work of the Law Commission of Canada will signal a new approach to law reform, governed by several principles that are set out in the legislation: cost-effectiveness; responsiveness; innovation; inclusiveness; a multi-disciplinary approach and
openness.
The Commission's mandate will be to review Canada's law and its effects in order to provide independent advice on improvements, modernization and reforms to address the changing needs of Canadian society.
Special efforts have been made to ensure that the structure and operations of the new Commission provide Canadians with good value by being both effective and cost-efficient. These efforts include the Commission's mandate to consider efficiency
and economies within the legal system, the compact design of the new Commission, the substantial use of volunteers, and measures to allow the Commission to generate its own self-supporting revenues. To ensure that the Commission is working well and
achieving its mandate, it will be subject to a review of its performance after five years.
Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 1995 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.
This initiative is an example of how this government is prioritizing its spending so that it can better serve Canadians by making efficient use of their tax dollars.
Ref.: Cyrus ReporterDeborah McCorkell-Hoy
Minister's OfficeDepartment of Justice
(613) 992-4621(613) 957-7657
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