The business plan for the three years commencing April 1, 2006 was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and the government's accounting policies. All of the government's policy decisions as of February 23, 2006 with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware have been considered in preparing the business plan.

The Ministry's priorities outlined in the business plan were developed in the context of the government's business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving the planned results laid out in this business plan.

[Original Signed]

Ron Stevens, QC, Minister of Justice and Attorney General
March 1, 2006

THE MINISTRY

The Ministry of Justice includes the Department of Justice as an entity for government reporting purposes, as well as the Alberta Review Board, the Fatality Review Board, the Judicial Council, the Notaries Public Review Committee, the Provincial Court Nominating Committee, and the Rules of Court Committee. The Alberta Review Board makes or reviews dispositions concerning any accused person for whom a verdict of "not criminally responsible because of mental disorder" or "unfit to stand trial" is rendered. The Board also has the responsibility for determining whether a person should be subject to a detention order or conditional discharge or be granted an absolute discharge. The Fatality Review Board is responsible for reviewing certain deaths investigated by the Medical Examiner's Office and recommending to the Minister of Justice and Attorney General whether a public fatality inquiry should be held. The Provincial Court Nominating Committee provides recommendations to the Minister of Justice on the appointment of individuals to the Provincial Court of Alberta, and the Rules of Court Committee makes recommendations to the Minister of Justice on amendments to the Rules of Court under the Court of Appeal Act, the Court of Queen's Bench Act, and the Civil Enforcement Act.

The Department of Justice is responsible for prosecutions, court administration, providing legal advice to government on Alberta's laws, the provision of legal services to government, and ensuring the justice system meets the needs of Albertans. The Department protects the legal interests of Albertans in need through the Maintenance Enforcement Program, Public Trustee services and support for legal aid. The Department also provides policy coordination, development, advice, and research. Strategic Services, Aboriginal Justice Initiatives Unit, and Human Resource Services provide strategic support to the Ministry. A more detailed description of the Ministry can be found on our Web site by clicking here.

A fair and safe society supported by a trusted justice system.

To protect the rights of all individuals in Alberta and advance the interests of society by fostering:

• Safe communities
• Access to justice
• Respect for the law
• Understanding of and confidence in the justice system
• The legal foundation for social cohesion and economic prosperity

The Ministry's core businesses and goals are aligned with and support a number of government goals and priorities. Alberta Justice plays a key role in Goal 10 of the Government of Alberta business plan - Alberta will be a fair and safe place to work, live and raise families by supporting a trusted justice system that promotes law and order for the purpose of protecting individuals, securing justice for victims, and ensuring offenders are held accountable. The Ministry also plays a key role in Goal 6: Albertans will be self-reliant and independent and those unable to provide for their basic needs will receive help by ensuring that low-income Albertans have access to legal services that they would not otherwise be able to obtain.

The Ministry is primarily linked to the fourth opportunity - Making Alberta the Best Place to Live, Work and Visit. The Ministry will continue to invest in Alberta's communities to make them among the safest in North America by getting tougher on those who commit violent offences. The Ministry will play a leadership role in establishing a more responsive justice system by expanding the availability and scope of dispute resolution options and using technology to strengthen the justice system. It will also continue to pressure the federal government to take tough positions against violent crimes and those who commit them.

Recognizing trends, identifying new challenges, and being aware of changes in diverse socio-economic sectors is an important part of setting the Ministry's strategic priorities and addressing justice concerns for Albertans. A number of these opportunities and challenges are complex and involve other stakeholders and jurisdictions. The Ministry is presented with the challenge of being held accountable for outcomes for which the Ministry does not have sole responsibility. The following factors will influence the Ministry in developing future goals and strategies.

Children, Youth, Families & Family Violence
Family violence continues to be a significant issue in Alberta. In 2004, women living in Alberta were the most likely in Canada to report spousal violence, while men in Alberta were the second most likely. Family violence impacts those directly involved, the children who witness the violence, the community, and society as a whole. It is estimated that 60 - 70 percent of child welfare cases come from violent homes, and that many physical, mental, emotional and financial concerns are rooted in family violence.

Child Sexual Exploitation
Possessing child pornography is not a victimless crime. Child pornography has devastating effects on children and youth, both those who are exploited in the actual pictures and those who view it. It is permanent proof of the sexual abuse of a child. Although child pornography is not new, the internet has enabled purveyors and collectors of this material to distribute it in an unprecedented manner.

Identity Theft
Identity theft is one of the fastest growing, and potentially one of the most economically destructive, forms of criminal behaviour in Alberta, Canada and the world. With the increasing sophistication of the criminal element and the growth in the use of advanced technology by criminals, it is easier than ever to create a completely false identity, assume the identity of a deceased person or use personal information of an existing person to commit criminal offences.

Impact of Gang Crime
Across Canada there has been an increase in senseless and unprovoked acts of violence committed by gangs, and Alberta has not been immune to these criminal acts. Particular groups that can be characterized as gangs may or may not fall within the legal definition of criminal organization or conform in their methods to traditional patterns of organized crime. They are groups that carry out acts of violence or commit property offences associated with motives of gain and drug trafficking. Gangs are involved in the illegal manufacture, trafficking and use of drugs, including crystal methamphetamine. The increased prevalence of offences committed by drug users may require distinctive policing, prosecution and court strategies. Emerging groups are often inter-provincial and pursue criminal activities in both urban and rural settings.

Traffic Safety
Alberta has a traffic injury and fatality rate that has been above the national average as recently as 2004. The Alberta government has taken a very public stance on the issue of traffic safety, especially with respect to impaired drivers. Alberta's slogan is "Alberta is getting tough on Impaired Drivers". Traffic injuries and deaths have a profound impact on government, through provision of health care, loss of productivity, insurance issues, enforcement and prosecution, and road construction and maintenance. The impact on the lives and quality of life of Albertans is immeasurable.

Access to Justice
All Albertans are entitled to fair and equitable access to and treatment by the justice system. They want to be able to resolve conflicts with the least amount of time, cost, and complexity, and they want to do it close to their own communities. Issues affecting access to justice include: an increasing number of self-represented litigants in the family and civil courts; the inability of low income persons to access the justice system; and an increasing demand for alternatives to litigation that are fair while remaining affordable; and challenges specific to remote areas.

Aboriginal Initiatives
Aboriginal people are the youngest and fastest growing population in Alberta, with one-third of the Aboriginal population 14 years of age or younger. The disproportionate representation of Aboriginal people at all stages in the criminal justice system, both as victims and offenders, continues to be a significant issue.

Public Engagement and Confidence
With Albertans increasingly demanding a greater role in government decision-making processes, constructive engagement is becoming of greater importance in ensuring that services, programs, and information meet their needs in the most effective and efficient ways possible. Engaging and informing Albertans about the justice system through public legal education has the potential to improve Albertans' understanding of the structures and processes of the justice system, and it also has the capacity to instill a greater respect for the rule of law. Understanding the law and the notion that no individual, group or organization is above the law is fundamental to a free and democratic society.

Through the Ministry’s review of external and internal challenges, the following strategic priorities have been identified. The prioritites are equally important to the Ministry.

The Ministry must work with Albertans and justice stakeholders in a collaborative, consultative, and continuous way to coordinate efforts and clarify roles and responsibilities in order to be able to effectively respond to the key issues of Alberta's justice system. This includes providing increased opportunities for engagement and making stakeholder involvement an integral part of the policy and decision-making process. Strong partnerships with stakeholders are required for the Ministry to enhance Albertans' understanding of the rule of law and increase their confidence in the justice system.

Alberta, in conjunction with the federal government and all provinces and territories, has committed to Road Safety Vision 2010 – a national strategy to make Canada's roads the safest in the world. The strategy includes aggressive targets to reduce fatalities and injuries on Canada's roadways. Justice is working closely with Infrastructure and Transportation, Solicitor General and Public Security, as well as non-government organizations to implement the Alberta Traffic Safety Plan. The Alberta Traffic Safety Plan provides new strategies, including legislation and increased enforcement, to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on Alberta's roads.

Since the Alberta Roundtable on Family Violence and Bullying in May 2004, Alberta has taken many positive steps toward prevention and effective intervention in family violence. However, Alberta continues to experience deaths as a result of intimate or ex-intimate partner relationships. Although Alberta has many agencies that address family violence, they are not all well positioned to deal with situations of high risk. The establishment of an Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment and Management Initiative would provide an expert resource to professionally assess threats and their level of lethality, formulate mitigation strategies and develop safety plans. This initiative is being coordinated with the Family Justice Strategy to ensure that these two initiatives support one another.

Justice has committed to providing high quality alternate dispute resolution processes to Albertans, to allow for resolution of disputes in efficient and effective ways.

The Family Justice Strategy is focused on the alignment of family law and procedures. The long term goal is to have a family law system that offers a common set of procedures and appropriate services to all family law applicants, regardless of geography or the court to which they apply.

Issues of increasing demand and associated costs of providing legal aid services will be addressed by various strategies, including the implementation of a staff counsel pilot project in adult criminal court.

Justice is a co-leader with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development in implementing one of the Government of Alberta’s Top Priorties; Building Aboriginal Self-Sufficiency. This initiative seeks to provide clear policy parameters to guide provincial participation in self-government negotiations. As well, the participation of First Nations in economic and resource development on reserves can be promoted by the application of provincial regulatory standards.

Through public consultations, Albertans have indicated that a high priority for them is safe communities in which they can live, work, and raise their families in safety and security without fear of crime or victimization. Crimes that threaten our communities are becoming more sophisticated and the criminal justice system must be positioned to investigate and prosecute these emerging crimes.

1.1 Advance Alberta's positions to the federal government and garner support from the other provincial/territorial governments to reform criminal law, including matters relating to: long term and dangerous offenders, peace bonds, bail provisions and mandatory minimum sentences for serious drug offenders and offences involving firearms.

1.2 Work with traffic safety partners to implement initiatives to improve road safety in Alberta and explore opportunities to enhance the effectiveness of investigating and prosecuting impaired driving cases.

1.3 Enhance the capacity of the Prosecution Service to align with increasing police resources to prosecute serious and violent crime to the fullest extent, including but not limited to the sexual exploitation of children, organized and economic crime, local gang violence, identity theft and crimes related to and arising from crystal methamphetamine and other drug abuse.

1.4 Work with partnering ministries, police service and community partners to advance the Alberta Relationship Threat Assessment and Management Initiative to reduce domestic violence related injuries and deaths.

1.5 Work with ministry and community partners to identify gaps in services and explore best practices to develop strategies that will improve the criminal justice system response to sexual assault.

1.6 Participate with Solicitor General and Public Security and other stakeholders in the implementation of the government-accepted recommendations of the MLA Report of the Alberta Victims of Crime Consultation.

1.7 Review and prepare proposals for controlling the ability of persons convicted of serious crimes to profit from the recounting of their crimes and to allow victims of crime to benefit from those profits.

Justice is responsible for helping to resolve criminal and civil disputes. This includes reasonable access to court resources and dispute resolution opportunities. Where appropriate, this includes alternatives to traditional court processes, such as mediation, judicial dispute resolution, and mini-trials. By speeding up the process and lowering costs, these alternatives can improve access.

2.1 Develop a long-term approach to move forward with a Justice Information Management System initiative that will address current and future business requirements of the Ministry and the Courts, focussing on technology as a means to strengthen the Justice system.

2.2 Develop and coordinate a strategy to integrate and streamline delivery of all aspects of Family Justice.

2.3 Develop, evaluate, improve and coordinate mediation and other dispute resolution initiatives.

2.4 Work with Infrastructure and Transportation and the judiciary to ease court crowding, modernize buildings and improve access to the justice system.

2.5 Work with Solicitor General and Public Security to enhance the integration and effectiveness of the Provincial Security Program, including perimeter security and/or enhanced security for all courts.

2.6 Develop a strategy to address increasing traffic ticket and bylaw volumes and ensure effective processing of these matters in the courts. This strategy includes electronic ticket processing.

2.7 Working in partnership with the Alberta Law Reform Institute, the Rules of Court Committee, and/or other stakeholders as appropriate, rewrite the Rules of Court to simplify and update them.

2.8 Improve access to justice for self-represented litigants by improving court information services for the public.

2.9 Review and prepare amendments to the existing provisions that provide for structured settlements (periodic payments), to be applied where courts award damages for personal injury or death.

Through its programs and services, the Ministry of Justice provides support and protection to vulnerable citizens, including families who depend on court-ordered maintenance payments, individuals unable to protect their financial interests, and individuals who cannot afford legal counsel. Helping those in need is essential to Alberta's success.

3.1 Conduct a feasibility study for a pilot project to encourage compliance with court ordered parenting time in Edmonton.

3.2 Continue public awareness activities to inform the general public about Maintenance Enforcement Program services.

3.3 Determine a model for administrative recalculation of maintenance by conducting a review of needs in Alberta and examining best practices in other jurisdictions.

3.4 Complete the expansion of the Tri-Departmental Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped (AISH) Benefits Administration Program. This program assists AISH recipients manage their AISH benefits where the individual has limited other resources and no one else who can assist in this regard.

3.5 In coordination with Seniors and Community Supports, review all submissions from the public and feedback from the stakeholder focus groups and draft a revised Dependent Adults Act.

3.6 Work with the Legal Aid Society of Alberta to implement a staff counsel pilot project in the adult criminal court in Edmonton, which will provide services to eligible clients.

Albertans identify that information and education about the justice system is important. Additionally, perceptions of crime in their communities and the province, along with the information they receive from the media, affect their understanding of and confidence in the justice system. The Ministry will continue to work with partners to find better ways of informing Albertans about the justice system, including the development of new strategies and working with Education and other stakeholders to develop justice education resources for Alberta classrooms. Recognizing the importance of the rule of law in the operation of government, this core business is central to the department's role in seeing that public affairs are administered according to law.

4.1 Consult with stakeholders whenever appropriate on programs, policies, and services in areas of provincial responsibility when contemplating significant changes that will impact the public.

4.2 Initiate and maintain partnerships with stakeholders to identify information gaps and to determine potential research opportunities and effective justice education strategies.

4.3 Develop and implement initiatives in consultation with partners to increase Albertans' awareness, understanding, and confidence in the rule of law and the justice system.

4.4 Work with Education and other stakeholders to develop justice education resources for Alberta classrooms.

The government performs a number of roles as service provider, community partner, and lawmaker. These roles involve relationships with individuals, families, communities, and other governments. Effective legal services reduce the potential for conflict involving the government, as well as protecting and advancing the interests of the government. By providing effective legal and related strategic services, Justice can assist other ministries in achieving their corporate goals and strategic priorities.

5.1 Enhance alignment of legal service resources with government ministries by continuing to:·

• Modify legal service protocol agreements to meet the ongoing needs of client ministries and Justice.
• Improve our corporate counsel services to meet the needs of client ministries.

5.2 Provide legal and related strategic advice to the Deputy and Assistant Deputy Minister committees in relation to Aboriginal self-government and the regulatory framework for economic activities on reserves.

5.3 Establish and maintain a network of Alberta Government legislative planners to facilitate the sharing of information on principles, processes and best practices in relation to the development of legislative proposals.