Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19

The courts are a pillar of Canada’s democracy, an essential service to Canadians, and a critical support to economic activity. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, courts were forced to significantly curtail operations in response to physical distancing and other public health and safety requirements.

That is why the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, Chief Justice of Canada and Chairperson of the Canadian Judicial Council, and the Honorable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, established an Action Committee on Court Operations in Response to COVID-19 in May 2020.

The Action Committee provides national leadership to support the work of provincial and territorial governments, individual courts, and court administrators in progressively restoring the full operation of Canada’s courts while ensuring the safety of court users and staff.

As Canadians and their communities emerge from the present crisis and adapt to new realities introduced by COVID-19, the courts will be crucial to a broader national recovery. By providing provincial, territorial, and judicial decision-makers with the best possible health and safety information, the Action Committee supports them in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of court users, while advancing Canadians’ common interest in a safe and accessible justice system.

Website

Please visit the Action Committee’s Website, hosted by the Officer of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada, to find more information about the Action Committee and its publications including Tip Sheets, Policy Papers, Case Studies and Communiqués.

Contact

The Action Committee welcomes feedback on the guidance that it has released and suggestions regarding best practices. Emails to the Action Committee will be received in the first instance by the Action Committee Secretariat, which will advise the Action Committee on feedback received and respond on its behalf.

Email: AC-secretariat-CA@fja-cmf.gc.ca

Date modified:

2021-07-15