Supplementary Information Tables - Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

The PPSC has one core responsibility: Federal Prosecutions. That is, to prosecute criminal and regulatory offences under federal law in an independent, impartial and fair manner. It also provides prosecutorial legal advice to investigative agencies. To be successful, the PPSC must address systemic discrimination and overrepresentation in the criminal justice system, and integrate equity into all its decisions.

The PPSC has been working hard to integrate GBA Plus in the delivery of its mandate. In 2020-21, the PPSC began work towards building capacity for prosecutors to apply GBA Plus analysis throughout the lifespan of a prosecution, and building capacity within PPSC to conduct a comprehensive review and revision of the Deskbook^{Footnote 1} from an intersectional perspective. The goal is to review the prosecution policies set out in the Deskbook to identify and address guidance that could contribute to systemic discrimination in the legal system. Key activities included leading external consultations and planning, conducting a learning needs analysis, piloting the training, conducting train-the-trainer workshops, and developing a national training delivery strategy. This work resulted in the development of a PPSC-specific GBA Plus training for prosecutors and paralegals: Expanding our Mindset – Applying an Intersectional Lens to Prosecutorial Work (A GBA Plus Approach).

In 2020-21, the PPSC appointed an experienced lawyer from its legal management team to the position of Senior Designated Official for Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EEDI). The goal is to keep considerations of intersectionality at the forefront of PPSC prosecutorial analysis and throughout the workplace, in order to contribute to the necessary changes needed for a criminal justice system that is fair to all Canadians. The focus is on raising awareness among employees; revising practice guidelines to incorporate the lived experiences of individuals going through the criminal justice system; and, being equipped to identify and address unconscious biases that exist.

The PPSC is committed to providing a bias-free and inclusive workplace for its employees. In September 2020, two Co-champions for a Bias-Free Workplace were appointed to collaborate with the National Diversity and Inclusion Committee and engage with employees to drive the PPSC further in addressing issues of systemic discrimination and bias within the department. More than 20 roundtable discussions were conducted virtually with employees across the organization and the country. Discussions were held without the presence of management and a confidential platform was provided to create a safe space for employees to share their views. A report on the findings is forthcoming.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Core Responsibility: Federal Prosecutions

Other:

The unique cultural setting for prosecutions in the North led to the creation of the Crown Witness Coordinators Program in 1988. For more than 30 years, the Program has provided a service to bridge the cultural gap between the court system and First Nations and Inuit victims and witnesses engaged in the court process. The main role of Crown Witness Coordinators (CWC) is to help victims and witnesses understand the court process, the roles of the court participants and, for the victims, their rights and responsibilities under the Canadian Victims Bill of Rights. CWCs provide court updates, accompany witnesses to court, provide support during and after testimony, and assist with trial preparation. CWCs also act as liaisons between Crown counsel, victims, and witnesses, to ensure that their concerns are considered during the justice process.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

The PPSC is not able to monitor and/or report program impacts by gender and diversity. The PPSC's legal case management system does not provide the statistical information needed to provide gender-based data.

Section 3: Program Links to Gender Results Framework

Core Responsibility: Federal Prosecutions

Section 4: Program Links to Quality of Life Framework

Core Responsibility: Federal Prosecutions

Date modified:

2020-11-22