Federal-Provincial-Territorial Meeting of Ministers responsible for Justice and Public Safety

January 21, 2016 – Quebec City, QC

 Today, federal,  provincial and territorial ministers responsible for justice and public safety concluded  a one-day meeting to discuss justice and public safety priorities for  Canadians.

 With a new federal  government and a number of new provincial and territorial governments, this  meeting was an opportunity to build new relationships and outline key issues  that they will work on together.

 The Ministers' meeting  began with a prayer led by a Huron-Wandat elder, and observed a moment of  silence to collectively express their mutual grief for the seven Quebeckers  recently killed in terrorist attacks in Jakarta and Burkina Faso.

 The ministers  focused on items of shared priority such as violence against Indigenous women  and girls, reconciliation, physician-assisted dying, countering radicalization,  cyber security, and financing an innovative justice system.

 Ministers discussed the  issue of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, informed by the Truth and  Reconciliation Commission's Calls to Action and agreed on the need to address related  issues, such as First Nations Policing.

 Recognizing the need  to take immediate action to address violence against Indigenous women and girls,  ministers articulated strong support for the National Inquiry into Missing and  Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and approved the Justice Framework to  Address Violence Against Indigenous Women and Girls. The ministers acknowledged  that the Justice Framework, which is informed by numerous reports and  discussions with Indigenous Peoples, can be updated to incorporate additional findings,  including those from the National Inquiry.

 Ministers agreed to  continue their important collaboration, including putting the Justice Framework  into action in accordance with jurisdictional priorities. In addition, they  recognized that work must continue across the country to resolve outstanding  cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, and to improve  services and supports to victims and their families.

 Ministers also emphasized  that collaboration is essential to the effectiveness of Canada's approach to  countering radicalization to violence. Ministers committed to supporting the  development of a framework for countering radicalization to violence, to  coordinate efforts, share information and best practices, and identify  priorities.  Ministers also agreed to  share information and best practices on cyber security.

 Ministers discussed  a range of innovative initiatives underway to deliver more efficient and  effective programs and services for Canadians.   They committed to meet again in the fall to follow up and collaborate on  these and other key issues of importance to all jurisdictions.

Quick Facts

   
• The meeting was co-chaired by the Minister of Justice and Attorney       General of Canada, Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., the Minister of Public       Safety and Emergency Preparedness, Ralph Goodale, P.C., the Minister of       Justice and Attorney General of Québec, Stéphanie Vallée, Q.C., and the Minister       of Municipal Affairs and Land Occupancy and Acting Minister of Public       Security of Quebec, Pierre Moreau.
   
• Federal, provincial and territorial attorneys general  and ministers responsible for justice and public safety usually meet at least  once a year to discuss key justice and public safety issues and give direction  to government officials from the various jurisdictions on new and ongoing  collaborative work being conducted over the year.

Quotes

"I am very pleased to have this  early opportunity to meet with my provincial and territorial colleagues to  build positive relationships and help set a tone of constructive collaboration  on justice issues that are important to Canadians.  Close engagement with our provincial and  territorial partners will be critical to delivering the real and positive  change that our Government has promised Canadians."
Jody Wilson-Raybould
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"The safety of Canadians and the safeguarding  of their values are of utmost importance to our government and are priorities  for all orders of government. This first meeting of provincial and territorial Ministers  was an important opportunity to discuss public safety priorities we will  collaborate on for the benefit of all Canadians. We had productive discussions  today and I look forward to continuing in this positive direction."
Ralph Goodale
Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness of Canada

"Today's  meeting has allowed us to set the stage for a collaboration on justice-related  matters that is based on open federalism. Quebec has seized on this opportunity  to reiterate its priorities and share its concerns, particularly with regard to  addressing violence against Indigenous women and girls, and financing justice  and legal aid. This day was also an opportunity for Quebec to share the  expertise that it has acquired in enacting its Act respecting end-of-life care  and establishing a framework for medical aid in dying."
Stéphanie Vallée
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Quebec

"We  are deeply concerned by new developments in security-related issues that affect  us all, such as cyber security and counter-radicalization to violence. Thanks  to our shared commitment to facing these new challenges, we will adapt our  approaches and find innovative solutions. I am convinced that our productive  exchanges, a spirit of openness and the sharing of best practices will lead to  significant concrete initiatives in public safety and justice."
Pierre Moreau
Minister of Municipal Affairs and  Land Occupancy and
Acting Minister of Public Security  of Quebec

Associated Links

Department  of Justice Canada
Public Safety Canada
Department of Justice of Quebec
Public Security Quebec

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Contacts

 

Media Relations
Department of  Justice Canada
613-957-4207

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public  Safety and Emergency Preparedness
scott.bardsley@canada.ca
Media Relations Office
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca