Proper funding for the courts
Budget shortfalls and rising caseloads reduce access to justice and decrease the public’s trust in judicial institutions
In a nutshell
The Canadian Bar Association, along with its Quebec Branch, is calling on the federal government to adequately fund the Courts Administration Service (CAS). The funding is critical to meet new and existing obligations under the Official Languages Act (OLA) and to address increasing case volumes and complexity.
Funding shortfall
Recent amendments to the OLA require courts to issue decisions of precedential value in both official languages simultaneously, starting in June 2024. To meet these requirements, the CAS requested $37.7 million over three years, along with $15 million in ongoing funding. However, it was allocated only $9.6 million over three years, with no ongoing funding.
This funding shortfall hinders the CAS's ability to support the courts effectively, leading to delays in translation and revision.
“Moreover, we understand that the lack of funding and rising caseloads poses a significant challenge to the ongoing operations of the four national Courts and CAS’s ability to maintain core operations,” the CBA letter reads.
“This in turn directly impacts access to justice and raises serious concerns about the integrity of the justice system, as well as the public’s trust in it.”
Read the submission.
