Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Analysis by Program Activity

Description of Service

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada supports the Attorney General of Canada in the discharge of his criminal law mandate – in particular its work supports the priorities of prosecuting criminal offences under federal law, and contributing to strengthening the criminal justice system.

Over 50 federal statutes confer prosecution and prosecution-related responsibilities on the Attorney General of Canada; these duties are carried out by the PPSC. In all provinces except Quebec and New Brunswick, the PPSC has responsibility for the prosecution of all drug offences under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, regardless of whether a federal, provincial, or municipal police agency lays the charges. In Quebec and New Brunswick, the PPSC is responsible for drug charges laid by the RCMP. In addition, in all provinces, the PPSC prosecutes violations of federal statutes such as the Fisheries Act, the Income Tax Act, the Excise Act, the Customs Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the Canada Shipping Act as well as conspiracies and attempts to violate these statutes. Pursuant to understandings with the provinces, the PPSC also prosecutes Criminal Code offences where drug charges are involved and are the focus of the case. In the three Territories, the PPSC is additionally responsible for prosecuting all Criminal Code offences.

Hence, the PPSC performs a number of key national roles. The PPSC fulfils the criminal litigation responsibilities of the Attorney General of Canada, including:

• legal advice to investigative agencies and government departments on the criminal law implications of investigations and prosecutions;
• litigation support during the investigative stage, including wiretap applications and orders to produce evidence;
• charge review and exercise of the Attorney General's discretion to prosecute;
• legal risk assessment and management, with the development of prosecution plans for the management of prosecutions of mega-cases;
• a role as prosecutor in all matters prosecuted by the Attorney General of Canada on behalf of the Crown;
• assistance to the Minister of Justice in extradition and mutual legal assistance matters; and
• a role as a centre of expertise for criminal law, national security and federal prosecution matters, and provision of policy advice in the development of amendments to federal statutes relevant to the criminal justice system.

Plans/Commitments

In support of its Strategic Outcome: Prosecution of criminal offences under federal law in a manner that is independent of any improper influence and respects the public interest, the PPSC will focus its efforts in the following areas in 2007-2008:

• Prosecution of drug, organized crime and Criminal Code offences;
• Prosecution of federal offences to protect the environment, natural resources, economic and social health;
• Addressing criminal issues, in the context of prosecutions, to contribute to a safer world for Canada;
• Promotion of a fair and effective justice system that reflects Canadian values within a prosecutorial context; and
• Ensuring the sustainability of the PPSC.

These, in turn, support the Government's Strategic Outcome of Safe and Secure Communities. The PPSC program activities are described in the following pages.