NCJ Number
127513
Date Published
1990
Length
258 pages
Annotation
This report examines the role, responsibilities, and powers of the merged office of Attorney General and Minister of Justice at the Federal level in Canada and recommends changes in the administrative structure of the combined office and the specific powers of the Crown prosecutor, who acts under the Attorney General to initiate, conduct, and terminate proceedings.
Abstract
The merged office combines the prosecution system, which is accountable to the public for the exercise of powers conferred by statutory and common law, and the Minister of Justice, who is a Federal Cabinet member and has political responsibilities. To ensure the independence of the prosecution service from partisan political influences and to reduce potential conflicts of interest within the Office of the Attorney General, a new office should be created and called the Director of Public Prosecutions. These and 44 other recommendations relating to criminal prosecutions will directly affect the provinces. Reference notes