About the Department

The Department of Justice and Public Safety is responsible for the dual offices of:

The Attorney General, who is responsible for:

  • Administering criminal justice in the province, and the prosecution of all offenses under the Criminal Code of Canada, and the statutes of Newfoundland and Labrador;
  • Representing the Crown in matters of civil litigation;
  • Providing legal services to all government departments and agencies;
  • Representing the Crown where public rights of concern to the provincial government are being questioned;
  • Providing advice to government on proposed legislation, carrying out studies for the reform of law, and providing legislative drafting services for the government;
  • Providing access to legal aid to those persons who are eligible.

The Minister of Justice and Public Safety, who is responsible for:

  • Administering court services;
  • Administering correctional systems;
  • Administering police protection;
  • Administering emergency services;
  • Administering fire services;
  • Administering 911;
  • Administering the implementation and operation of the province-wide public safety radio system.

Mandate

The Department is responsible for the provision of legal services to Government through the Office of the Attorney General and is responsible for the protection and safety of people in the province in respect of their persons and property. These responsibilities are met through: provision of legal advice to Government departments, police protection, prosecution of accused persons, administration of the courts, including family justice services, operation of the province’s correctional systems, provision of services to victims of crime, protection of human rights and legal aid services. The Department also provides legislative drafting services through the Office of the Legislative Counsel, and is also responsible for the Support Enforcement Program, Fines Administration, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Serious Incident Response Team. The Department also has responsibility for the Divisions of Fire Services, Emergency Services, Public Safety Infrastructure, and 911. This mandate reflects the dual responsibilities of the Minister of Justice and Public Safety and the Attorney General of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Vision

A justice and public safety environment that is accessible and understood and which plays a key role in creating a fair, equitable and safe society where all people can pursue their lawful rights and freedoms.

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Lines of Business:

  • Court Services is responsible for providing infrastructure and administrative support to the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador. Family Justice Services, which falls under the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, is responsible for promoting dispute resolution outside the court process. The program assists parties in resolving parenting and support issues and offers parent information sessions, mediation, and counselling.
  • Support Enforcement performs a number of services related to the collection and distribution of court-ordered funds for support, maintenance or alimony. This includes registering and transmitting Support Orders, issuing Notices of Garnishment, tracing delinquent payers, and receiving and transmitting Interjurisdictional Support Orders applications.
  • Fines Administration is responsible for the processing, billing and collection of fines penalties and surcharges imposed on individuals by Provincial Court, summary offence tickets, or other legislation. Ticket processing, billing and collection services are also provided to third parties such as municipalities, hospitals, and post-secondary institutions.
  • Policing Services are delivered through the province’s two policing agencies: the RNC and the RCMP. Through a broad range of policing services, both police forces are responsible for enforcing the law to protect public safety.
  • Corrections and Community Services is responsible for the safe and secure custody of youth and adult offenders, for providing adult community corrections in the form of probation services, and for providing services to victims of crime.
  • Office of the Chief Medical Examiner is an independent entity that is responsible for reporting, investigating and recording deaths pursuant to the Fatalities Investigation Act. The Chief Medical Examiner is also responsible for appointing physicians to act as medical examiners and appointing medical investigators.
  • Office of the High Sheriff is responsible for providing services to the Supreme and Provincial Courts. The Office of the High Sheriff administers the jury system, provides court security, judgement enforcement and trust account services, and executes orders and decisions of the Court.
  • Emergency Services develops and maintains the emergency management system in Newfoundland and Labrador to mitigate against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergencies. Services and programs include the Provincial Emergency Management Plan, Emergency Management Training Program, the Disaster Financial Assistance Programs, the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre, 24/7 on-call system, and Regional Emergency Management Planning officers.
  • Fire Services provides oversight to local governments, fire departments and other stakeholders on matters related to fire protection services, including firefighter training and certification, fire department assessments, and education. The division is also responsible for the Office of the Fire Commissioner in fulfilling the duties outlined in the Fire Protection Services Act.
  • Public Safety Infrastructure Division is responsible for the implementation and operation of the province-wide radio system, a single communications system for police, firefighters, paramedics and other public service providers.
  • 911 Division is responsible for administering 911 as the primary emergency telephone number for use throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the development and implementation of any enhancements to the 911 emergency telephone number service.
  • Civil Division is responsible for providing legal services to Provincial Government departments and agencies. These services include providing legal opinions, drafting commercial and financial documents, and representing the Provincial Government and its agencies in negotiations and civil actions before administrative tribunals, all levels of court and judicial inquiries.
  • Office of the Legislative Counsel provides legislative drafting services to Government. Additionally, in conjunction with the King’s Printer and the House of Assembly, the office ensures the publication and dissemination of provincial legislation.
  • Public Prosecutions is responsible for prosecuting all offences pursuant to the Criminal Code of Canada and provincial statutes. Prosecutors appear in every level of court in the province and in the Supreme Court of Canada. Public Prosecutions also provides legal opinions and advice on criminal and criminal-related matters to policing agencies and other Government departments that enforce provincial statutes.
  • Serious Incident Response Team is an independent civilian-led police oversight agency responsible for conducting independent investigations into serious incidents involving death, serious injury, sexual offence, domestic violence or any matter of significant public interest that may have arisen from the actions of a police officer in the province.

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Staff

As of April 1, 2023, the Department employed 1,439 individuals, including the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC). In addition, pursuant to the Provincial Policing Services Agreement and Community Tripartite Agreements, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) employed approximately 456 officers, and 115 civilian members and support staff to provide frontline policing services in approximately 44 locations throughout the Province.  The Department employs a wide range of professionals including lawyers, police officers, social workers, psychologists, counsellors, correctional officers, youth care counselors, deputy sheriffs, information management specialists, administrators, financial managers, educators and administrative support staff.

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The People We Serve

The Department primarily serves the general public and Government departments and agencies. The Department provides a range of services to individuals or groups of individuals through the courts, public prosecutions, family justice services, support enforcement, victims’ services, correctional services, fines administration, policing, 911, the public safety radio system, and emergency services. Government itself is also a significant client of the Department. Civil law services are provided to Government departments and agencies in the form of legal advice, as well as representation in litigation. Legislative drafting services are provided by the Office of the Legislative Counsel.

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