Access to fair and equal justice (civil and criminal)

Proportion of the population by level of confidence that the civil and criminal justice systems are fair and accessible to all people.

This indicator is measured in the Department of Justice's National Justice Survey.

Survey respondents are asked:

How confident are you that the Canadian criminal justice system is...

• Fair to all people *
• Accessible to all people *

[Levels marked with * are randomized]

1. Not at all confident
2.  
3. Moderately confident
4.  
5. Very confident

How confident are you that the family justice system in Canada is...

• Fair to all people *
• Accessible to all people *

[Levels marked with * are randomized]

1. Not at all confident
2.  
3. Moderately confident
4.  
5. Very confident

How confident are you that the civil justice system (excluding family justice) in Canada is...

• Fair to all people *
• Accessible to all people *

[Levels marked with * are randomized]

1. Not at all confident
2.  
3. Moderately confident
4.  
5. Very confident

The questions on the criminal justice system have been included since 2018, the questions on the family justice system have been included since 2021, and the questions on the civil justice system (excluding family justice) since 2023. The label "Moderately confident" was added to the middle response category on each of the questions above as of 2023.

Data from the 2023 National Justice Survey will be available in winter 2023.

Most of civil law falls into two main categories: general civil law and family law. General civil law deals with disputes between people/organizations, disputes about contracts, wills, property, wrongful dismissal, etc. Administrative civil law is also under the umbrella of general civil law and involves disputes between a person and organization (e.g., medical malpractice) or government agency. Family law involves issues around divorce, child care matters, child support, etc. The family justice system in Canada extends beyond the courts and includes family justice services such as parent education sessions, supervised access, and family dispute resolution services.

• National Justice Survey

• The National Justice Survey 2022 Infographic: Confidence in the Canadian Criminal Justice System (Department of Justice Canada)
• Confidence in the Canadian Family Justice System 2022 (Department of Justice Canada)

• Perceptions of and experiences with police and the justice system among the Black and Indigenous populations in Canada (Juristat, February 16, 2022)
• National Justice Survey 2021

Statistics Canada's General Social Survey (GSS) - Canadians' Safety (Victimization) asks the following questions about the Canadian criminal courts:

Of the following, do you think the Canadian Criminal courts do a good job, an average job or a poor job?

• Providing justice quickly
• Helping victims
• Determining whether the accused or the person charged is guilty or not
• Ensuring a fair trial for the accused

How much confidence do you have in the Canadian Criminal courts? Is it:

• A great deal of confidence
• Some confidence
• Not very much confidence
• No confidence at all

Have you ever had contact with the Canadian Criminal courts?

• Yes
• No