A2J Repository
Nationwide Resources
Purpose
Improving access to justice takes national collaboration. The A2J Repository brings together proven tools, frameworks, and reports from across Canada—resources designed to support innovation and impact from coast to coast. This growing collection helps organizations learn from each other, scale what works, and strengthen justice efforts nationwide.
“The road we travel is equal in importance to the destination we seek. There are no shortcuts. When it comes to truth and reconciliation, we are all forced to go the distance.”
– Justice Murray Sinclair
Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
Truth and Reconciliation Commission
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada issued 94 Calls to Action in 2015 to address the legacy of residential schools and advance reconciliation. These Calls to Action are directed at various levels of government, Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and institutions across Canada. The Province of British Columbia has committed to implementing these Calls to Action, working collaboratively with Indigenous communities and organizations to ensure meaningful and comprehensive actions are taken. This commitment includes aligning provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and fostering relationships based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership.
The Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG)
Final Report
The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) released its Final Report, Reclaiming Power and Place, in 2019. The inquiry documented the experiences of over 2,380 individuals, including family members, survivors, experts, and Knowledge Keepers, gathered through public hearings and evidence collection over two years. The report concluded that the violence against Indigenous women, girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA people is rooted in persistent and deliberate human and Indigenous rights violations, amounting to a form of genocide. It issued 231 Calls for Justice directed at governments, institutions, social service providers, industries, and all Canadians, urging transformative legal and social changes to address the crisis and its underlying causes.
Canada’s Black Justice Strategy
Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is a federal initiative aimed at addressing systemic anti-Black racism within the criminal justice system. Developed in consultation with Black communities across the country, the strategy responds to longstanding concerns about the overrepresentation of Black individuals as both victims and accused persons in the justice system. It also acknowledges the broader impacts of discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, gender, and other intersecting factors. The strategy outlines a comprehensive approach to ensure equal treatment before and under the law, aligning with Canada’s commitment to the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent. Sources
Report: Access to Justice Metrics Informed by the Voices of Marginalized Community Members: Themes, Definitions and Recommendations Arising from Community Consultations (Canadian Bar Association 2013)
The CBA’s Access to Justice Metrics report defines access to justice through the voices of marginalized communities. Through 13 consultations across Canada, the Committee gathered input from low-income, racialized, disabled individuals, and single mothers to identify practical indicators of justice access. The report presents key themes and community-driven definitions of access to justice.
reaching equal justice: an invitation to envision and act
A summary report by the CBA Access to Justice Committee
The Canadian Bar Association’s “Reaching Equal Justice” Summary Report presents a national action plan to close the access to justice gap in Canada, especially for low-income and marginalized communities. It outlines a bold, multi-layered strategy focused on three key pathways: improving “everyday justice” through legal education and early intervention tools; transforming the court system to be more user-friendly and efficient; and reinventing how legal services are delivered, including through technology, pro bono work, and expanded legal aid. The report emphasizes the need for strong public engagement, leadership, and coordination across sectors, along with measurable goals and better data collection. With 31 targets set for achievement by 2030, it offers a clear, practical roadmap for creating a more equitable justice system for all Canadians.
Access to Civil & Family Justice: A Roadmap for Change
Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters
The Access to Civil and Family Justice Report highlights the urgent need for systemic reform in Canada’s justice system, which is currently too complex, slow, and costly to meet the needs of the public—especially for low-income and vulnerable communities. Nearly 12 million Canadians face legal problems every three years, many without the means to resolve them. The report calls for a culture shift grounded in six guiding principles: putting the public first, fostering collaboration, promoting legal education, simplifying processes, taking action, and focusing on outcomes. It offers a nine-point roadmap for change across three areas: innovative service delivery, institutional and structural reform, and stronger research and funding strategies. Emphasizing local leadership within a coordinated national framework, the report envisions a future where access to justice is a shared priority—integrated into everyday life, policy, and community well-being.
National Action Committee on Access to Justice’s Justice Development Goals (2023)
The Justice Development Goals (JDG) 2024 Report highlights national progress in improving access to justice, with 380 projects led by 253 organizations across Canada. It showcases innovative efforts by legal clinics, governments, and community groups to address everyday legal needs, simplify services, and build a more people-centered justice system. The report emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and data-driven reform.
Rural & Remote Access to Justice
A Literature Review
The Rural & Remote Access to Justice Literature Review highlights the unique barriers faced by Canadians living outside urban centers, including limited legal services, infrastructure challenges, and geographic isolation. It emphasizes the need for innovative, community-based solutions—like mobile clinics and tech-enabled services—to close justice gaps, especially for vulnerable populations such as Indigenous peoples, seniors, and low-income families.
Still waiting for disruption
Final report
The Still Waiting for Disruption (SWD) 2020 Report from OCAD University examines why legal technology has yet to significantly improve access to justice in Canada. While innovations have enhanced law firm operations, they have largely overlooked the everyday legal problems faced by ordinary people, especially those without legal representation. The report highlights systemic barriers and calls for a shift toward people-centered legal tech solutions. It offers a practical toolkit to guide innovators, funders, and policymakers in developing technology that truly meets the needs of marginalized and self-represented individuals, aiming to transform the justice system and close the access gap.
VOICES MATTER: THE IMPACT OF SERIOUS LEGAL PROBLEMS ON 16- TO 30-YEAR-OLDS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY
The 2021 report Voices Matter: The Impact of Serious Legal Problems on 16- to 30-Year-Olds in the Black Community examines the experiences of Black youth in Ottawa and Toronto facing significant legal challenges. Conducted by Justice Canada, the study utilized an intersectional approach, recognizing the complex interplay of race, age, and socio-economic factors influencing legal encounters. Through online surveys and narrative focus groups, participants shared their experiences with legal issues, highlighting systemic barriers and the compounded effects of discrimination and marginalization. The findings underscore the urgent need for culturally relevant legal support and systemic reform to address the unique challenges faced by Black youth in these urban centers.
Experiences of discrimination among the Black and Indigenous populations in Canada, 2019
Canadian Centre for Justice and Community Safety Statistics
The 2022 Statistics Canada report shows that nearly half of Black Canadians experienced discrimination in the past five years, with 41% facing race-based bias—much higher than the general population. Canadian-born Black individuals reported more discrimination than Black immigrants. Police interactions were a common source of discrimination for both Black and Indigenous people. These findings highlight the ongoing need to address systemic racism in Canada.
