General Background

The Law Commission of Canada is a statutory body established under the Law Commission of Canada Act. A Law Reform Commission of Canada was first introduced in 1971 to provide independent legal advice to the Government of Canada. It was re-established as the Law Commission of Canada in 1997 to provide guidance on key legal questions. A revived Commission was announced in Budget 2021.

The Commission provides independent advice on improvements, modernization and reform for a just legal system that meets the changing needs of Canadian society.

This advice includes the development of new approaches to the law and measures to make the legal system more efficient, economical and accessible.

The Commission’s President is required to submit to the Minister of Justice for tabling in Parliament an annual report on the Commission’s activities.