Ottawa, February 12, 2026 - During its February 9, 2026 meeting examining Bill C-15, the Standing Committee on Finance heard direct references to concerns raised by the Association of Justice Counsel regarding justice spending reductions and the cancellation of the LP-01 training initiative. The government’s broken promise to increase funding to the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) was also raised in this context. 

Appearing before the Committee was the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada. 

During the proceedings, MP Larry Brock cited AJC’s position that proposed cuts risk “undermining the very systems Canadians depend on to uphold fairness, accountability, and public safety.” He added, “When you cut justice, you cut the rule of law.” 

Mr. Brock also raised concerns about early retirement measures for senior counsel and questioned the decision to pause the LP-01 training initiative for new lawyers. 

MP Jean-Denis Garon subsequently emphasized that, during his meeting with us, concerns were raised about the growing loss of expertise within the federal government. He warned that sustained reductions in internal capacity could lead to increased reliance on external consultants for specialized mandates. 

The inclusion of these concerns in the parliamentary record underscores their seriousness. 

The pause of structured development pathways for early-career counsel, combined with the accelerated departure of experienced lawyers, raises important questions about succession planning, institutional knowledge, and the long-term capacity of federal legal services. 

The Association of Justice Counsel will continue advocating for transparency, accountability, and the protection of professional development within Canada’s federal justice system. 

When justice capacity is weakened, the rule of law is at risk.