Ottawa, October 30, 2026 - The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC), representing more than 3,500 federal lawyers and prosecutors, notaries and articling students,  welcomes the full relaunch of the Department of Justice’s LP-01 Training and Development Program, on October 29, 2026.

Our members were central to achieving this outcome. By filing more than 250 individual grievances and standing together, members helped drive the legal and advocacy efforts that led to the relaunch. Members’ experiences also informed our engagement with the Department on the renewed framework.

The framework includes several important gains:

  • Term employees are included. Participation now extends across LP-01 appointment types, giving term employees access to the program’s developmental opportunities.
  • A broader range of relevant experience can count. The framework recognizes qualifying experience gained after being called to the bar in roles involving functions comparable to counsel work, where those functions formed a substantial, ongoing part of the employee’s responsibilities.
  • No new probation for employees who have already completed it. Those on probation, as set out in their letter of offer when entering the program, will continue under their existing terms.
  • Promotion timing is more flexible. Members who meet the requirements can be considered for promotion throughout the year, without waiting for the February or August cohort dates.

We will continue pursuing how leave connected to grounds protected under the Canadian Human Rights Act is treated within the program, through recent individual grievances, our policy grievance and ongoing advocacy. Members should be able to take protected leave without facing discriminatory barriers to career progression.

Thank you to every member who filed a grievance or supported their colleagues. Our collective effort helped bring the program back and improve it. We will keep that same focus on members as the renewed program takes effect.

 

ABOUT THE AJC

The Association of Justice Counsel (AJC) is the union defending Canada’s legal team. Our 3,500+ members are Federal Crown Counsel, notaries and articling students employed by the Government of Canada in the Department of Justice, the Public Prosecution Service of Canada, and in various federal agencies, tribunals and courts across Canada.

MEDIA CONTACT

The Communications Department 
Association of Justice Counsel 
300–2725 Queensview Drive 
Ottawa, ON, Canada 
K2B 0A1

Phone: (613) 798-9900 
Toll-Free: (866) 218-3310 
Fax: (613) 564-0606 
Email: admin@ajc-ajj.ca

 

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