Federal tribunal support service expanded to cover territorial bodies and gains a new Environmental Protection Tribunal

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

The Administrative Tribunals Support Service of Canada Act has been amended to allow the Service to support bodies established under territorial legislation, not just federal tribunals. The Minister of Justice can now add territorial bodies to a new Schedule 2 by ministerial order (published in the Canada Gazette), provided there is a satisfactory funding arrangement in place; for bodies with federally-appointed members, the relevant federal minister must be consulted first. The Service can also now spend revenues it receives from providing services to territorial bodies to offset its own costs. Separately, the Environmental Protection Tribunal of Canada has been added to Schedule 1 (the main list of supported federal tribunals). Organizations or bodies operating under territorial legislation that may seek support services from the federal Service should watch for ministerial orders adding them to Schedule 2.

Who this affects: territorial government bodies seeking federal tribunal support services · federal administrative tribunals listed in the schedules · federal Minister of Justice · organizations appearing before newly listed tribunals