Justice Services, Economic Burden and Social Costs in Canada

Justice problems impose substantial costs on people, businesses, public services and the wider economy, whether they concern a dispute with an employer, incidents of crime or violence, a neighbourhood or housing conflict, a problem with money or debts or a family or relationship breakdown. This report provides an economic assessment of the incidence, pathways and (social) costs of 12 justice problems in Canada, drawing on legal needs and victimisation surveys, administrative records and socioeconomic data and evidence. It examines the prevalence of these problems and differences in legal capability, access to professional assistance and dispute resolution, and rates of resolution across problem types and population groups. The report estimates the different types of impacts and costs associated with the selected justice problem areas and examines how these costs are distributed across individuals and households, government, employers and wider society. The report concludes with policy priorities relating to prevention and early intervention, problem-specific pathways, inequalities in access and outcomes, and improvements in justice data and social-cost analysis.