Ministerial Mandate Letter - Justice and Public Safety

Dear Premier,

Please accept this letter in response to your mandate letter to all Ministers, dated March 3, 2026. 

The mandate of the Department of Justice and Public Safety is to provide a fair justice system, to uphold the rule of law and the rights of individuals while contributing to the safety and wellbeing of the community. 

Our work will be carried out in close collaboration with colleagues across government. Our justice and public safety systems often have unique insights into the downstream impacts of social policy and economic conditions positioning our team to support a whole-of-government approach to address the interconnected challenges facing Islanders and contribute to coordinated solutions. By aligning policy, investment, and service delivery, we will continue to make progress on shared priorities while maintaining fiscal discipline and public trust.

Specific Actions for the Next 12–18 Months

The Department will continue its core responsibilities by providing legal advice and representation to government, strengthening public safety and emergency management, and supporting system resilience. Ongoing work includes coordinated prevention and response efforts related to sexual and domestic violence as well as implementation of recommendations from interjurisdictional reviews. The Department is also advancing reconciliation through partnerships with Indigenous communities, including improved emergency management and culturally appropriate justice approaches, to enhance safety, confidence, and fairness across the justice system.   In addition to this ongoing work, specific actions over the next 12-18 months will include:   

• Work with colleagues in Education and Early Years, Social Development and Seniors, and the Interministerial Women’s Secretariat to finalize an action plan and begin to implement the Youth Cyberviolence Prevention Strategy.
• Design and implement a bail supervision program.
• Advance the second phase of Therapeutic Court Services- a Downtown Community Court.
• Implement Next Generation 911.
• Establish a multi-lateral agreement with Abegweit First Nation to support improved emergency management.
• Introduce a new Coroner’s Act to modernize death review processes.
• Update family violence protocols and begin development of an adult sexual violence protocol.
• Implement an Electronic Death Registry, a new Corporate Registry and Licensing System, and a new court information system.

The Department will advance these priorities through careful planning, cross‑government collaboration, and responsible management of public resources.

Sincerely,

Hon. Bloyce Thompson