Mr. McKinnon, the Department of Canadian Heritage funds the Court Challenges Program 100% through a contribution agreement. Its funding is divided between two branches—human rights and official languages rights.
Budget 2023 announced an additional $24.5 million over five years, which is double the funding for the Court Challenges Program.
However, every year there are a number of worthy applicants that aren't funded. It's not because they don't qualify, but because the program is underfunded, nor is this funding stable. Even with this legislation, there is a possibility that a future government could underfund the program and deny people access to the justice that they deserve.
Why enshrine the Court Challenges Program without requiring adequate funding?