Despite its core function, jury duty has been vastly overlooked, undervalued, and underinvested in, and it has not kept pace with the modern world. Many jurors have expressed frustration at the lack of support for their service. Employers have felt inconvenienced, even suggesting employees are somehow responsible for being selected above their duties and commitment to the workplace.
Honourable members of the committee, jury duty is not a vacation. It is not time off or a break from the office. We all have a collective responsibility to support jury duty and respect the role it plays within our democracy and justice system. Through advocacy we've raised the issue of jury duty trauma, mental health concerns and the vast gaps in the system that exist today to the highest levels of public office.
The House of Commons justice and human rights committee unanimously agreed to undertake a landmark study on this issue and produced a groundbreaking report complete with 11 actionable recommendations. The Canadian Juries Commission was born of these recommendations and has gone well beyond, to address additional fundamental concerns and provide fact-based solutions to improve jury duty.
We hereby request an investment from this government to improve jury duty for all Canadians, an investment that will build confidence in the institution and a desire amongst citizens to welcome the opportunity to sit in court rather than finding a way to be excused from service. While this government has made commitments to stem firearm-related crimes, homicide, money laundering, gang-related activities, human trafficking and online child sexual exploitation, we should be reminded that jurors will be tasked with delivering a verdict in those very cases. This government's commitment to fulfill the mission of the inquiry into missing and murdered indigenous women and girls and to take actions to reduce violence against and victimization of indigenous women and girls and LGBTQ2S persons stems from the proliferation of cases that are before the courts right now, which jurors will address and be tasked with addressing through the law.
Honourable members of the committee, honouring these vital justice and public service commitments and investments demands an equal and direct investment in improving and supporting jury duty. Our 10-year plan and $20-million investment will renew Canadians' confidence in jury duty and provide the supports to ensure Canadians can perform their task and return to their lives and families proud that they served their country and the justice system.
With an investment of $20 million from the Government of Canada, the Canadian Juries Commission will be able to do the following: support jurors through partnerships with mental health professionals; provide workplace support for employees and employers; promote jury duty to Canadians; study jury duty and identify the barriers and drivers Canadians have experienced in and out of the court; create a national office that represents all regions of the country in both official languages and indigenous languages to give jurors a voice; and work to ensure a more diverse and inclusive jury pool, especially in the indigenous community.
Jury duty is a civic duty, but it's not a duty to suffer. It is our obligation to support our citizens throughout all aspects of jury duty and the responsibility of our government and the Canadian Juries Commission to see that support is provided and carried through.
Thank you for allowing us to appear before you today.