The backlog index is the number of cases initiated divided by the number of final decisions (the inverse of the completion rate). A backlog index greater than 1.0 suggests courts were unable to close as many cases as were initiated, creating a backlog in cases. A backlog index less than 1.0 suggests that courts were able to close more cases than were initiated, and able to successfully clear away some of the existing backlog. * Data prior to the fiscal year of 2015/16 excludes Quebec.
The fiscal year runs from April 1 to March 31 each year.
Adapted from Statistics Canada, statcan.gc.ca, FY 2009 to FY 2019. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
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Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada 2009-2019
In the fiscal year of 2018/19, the backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada stood at 1.10. This is higher than the backlog index of 1.04 recorded for the previous fiscal year.
The backlog index tracks whether courts are able to close more cases than are initiated, with a rate greater than one suggesting the courts were unable to close as many cases as were initiated.
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StatCan. (October 15, 2020). Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada from FY 2009 to FY 2019 [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 25, 2026, from /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/
StatCan. "Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada from FY 2009 to FY 2019." Chart. October 15, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 25, 2026. /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/
StatCan. (2020). Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada from FY 2009 to FY 2019. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 25, 2026. /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/
StatCan. "Annual Backlog Index of Adult Criminal Courts in Canada from Fy 2009 to Fy 2019." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 15 Oct 2020, /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/
StatCan, Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada from FY 2009 to FY 2019 ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/ (last visited July 25, 2026)
Annual backlog index of adult criminal courts in Canada from FY 2009 to FY 2019 [Graph], StatCan, October 15, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1133840/backlog-index-adult-criminal-courts-canada/
