OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 23, 2015) - The Director of Public Prosecutions, Brian Saunders, today announced the tabling in Parliament of the Public Prosecution Service of Canada Annual Report 2014-2015. The report covers the period from April 1, 2014, to March 31, 2015.

In 2014-2015, the PPSC worked on 79,987 files. This includes 47,521 files opened during the year and 32,466 carried over from previous years. While drug prosecutions continue to represent a significant proportion of its total caseload, the PPSC also conducted prosecutions in a number of areas including environmental, economic and terrorism offences.

The report covers the transfer, on October 1, 2014, of the Commissioner of Canada Elections from Elections Canada to the PPSC. A statement of principles was signed to reinforce that the Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions exercise their statutory duties independently, while still operating within the PPSC. For the first time, the PPSC Annual Report includes a section provided by Commissioner of Canada Elections Yves Côté on the operations of CCE staff.

"This report highlights the significant work undertaken by PPSC employees, in various capacities and across all PPSC offices," said Mr. Saunders. "I would like to thank all PPSC employees for their hard work and dedication throughout the year, which enable the organization to consistently deliver on its mandate. I also welcome the staff of the Commissioner of Canada Elections to the PPSC."

The PPSC is responsible for prosecuting offences under federal law and provides prosecution-related advice to investigative and law enforcement agencies. As of March, 31, 2015, the organization had 1,031 employees. The PPSC also retains the services of 183 private-sector law firms or 410 individually appointed lawyers, as standing agents.

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