(Ottawa) A new process for how the Canadian Judicial Council will review allegations of misconduct against judges has been enshrined in law.
A bill that received royal assent on Thursday evening amends the Judges Act to specify when a judge can be removed from office. It also changes the way the council reports recommendations for a judge’s removal to the federal Minister of Justice.
The law also creates a new committee to review complaints and determine whether a judge’s removal is warranted, as well as a new process for judges to appeal disciplinary decisions against them.
Justice Minister David Lametti said the new process will lead to faster and more cost-effective resolutions, and replace a more expensive and time-consuming process.
Anyone can file a complaint against a judge, but this must be done in writing and sent to the judicial council.
The judicial review process received increased attention earlier this year, when the council announced it would consider a complaint against former Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown. That investigation ended when Mr Brown announced his retirement from the nation’s highest court in early June.