(Ottawa) The Canadian Judicial Council is investigating a complaint about “allegations about the conduct” of Supreme Court of Canada Justice Russell Brown.
The highest court in the country made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday, without providing further details on the nature of the complaint in question, of which the Chief Justice, Richard Wagner, was informed on January 31.
“The following day, following discussion with Justice Brown, Chief Justice Wagner placed him on leave of absence from his duties at the Supreme Court of Canada, effective immediately, pending determination of the complaint by the Council,” said declared the Court.
In its own press release, the Canadian Judicial Council reveals little more about the alleged misconduct that led to the opening of the complaint. The principal concerned was informed of this on January 31. On the same day, he was asked to comment on the allegations, which he did on February 20.
The Supreme Court of Canada assured that “all necessary arrangements have been made” for its activities to continue, mentioning in passing that the court is “authorized to sit with a minimum of five judges”.
Born in British Columbia, Justice Brown made his career in Alberta.
He was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of Canada on August 31, 2015.
Justice Brown’s absence from the bench had been noticed lately, and that is why the Canadian Judicial Council decided “that it was in the public interest to announce the review of this affair “.