Canada's chief justice urges 'major reforms' to judge oversight

TORONTO — The body that handles complaints about the behaviour of federally appointed judges is in need of both internal and legislative reform to streamline what is now a cumbersome disciplinary process, Canada’s top judge says.

Wagner said he is reaching out to senior judges across the country to garner their views on what changes are needed. Areas include the council’s mission, how its various committees are appointed, and the crucial role of the executive director, who wields significant power as complaints gatekeeper.

“The CJC is facing a fierce counter-attack such as they have never seen before,” Gover said at the time. “It’s a good thing to look at those issues when society has evolved, has changed. Expectations have changed also. I thought it was a good time to look at it. It’s a major work to make sure that the judiciary is still relevant.”

While one of the survey questions touches on the situation Smith found himself in, Wagner said he could not discuss specific cases that are before the courts but said discussing reforms was important. He noted that his predecessor Beverley McLachlin had asked for legislative changes to enhance the council’s work.

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Chief Justice Richard Wagner urges ‘major reforms’ to judicial oversight in CanadaHe said he would be launching this week a sweeping review of the Canadian Judicial Council, which has come under harsh criticism for some of its actions. Yes time to take it out of the hands of lawyers. He should be reviewing Trudeau and his cronies who RELEASED the confidential process ILLEGALLY!!!!! acoyne ......you mean a confessed convicted murderer who decapitated his victim walking around Manitoba with an unconditional release may be problematic to some That kind of reform
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