An Act to amend the Judges Act
An Act to amend the Judges Act. Royal assent June 23, 2022 (S.C. 2022, c. 8). Responds to the 2017 Liberal-led Bill C-337 (the 'JUST Act') that passed the Commons but lapsed in the Senate, and to ongoing pressure from the Canadian Judicial Council on judicial-conduct reform. Establishes a new, more transparent judicial-conduct process: replaces the existing Judicial Council inquiry committee with a structured process including a review panel, hearing panel, reduced-hearing panel for less serious cases, and an appeal panel. Federal Court judges and Court of Appeal judges hearing the appeal panel. Sponsored by David Lametti as Minister of Justice.
Status
Quick learn
Updates how complaints about federally appointed judges (Superior Court, Federal Court, and the Supreme Court) are reviewed. Before this bill, the Canadian Judicial Council had only one real penalty: recommend removal. Now the Council can also impose lesser sanctions (counselling, reprimand, suspended sitting) for misconduct that doesn't warrant removal.
Issues this bill touches
- Indigenous Rights
Self-government framework agreement implementing First Nations jurisdiction over child welfare and other matters.
Legislative history
- First reading
First reading in the House of Commons.
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Second reading in the House of Commons.
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Third reading in the House of Commons.
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First reading in the Senate.
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Second reading in the Senate.
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Third reading in the Senate.
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Royal assent received.
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Sponsored by
David LamettiLIBERALOfficial source
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