By Canadian Press

Supreme Court won’t hear dispute over discipline of federally appointed judges

Dec 12, 2019 | 9:13 AM

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada will not delve into questions about the process for disciplining federally appointed judges.

The top court has declined to hear the Canadian Judicial Council’s argument that its recommendations should be immune to scrutiny from the Federal Court.

The dispute arises out of a long-running fight to have a Quebec Superior Court judge, Michel Girouard, removed from the bench over his behaviour during a disciplinary inquiry.

Girouard asked the Federal Court to set aside a recommendation he be tossed off the bench.

The judicial council argued the court lacked authority to review the matter, but Federal Court Judge Simon Noel ruled that no one — not even the country’s top judge who chairs the council — was above the law.

Health alerts

Sask NDP sound alarm over TB cases in northern Saskatchewan

8h ago

PYSANKY EASTER EGGS

"It's special to pass this on": Saskatchewan family celebrates Ukrainian Easter heritage

8h ago

BUSTED

Man charged after fleeing from RCMP on dirtbike in Onion Lake

9h ago

The Federal Court of Appeal upheld the ruling in May, saying the judicial council’s actions and decisions are administrative in nature.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2019.

The Canadian Press