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House Bill

Bill C-9

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 22, 2023
An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • The Judges Act in Canada has been amended to provide a new process for reviewing misconduct allegations against federally appointed judges. This new process applies to judges whose alleged misconduct is not serious enough to warrant removal from office. The Canadian Judicial Council will now be responsible for reviewing the conduct of judges, and a new roster of judges and lay persons will be established to review complaints. The Council may designate a screening officer to assess complaints, and a reviewing member to review complaints that are not dismissed. The Council will establish policies for notifying complainants of any decisions made under the new process.
  • H1
  • H2
  • H3
  • S1
  • S2
  • S3
  • RA
  • Yea (355)
  • Nay (55)
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SteelmanSpren in Favour

  • This bill, the Judges Act, provides a new process for reviewing allegations of misconduct by federally-appointed judges that are not serious enough to warrant removal from office. This process aims to ensure the impartiality, integrity, and independence of the Canadian judicial system and increase public confidence in the system. The establishment of rosters of judges and lay persons ensures diversity and clarity in the selection process for review panels. Additionally, the requirement for written submissions from judges who are the subject of a complaint ensures a fair and transparent process. Overall, this bill seeks to maintain the highest standards of conduct for federally-appointed judges and to ensure the integrity of the Canadian judicial system.

SteelmanSpren Against

  • This amendment to the Judges Act creates a new process for reviewing allegations of misconduct that is not serious enough to warrant removal from office. However, some may argue that this new process does not go far enough in holding judges accountable for their actions. The fact that the Canadian Judicial Council, a body made up of judges, is still responsible for handling complaints raises concerns about potential conflicts of interest. Additionally, the criteria for justifying the removal of a judge from office are quite narrow and do not include, for example, instances of bias or prejudice. This amendment does little to address these issues and may therefore fall short in providing true accountability for judges.
Senate Third Reading
  • June 22, 2023, noon
  • Passed
Royal Assent
  • June 22, 2023, noon
  • Read

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 21, 2023

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 16, 2023

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 15, 2023

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 05, 2023
Senate First Reading
  • Dec. 13, 2022, 2:45 p.m.
  • Passed

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 13, 2022
House Third Reading
  • Dec. 9, 2022, 1:46 p.m.
  • Passed

House Debates

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 09, 2022

House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 06, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • Report 6 presented to the House
  • In accordance with its Order of Reference of Monday, October 31, 2022, your committee has considered Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act, and agreed on Thursday, December 1, 2022, to report it with the following amendments:

    Clause 12

    That Bill C-9, in Clause 12, be amended by adding after line 31 on page 6 the following:

    “(2) If the reviewing member dismisses the complaint, they shall inform the complainant in writing of their decision and the reasons for it.

    (3) The reasons shall not include information that is confidential or personal, or that is not in the public interest to disclose.”

    That Bill C-9, in Clause 12, be amended by adding after line 27 on page 8 the following:

    “(2) If the review panel dismisses the complaint, it shall inform the complainant in writing of its decision and the reasons for it.

    (3) The reasons shall not include information that is confidential or personal, or that is not in the public interest to disclose.”

    Your committee has ordered a reprint of Bill C-9, as amended, as a working copy for the use of the House of Commons at the report stage.
    A copy of the relevant Minutes of Proceedings (Meetings Nos. 37, 38, 39 and 41) is tabled.
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
December 01, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act Government's Obligations to Victims of Crime
  • Thu Dec 01, 2022 03:43 - 04:46PM
  • Read
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 24, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • Thu Nov 24, 2022 03:33 - 05:47PM
  • Read
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 21, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • Mon Nov 21, 2022 11:04 - 12:44PM
  • Read
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 17, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • Thu Nov 17, 2022 03:31 - 05:22PM
  • Transcript not yet availabe
  • Watch
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Committee

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
November 01, 2022
Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST)
Re. Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act
  • Start of Study
  • Hear!
  • Rabble!
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House Motion No. 206

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
Oct. 31, 2022, 3:15 p.m.
2nd reading of Bill C-9, An Act to amend the Judges Act