The Canadian Judicial Council (CJC) has published a new public education resource, “Why Judicial Independence Matters,” designed to help Canadians better understand one of the foundational principles of the justice system.
Judicial independence ensures that anyone who appears before a court — whether as a victim, an accused person, a litigant, a parent, an employee, or a citizen challenging government action — has their case decided on the law and the evidence alone, free from outside influence. It guarantees equal treatment under the law and, in doing so, protects individual dignity, preserves public confidence in the administration of justice, and upholds the integrity of Canada’s Constitution and democracy.
Written for a general audience, the publication covers topics including Canada’s democratic system, the role of courts, the qualities and duties of judges, judicial accountability, and the safeguards that protect the independence of the courts.
This resource supports CSCJA’s own ongoing public education efforts on judicial independence, reinforcing the message that independence and accountability work together within Canada’s justice system.
Read “Why Judicial Independence Matters” on the Canadian Judicial Council’s website.
