The demanding nature of the work, coupled with concerns about inadequate resources, is taking a toll on judges’ well-being. In response, the CSCJA has formed a new sub-committee specifically focused on addressing wellness issues. The importance of judicial wellness is further underscored by the initiative of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime in undertaking a global survey of the linkages between judicial well-being and judicial integrity. As a result of this survey, the UNODC supported the drafting of a Declaration on Judicial Wellness by a committee of judges from around the world. Justice Lynne Leitch was a member of this drafting committee and endorsed the Declaration as the CMJA President. This Nauru Declaration on Judicial Wellness, adopted at a Regional Judicial Conference on Integrity and Judicial Well-Being, emphasizes that judicial well-being is essential and must be recognized, supported, and treated as a shared responsibility between individual judges and judicial institutions. The Canadian Judicial Council is also undertaking a research project on wellness and the Association plans to collaborate at every opportunity as the project progresses.
