Two of the foundational purposes of the CSCJA are to protect and enhance judicial independence and to promote public understanding of the role of judges in the justice system. Within this mandate, we are always concerned when these principles are threatened in Canada and abroad. In recent months we have seen Canadian judges targeted and independence threatened, including in Ontario, and recently at the International Criminal Court.

Canadian judges uphold the rule of law within our borders and at times they hold roles with an international jurisdiction. It is the role of the judge in all settings to interpret and apply the law without bias or influence. In a democratic society they must be free and able to do so, independent from all other stakeholders, including governments.

Recently, on October 6, 2025, I attended the ceremonial opening of the judicial year at the Supreme Court of Canada. It was the first such ceremony in 39 years and marked the Court’s 150th anniversary. I am telling you this because I wish to share some of Chief Justice Wagner’s comments about judicial independence:

The Court’s legacy has been about upholding the democratic values of our great country. While we are not a superpower in the traditional sense of the word, we are certainly a democratic superpower.  For us the rule of law is non-negotiable […] We are also united in our deep conviction that the rule of law and judicial independence are not abstract concepts. They are the best defense against tyranny and autocracy.

But for most Canadians, judicial independence is theoretical. Bringing it to life requires efficient and effective access to justice, delivered fairly and impartially by well-trained judges. […]

As we open this new judicial year, let us once more affirm the principles that have guided [us] since 1875: the rule of law, judicial independence, and equal access to justice. […]

May these principles always guide the Court in its service to justice and to our great nation and may each of us always uphold them firmly, faithfully, and fearlessly.

Additionally, the CSCJA wishes to highlight once again the public statement made by Ontario’s three Chief Justices regarding Judicial Independence, on April 30, 2025, which clearly and succinctly explains why judicial independence is crucial to our constitutional democracy:

[…]  The principle of judicial independence is generally recognized as having two dimensions. The first applies to individual judicial officials and embodies the fundamental principle that a judicial official must be, and must be seen to be, free to decide each case on its own merits, without interference or influence of any kind from any source, including politicians. The second applies to the Court as an institution. It requires the Court, as a whole to be, and appear to be independent of the legislative and executive branches of government. Together, both dimensions safeguard the judicial decision-making process and, in turn, the public that the Court serves.

Throughout the year, there are various opportunities through the Association to educate students and other members of the public on these principles. For instance, in the new year, all of us will receive an invitation to participate as guest speakers in Law Day activities in and around April 17, 2026. Please take up the opportunity and any others in your community. Resources are available to support such initiatives on our Association website:

A reminder, as well, that our Association is partnering with the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice (CIAJ) to host a significant three-day bilingual conference, “Democracy, the Rule of Law and Independence,” from November 18–20, 2025, in Ottawa. We encourage you to register to attend the program to further this conversation.

Finally, the CSCJA wishes to assure our colleagues of our support and of our ongoing mandate to protect judicial independence. We urge all members to do the same.