Chief Justice ‘Not Comfortable’ With Lack of Transparency Over Judicial Complaints

Chief Justice ‘Not Comfortable’ With Lack of Transparency Over Judicial Complaints
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner speaks at a ceremony in Ottawa on Oct. 28, 2021. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
The Canadian Press
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Canada’s chief justice says he has asked the national body that oversees the conduct of judges to consider making the process for dealing with complaints more transparent.

At a news conference today, Richard Wagner says he is “not comfortable” with the current process because it is too opaque and insufficiently clear for the public.

Russell Brown retired from the Supreme Court of Canada on Monday, ending a probe into allegations of misconduct.

The Canadian Judicial Council said it no longer has jurisdiction to continue investigating allegations of misconduct stemming from an event at an Arizona hotel in January.

Brown has vigorously denied accusations that he was intoxicated and harassed a group of friends at an event at an upscale resort in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Brown, appointed to the Supreme Court eight years ago, had been on leave since Feb. 1, pending the outcome of the council’s review.