BILL S-291

An Act to establish Judicial Independence Day

This enactment designates January 11th in each and every year as “Judicial Independence Day”.

Preamble

Whereas the rule of law is fundamental to maintaining a democratic society and upholding human rights;

Whereas maintaining the rule of law requires a judiciary consisting of judges who are impartial and independent in the face of political pressures and interference attempts;

Whereas, in particular, the independence of the judiciary depends on a judicial appointment and promotion process that is based on candidate merit and on fair, impartial and transparent disciplinary mechanisms;

Whereas, on January 11, 2020, tens of thousands of people, including hundreds of judges from 22 European countries, took part in the “1,000 Robes March” in Warsaw to express their opposition to attacks on judicial independence in Poland;

Whereas the International Association of Judges formally requested that the United Nations commemorate the 1,000 Robes March, in part to mark judges’ brave and peaceful mobilization for an independent judiciary;

And whereas Parliament recognizes the importance of drawing public attention to the threats to judicial independence in many countries of the world;

Now, therefore, His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows: