Category: Justice Minister

Quebec Justice Minister Faces Ethics Probe After Naming Friend to Provincial Court

Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette is facing an ethics investigation after appointing his friend as a provincial court judge. Ethics commissioner Ariane Mignolet opened an investigation after receiving a complaint from the Liberal party regarding the nomination of Charles-Olivier Gosselin to Quebec court. The probe was launched after Le Soleil newspaper reported that Jolin-Barrette had…


Law Delaying Expansion of Assisted Dying Regime to March 2024 Passes

A Liberal bill to delay the planned expansion of Canada’s medically assisted dying regime has passed third reading in the Senate. The expansion, which was originally slated for March 17, would include people whose sole underlying condition is a mental disorder. Justice Minister David Lametti announced the delay in February, saying more time was needed…


Justice Minister Says Bail System ‘Strong and Sound’ Ahead of Meeting With Provinces to Discuss Reform

Justice Minister David Lametti said Canada has a sturdy bail system ahead of a meeting with provincial and territorial counterparts as calls for bail reform increase after the killing of an Ontario police officer. “I believe our bail system is strong and sound. But we are always open to suggestions for improvements, both in terms…


Opposition Parties Signal Support for Bill Seeking to Delay MAID Expansion

MPs have begun debate in the House of Commons on the Liberal government’s proposed bill to delay until next year the expansion of eligibility for receiving medical assistance in dying (MAiD). Bill C-39, sponsored by Justice Minister David Lametti, aims to amend the Criminal Code to delay the eligibility expansion until March 2024. Eligibility is currently set to…


Federal Justice Minister Orders Appeal for Manitoba Man in Murder Case

A Manitoba man who spent more than two decades behind bars is getting a new chance to overturn his murder convictions. Federal Justice Minister David Lametti has referred the case of Robert Sanderson to the Manitoba Court of Appeal for a new hearing, saying he has concluded there was likely a miscarriage of justice. Sanderson…


Justice Minister Says Federal Government Giving Bail Reform ‘Serious Consideration’

Justice Minister David Lametti says he is giving “serious consideration” to reforming Canada’s bail laws in response to a request from premiers to make changes. Provincial premiers unanimously called on the Liberal government in a letter to take “immediate action” on the bail system earlier this year. The letter from premiers says there are a…


Government Will Seek to Delay MAID Expansion as Quickly as Possible in New Session, Says Justice Minister

The federal government will introduce legislation aimed at delaying the eligibility expansion for medical assistance in dying (MAID) “as quickly as possible,” says Justice Minister David Lametti. Canada’s laws dictating who can access MAID are currently set to expand on March 17 to include individuals whose only medical conditions are mental illnesses. However, the Liberal government…


Faith-Based Think Tank Says Minister Lametti’s Remarks About Assisted Suicide ‘Dehumanizing’

A Canadian think tank is calling on Justice Minister David Lametti to explain comments he made last month about medical assistance in dying, or MAiD, being a “more humane way” to die than self-administered suicide. Lametti made the comments on Nov. 18 while speaking on the Toronto Star podcast “It’s Political,” during which he also…


Quebec Court Says Justice Minister’s Intervention on Judge Bilingualism Illegal

MONTREAL—The Quebec Superior Court has ruled that the province’s justice minister does not get to decide whether judges can be required to speak English as well as French. The case was centred around half a dozen Quebec court judge postings in Montreal and surrounding areas, where Chief Judge Lucie Rondeau deemed it necessary that candidates…


Kenney Relieves Justice Minister of Duties, Orders Investigation Into Police Call

EDMONTON—Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has relieved Justice Minister Kaycee Madu of his duties after it came to light that Madu called Edmonton’s police chief about a traffic ticket. Kenney says while all parties agree Madu never asked Chief Dale McFee to cancel the ticket last March, there’s a bigger issue at play. “It’s essential the…