Ministers of Justice and Attorneys General for Canada and Quebec Request New Canadian Judicial Council Inquiry in the matter of Justice Girouard

News Release

June 13, 2016 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Stéphanie Vallée, Minister of Justice and Attorney General for Quebec, have asked the Canadian Judicial Council for a new inquiry into the conduct of the Honourable Justice Michel Girouard of the Superior Court of Quebec.

In its recent report to Minister Wilson-Raybould, the Council recommended Justice Girouard not be removed from office, despite concerns expressed by the Inquiry Committee about his actions during the Committee's investigation. Given the important purpose of the judicial discipline process, the critical role of integrity in ensuring public confidence in the judiciary, and the need to ensure fairness to Justice Girouard, the Ministers agree that the best course of action is to jointly request, pursuant to s. 63(1) of the Judges Act, that an inquiry be held into the findings of the majority of the Inquiry Committee that prompted it to recommend his removal.

The Ministers appreciate the Council's efforts to date in this difficult matter and look forward to receiving its further views.

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