Minister Wilson-Raybould speaks to world's leading female judges on building bridges with Indigenous peoples

News release

May 4, 2018 – Buenos Aires, Argentina - Department of Justice Canada

Canada is a leading voice internationally for the promotion of judicial diversity and independence.

This week, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, attended and addressed the 14th Biennial Conference of the International Association of Women Judges. She spoke to the 900 international delegates about the positive impacts of a diverse, representative judiciary, including its contribution to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. The Minister’s session was titled: “Building Bridges with Judges who belong to and/or serve Indigenous Communities.”

The conference was attended by women judges from 68 countries. Among the participants was an important contingent of judges from across Canada, including Justice Andromache Karakatsanis and Justice Sheilah Martin of the Supreme Court of Canada. The conference focused on developments in gender-based violence law, human trafficking, international child abduction, and ruling with a gender perspective, among other topics.

While in Argentina, Minister Wilson-Raybould met with her Argentine counterpart, Minister Germán Garavano, to discuss matters of interest, including criminal justice reforms and general cooperation on justice-related issues. She also held a roundtable discussion with Argentine justice-sector stakeholders.

Quotes

“I was pleased to join women judges from around the world to learn from their experiences and to share my Canadian perspective with them. I am proud of the fact that, over the past two years, the Government of Canada has made 175 judicial appointments and elevations. More than half of these judges are women, 8 are Indigenous, 15 are visible minorities, and 9 identify as LGBTQ2. The face of Canada is being increasingly reflected in our judiciary.”


The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C. Q.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

Quick facts

  • The International Association of Women Judges has now held 14 conferences biennially throughout the world. This was Minister Wilson-Raybould’s first address to the Association. And this was the Association’s first meeting in South America. 

  • Gender equality, including having more women involved in professional leadership roles such as holding judicial office, is a top priority of Canada’s G7 Presidency. 

  • Since June 2016, the Government of Canada has made 175 judicial appointments and elevations. Of these, 98 judges (or 56%) were women. 

Associated links

Contacts

For more information, media may contact:

David Taylor
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca

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