‘Knees together’ judge quits after rebuke from judicial body

ROBIN CAMP

OTTAWA • A judge who asked a sexual assault complainant in a trial why she couldn’t keep her knees together quit Thursday after a scathing rebuke from the body that oversees the Canadian judiciary.

Justice Robin Camp said in a statement he would step down as a member of the Federal Court effective Friday.

“I would like to express my sincere apology to everyone who was hurt by my comments,” Camp said in the statement. “I thank everyone who was generous and kind to me and my family in the last 15 months, particularly my legal team.”

The move came after the Canadian Judicial Council recommended that Camp be removed from the bench, because his conduct was “manifestly and profoundly destructive” to the impartiality and integrity of the judiciary.

The council’s decision supported a recommendation in November by a disciplinary panel that was reviewing the original sexual assault trial of Alexander Wagar.

Court transcripts from the 2014 trial in Calgary show that Camp, who was a provincial court judge at the time, called the complainant “the accused” numerous times and told her “pain and sex sometimes go together.”

He questioned the complainant’s morals and suggested her attempts to fight off the man were feeble. Camp found Wagar not guilty, but the Appeal Court ordered a new trial. Last month, Wagar was acquitted again.

The council said that Canadians expect their judges to know the law, have empathy and to recognize and question any past personal attitudes that might prevent them from acting fairly.

“Judges are expected to demonstrate knowledge of social issues, and awareness of changes in social values, humility, tolerance and respect for others,” the council said in its report.

Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould said the government planned to have Camp removed had he not quit.

“It is and was the government’s intention to move on the recommendation ... to ensure the integrity and public confidence in the justice system,” she said.

Kim Stanton of the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund welcomed Camp’s resignation.

“It is simply appropriate that Justice Camp should resign,” she said in an email.