Canada’s top court to hold Zoom hearings to keep justice flowing

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada will for the first time hold its hearings entirely remotely, convening using Zoom video software next week to keep justice moving despite COVID-19 restrictions.

The imposing building of Canada’s top court in Ottawa, overlooking the Ottawa River, remains closed to visitors to curtail coronavirus spread.

On Tuesday, nonetheless, the nine justices will again don their flowing black robes and white collars and bands, but instead of walking in a line into the majestic main courtroom and sitting in red leather chairs backed by black walnut walls, each will turn on their computer and log in, either in their office or from home.

Similarly, lawyers presenting arguments to the court will be robed, but sitting at computers of their own, wherever they may be.

Barring technical difficulty — the chance of which has been reduced by several dry runs and security protocols — Chief Justice Richard Wagner will call the court’s first remote hearing to order.

“While the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to close our building to physical visitors for everyone’s health and safety, it hasn’t stopped us from doing our work,” Wagner said in a statement.

“We may not be able to welcome members of the public to our physical courtroom, but we are excited to invite everyone to our virtual courtroom for the first time.”

The court has been looking for ways to restart operations suspended by the pandemic.

“We’re not really trying to create anything new, just simply to ensure we can continue to hear cases and deliver justice to Canadians, as is our duty,” said Renée Thériault, executive legal officer to the chief justice.

We are following the same procedures and customs in the virtual hearing

“This is a new reality for everyone and our focus has been on the submissions, so they can proceed just as they would in the courtroom. We are following the same procedures and customs in the virtual hearing with all of the necessary adjustments,” she said.

“It will proceed as naturally as it can.”

The court has been breathing new life and technology into the 145-year-old institution.