Judges need public oversight

Many professionals, such as doctors and lawyers, are routinely judged by their peers. But these disciplinary bodies blend their expert peers with citizens from other backgrounds.

So what about the people who have remarkable powers to alter the lives of Canadians by presiding over our courtrooms?

The investigations system for federally appointed judges is managed by the Canadian Judicial Council. But the Department of Justice has also asked for public feedback on how it ought to oversee these judges. One legal group is urging that the process involve more regular Canadians.

This discussion comes as the judicial council investigates Robin Camp, an Alberta justice who asked an alleged rape victim: “Why couldn’t you just keep your knees together?”

Each year, the judicial council receives roughly 200 complaints, most dealt with in 90 days. Many, such as crankiness about a ruling, are not grounds for an investigation. But the ones that lead to inquiries can involve some offence to public mores.

That’s one reason to involve laypeople. If we trust Canadians enough to put them on a jury that could send someone to prison, we can trust them to evaluate a judge’s conduct.