Quebec judge should stay on bench, probe says

MONTREAL— A Quebec Superior Court justice should be allowed to return to the bench, the Canadian Judicial Council has concluded following a probe into serious allegations.

The recommendation regarding the fate of Michel Girouard goes against that of a panel convened by the judicial watchdog that ruled last November his return should be blocked. The three-member panel ruled 2-1 in favour of Girouard’s removal last November — not because the allegations against him were founded — but because of his conduct during the hearings. Two members — Paul Crampton, chief justice of the Federal Court, and Ronald LeBlanc, a Quebec lawyer — concluded that inconsistencies and contradictions in his testimony raised questions about Girouard’s credibility.

They wrote that despite his impeccable record as a judge, a return to the bench would undermine public confidence

The chair of the inquiry panel, Manitoba Chief Justice Richard Chartier, was opposed, saying Girouard could not be punished for something he was not accused of.

In a statement released Wednesday, the council said the panel’s decision had been reviewed and rejected because it was not relayed to Girouard to give him a chance to respond.

The report has been submitted to Justice Minister Jody WilsonRaybould, who will make the final call on Girouard’s reinstatement.

An unnamed police informant alleged in 2012 that Girouard, while working as a lawyer, bought cocaine from him.

François Rolland, then-chief justice of Quebec Superior Court, asked the council to investigate and Girouard was suspended with pay in January 2013.