Top court justice says he suffered panic attack
Clément Gascon’s family reported him missing last week
OTTAWA— Supreme Court of Canada Justice Clément Gascon revealed Tuesday he has suffered from depression and anxiety for more than 20 years, but says he is back on the job and will fulfil his duties as a judge until the end of the spring session.
Gascon had announced previously he would retire on Sept. 15, before the next court sittings start.
In a frank statement issued Tuesday, Gascon said he had what he believes was a panic attack before his family called police last week to report him missing. Gascon acknowledged that as a judge of the country’s top court, he owes “certain explanations” to the public for his unusual behaviour, and gave a window onto his personal life that was striking for its candour.
“For over 20 years, I have been dealing with a sometimes insidious illness: depression and anxiety disorders. This is an illness that can be treated and controlled, some days better than others,” Gascon wrote.
He said that on May 8, he was “affected” by his own recent announcement of “a difficult and heart-rending career decision (to retire) and by a change in medication.”
“I conducted myself in an unprecedented and unaccustomed manner by going out without warning and remaining out of touch for several hours. I can neither explain nor justify what I understand to have been a panic attack, and I wish to apologize most profusely to all those who suffered as a result. This health issue has been taken care of and treated with the necessary medical support. I confirm that I am in good health, and am fully capable of performing my duties as a judge,” Gascon wrote.
He thanked his family, colleagues, friends and “all the others who have supported me through this trying time.”
“Although I know that I cannot erase what happened, I wish to put it behind me and look ahead. I have learned important lessons from it and will continue to do so over time, and with the necessary patience and assistance on which I know I can count.”
On Tuesday evening, Chief Justice Richard Wagner spoke to reporters and expressed his support for Gascon. “I think it takes a lot of courage” for a judge to make such a statement, he said. “I am extremely proud of my colleague.”
Wagner confirmed that Gascon will continue to hear cases until his retirement and that the court had complete faith in his abilities.
Gascon’s public admission stands in contrast to how a predecessor on the top court, Gerald Le Dain, wrestled with his personal struggles with depression, a condition that was not revealed publicly until a recent documentary chronicled his fight.