FREDERICTON — A national judicial review body has ruled a New Brunswick judge used his authority inappropriately during an interaction with a junior lawyer. The Canadian Judicial Council review panel says Justice Frederick Ferguson discussed privileged information with the lawyer and made comments intended to influence an upcoming recusal motion. The review body ordered Ferguson to send a written apology to the junior lawyer within 60 days and provide it with a copy. It also issued a public expression of concern, saying the judge engaged in “questionable” conduct. The ruling came after a complaint from a New Brunswick lawyer alleging several acts of misconduct by Ferguson. The panel says there was no reasonable basis on which Ferguson’s removal from office could be justified in the circumstances. The panel dismissed allegations that Ferguson was abusive towards other lawyers and made sexist comments in court, among other accusations. The review states that Ferguson said he was not intending interfere with the upcoming recusal motion, but he should not have put himself in a position where he could be perceived as doing so. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 12, 2026. Eli Ridder, The Canadian Press
