TORONTO -- The Supreme Court of Canada is sitting outside of Ottawa for the first time in its history, in an attempt to make the institution more accessible to everyday Canadians.
“It is hard to have faith in something if you don’t understand it,” said Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner inside a courtroom on Monday. “This is why I believe it is so important to see how the justice system works up close and in person. That is why we are here.”
The court’s nine judges are visiting Winnipeg over four days, from Sept. 23 to 27, and will hear two cases – a criminal trial rights case and a language education rights case for French speakers in British Columbia.
“It’s significant because the Supreme Court has been making efforts for a long time now to modernize their approach in terms of access for Canadians to be able to see the [Court’s] work in action,” said Law Society of Manitoba President Anita Southall on CTV News Channel Monday.
The court will also start streaming hearings, publishing decision summaries and videos online.
“I hope we can bring the court closer to Canadians,” Wagner said.
Southall said there are many reasons for the court to choose Manitoba, but a major one is “the outreach to Indigenous and First Nation communities here…and to address long standing issues of injustice that of course we’ve heard and read about in regards to [the] TRC (Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada) and the MMIW reports.”
There will be a public question and answer session that is open to everyone at the Human Rights Museum, as well as public gallery access for the two cases being heard before the court, Southall said.
All nine judges will be visiting various communities throughout the week. They will speak to high school students and hold meetings with Indigenous and Metis leaders.
“Canadian people should see themselves in their courts and in the Supreme Court,” Wagner said. “If only for that reason, I would hope that one day we would be able to sit with a colleague of Indigenous origin.”
“I think it’s very exciting for Manitobans,” Southall said. “It’s definitely getting some interest, they have a very detailed plan associated with the public being able to participate in the hearing process.”
Canadians on social media can follow the hashtag #SCCinWinnipeg for real-time updates.
