As Supreme Court justice faces complaint, bill would change handling of allegations

OTTAWA — A new law working its way through Parliament could soon change the process for handling allegations against judges — even as a Supreme Court justice remains on leave while a complaint against him is reviewed.

Justice Minister David Lametti says that if it passes, Bill C-9 would amend the Judges Act to create a new process for the Canadian Judicial Council to review misconduct allegations that are not serious enough to warrant a judge’s removal.

The bill, which is currently being considered by the Senate, would also clarify the circumstances under which a judge can be removed, and change the way the council reports its recommendations to the minister.

The council announced Monday it is reviewing a complaint about the conduct of Supreme Court Justice Russell Brown, but it did not disclose the nature of the allegation.