Canada’s newest Supreme Court justice says trust in the court depends on clear communication with the public.
A welcoming ceremony was held today for Judge Mary Moreau, who was sworn in as a Supreme Court justice in November.
Her appointment means that for the first time in its history, the majority of the Supreme Court’s nine justices are women.
Moreau says Canadians need to be able to see themselves in the justice system without feeling marginalized or left out.
And she says she’s proud that the court is trying to make its work more accessible to the public, using plain language on its website and in decision summaries and streaming its hearings online.
She says Canada’s laws respect human rights and must be interpreted in a timely, open and accessible process.
Moreau comes to the Supreme Court after serving as chief justice of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta.
She also previously chaired the Judicial Advisory Committee for the Appointments of Military Judges and was a member of the Canadian Judicial Council for seven years.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 19, 2024.
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