Fred Headon, the President of the Canadian Bar Association, publicly reinforced the importance of the Canadian
judicial system in an interview last week with CBC Radio. Mr.
Headon's comments come after increasing criticism of the
judicial system by Members of Parliament concerned about the
judiciary's independence from Parliament.
Mr. Headon reaffirmed the role of the courts, stating, "the
courts are essential and integral to a democracy. They play a very
important role in the citizens' ability to see that justice is
done, to protect their rights and to see that laws are adopted and
applied properly."
Mr. Headon's interview with CBC was a reply to Conservative
MP Dan Albas' recent comments claiming that organizations are
using litigation to change legislation. Mr. Albas was recently quoted by CBC saying, "Often the
Plan B is to do an end-run around our democratic process and turn
to the courts where it seems some judges are quite happy to engage.
This can result in
