The Canadian Bar Association welcomes the Supreme Court of Canada’s decision to go hold occasional hearings outside Ottawa. The court announced on Monday that it would be hearing two cases, a criminal law appeal from Manitoba and a language rights appeal from British Columbia, this fall in Winnipeg.
The CBA believes holding selected hearings outside of the Supreme Court itself is a way of enhancing public appreciation of Canada’s law and democratic institutions, especially as these hearings will be accompanied by opportunities for public engagement and education.
“Additional dimensions of understanding and appreciations of the SCC’s work are available to those who are able to attend (court hearings) in person,” CBA President Ray Adlington wrote in a letter to the Chief Justice in February.