On behalf of the Canadian Bar Association, I congratulate the Hon. Paul Crampton on his retirement as Chief Justice of the Federal Court.
Justice Crampton’s 14 years in that role were the culmination of a distinguished career in the public and private sectors, in Canada and abroad.
As Chief Justice, he notably played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, upholding the open courts principle while maintaining high standards for health and safety. This was made easier both by his management style, which emphasized communication, empathy, and flexibility, as well as by the fact that he had already been leading efforts toward digital modernization well before the pandemic struck.
The CBA also salutes Justice Crampton’s efforts to secure reliable, adequate resources for Canadian courts, in the interest of ensuring access to justice and preserving the rule of law.
I thank Justice Crampton for his immense contributions to our profession and our country, and wish him the very best as he embarks on this new chapter of his life.
