Canada's top court is expanding its public outreach to build trust at a time of increasing misinformation as more people get their news from social media.
Chief Justice Richard Wagner and other justices of the Supreme Court of Canada launched a cross-country tour in Victoria, B.C., on Monday to mark the court's 150th anniversary.
The high court needs to do more now than it did 25 years ago to inform the public about what the court is doing and how its decisions will affect the lives of Canadians, Wagner said.
The Supreme Court of Canada was established in 1875 and is the final court of appeal that has made groundbreaking decisions on topics such as abortion, marriage and medically assisted suicide.
"It's very difficult for people to have trust if they don't understand something or any institution," Wagner said.
This is one reason the Supreme Court of Canada is increasing its efforts to inform the public what it does as well as how and why, he said.
"I think it will increase, improve, or maintain the trust of the people in our institution," Wagner said, adding there is more and more "misinformation and disinformation" circulating in the public due to social media.
Three of the nine judges who sit on the high court attended the Victoria events.
"We often joke that it's like being in an arranged marriage with nine spouses," said Justice Andromache Karakatsanis.
"We're together every day for every case. Sometimes we agree, sometimes we don't agree, and we have good, sometimes spirited discussions."
The collegiality that they have is important to collective decision making, she said.
"The dynamics are as you would expect when you've got nine independent, smart people who feel strongly about a case. We have a good debate and I enjoy working with my colleagues," Karakatsanis said.
During the justices' two days in Victoria, they will hold a public forum and meet with students, professors, the legal community and First Nations.
The road show will be in Moncton, N.B., on March 10 and 11. Later in the year, they will visit Yellowknife, Sherbrooke, Que. and Thunder Bay, Ont.
"Trust is essential in a democracy. It must be earned and maintained through openness and transparency," Wagner said.
