National

Chief justice says rule of law, judicial independence defend Canada from autocracy

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 06 Oct, 2025 08:41 AM

Chief Justice Richard Wagner says that while Canada is not a superpower in the traditional sense of the word, it is certainly a democratic superpower.

Wagner told dignitaries at the Supreme Court of Canada today that the country's legal community is united in a deep conviction that the rule of law and judicial independence are not abstract concepts.

He said these tenets are the best defence against tyranny and autocracy.

Wagner addressed today's ceremonial opening of the top court's judicial year — the first such event since September 1986.

Justice Minister Sean Fraser, lawyers, academics and students joined former members of the court and its staff for the occasion.

As the Supreme Court marks its 150th anniversary, Wagner called on participants to affirm the principles of the rule of law, judicial independence and equal access to justice.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

As Trump's trade war begins, his team links his tariff agenda to drug trafficking

As market turbulence rattled some Washington lawmakers, U.S. President Donald Trump's closest advisers fanned out to TV news programs Tuesday to claim a link between economywide tariffs on Canada and Mexico and fentanyl trafficking. The president's executive order hitting Canada and Mexico with 25 per cent across-the-board tariffs, with a lower 10 per cent levy on Canadian energy, took effect Tuesday.

As Trump's trade war begins, his team links his tariff agenda to drug trafficking

Trudeau says he and the new Liberal leader will decide on his last day in office

With the Liberal party set to announce its new leader within days, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says his last day in office will be determined by himself and his replacement. Responding to questions about U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs at a press conference today, Trudeau says a conversation will take place to decide how long of a transition the government needs.

Trudeau says he and the new Liberal leader will decide on his last day in office

Trudeau says the U.S. launched a 'very dumb' trade war and Canada is fighting back

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the U.S. has launched a "dumb" continental trade war and Canada is fighting back. He said Canada is immediately introducing 25 per cent retaliatory tariffs on $30 billion worth of American products, and will expand them to cover another $125 billion in U.S. goods in 21 days.

Trudeau says the U.S. launched a 'very dumb' trade war and Canada is fighting back

Canadian recession looms this year if U.S. tariffs stay in place: economists

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said Canada's response will include retaliatory tariffs on $155 billion worth of American goods. That will include tariffs on $30 billion worth of goods immediately and tariffs on the remaining $125 billion worth of American products 21 days later.

Canadian recession looms this year if U.S. tariffs stay in place: economists

U.S. tariffs set to slow pace of homebuilding in Canada: CHBA

Canada's building industry says a trade war with the United States will slow down the pace of home construction. Canadian Home Builders' Association CEO Kevin Lee says the U.S. tariffs levied against Canada today will have a "muted" impact on the industry on their own.

U.S. tariffs set to slow pace of homebuilding in Canada: CHBA

Canada and U.S. stock markets plunge for a second day after trade war launched

North American stock markets plunged for a second day as the U.S. imposed broad tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico, triggering a continental trade war. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 547.26 points at 24,454.31, after U.S. President Donald Trump's executive order implementing the tariffs took effect at just after midnight.