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

Leger poll: Carney as leader would have Liberals tied with Conservatives

A new poll suggests that if Mark Carney wins the Liberal leadership race, he would erase the massive lead the Conservatives have enjoyed for the past year and a half. A Leger survey suggests a Carney-led party would boost Liberal support by six points to 37 per cent, putting them in a dead heat with the Tories.

Leger poll: Carney as leader would have Liberals tied with Conservatives

B.C. elementary music teacher suspended after child pornography charge

A Vancouver Island school district says an elementary school teacher has been charged with accessing child pornography. Court records show the man faces a charge for an offence alleged to have been committed last March in Central Saanich, B.C.

B.C. elementary music teacher suspended after child pornography charge

Teens body recovered after fall through ice on B.C.'s Shuswap Lake

The body of an 18-year-old man has been recovered from Shuswap Lake in British Columbia's Interior after he fell through the ice over the weekend. Police say in a statement that the RCMP's underwater recovery team found the teen's body on Monday.

Teens body recovered after fall through ice on B.C.'s Shuswap Lake

David Eby joins Canadian premiers on trip to U.S. to speak to lawmakers about tariffs

British Columbia Premier David Eby says he believes the recent tariff friction with the United States will fundamentally change the way Canadians approach trade with their southern neighbours, and things "will never go back to the way that we were before."

David Eby joins Canadian premiers on trip to U.S. to speak to lawmakers about tariffs

B.C. man found guilty in 2022 double homicide, attempted murder

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team says a man has been found guilty of a double murder and an attempted murder that happened in Surrey more than two years ago. It says that, on July 30, 2022, police responded to reports of a shooting at the South Surrey Athletic Park and found three people suffering from gunshot wounds.

B.C. man found guilty in 2022 double homicide, attempted murder

Freeland announces plan to cap grocery profits, expand competition

Liberal leadership candidate Chrystia Freeland has pitched a plan to lower food prices, tackling a key part of the cost-of-living issue that plagued her for much of her time as minister of finance. Her affordability plan includes a promise to cap profit margins for grocers on essential items, including eggs, milk, vegetables and baby formula.