Registration & Continental Breakfast

Welcome & Opening Remarks
Steeves Bujold, President, Canadian Bar Association

Keynote Address

Hear from the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C., Chief Justice of Canada as he frames the discussion on two panels moderated by Jennifer Ditchburn, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Institute on Public Policy.

The Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C. Chief Justice of Canada

Remarks

Shalene Curtis-Micallef Deputy Minister of Justice and Deputy Attorney General of Canada

Crisis of Confidence: The Role of Media & An Informed Public in Upholding Democratic Institutions

Judicial independence is a matter of trust. Appropriate media coverage of judicial rulings, as well as education and knowledge are at the core of this public trust – a trust that is essential to Canada’s justice system. At the same time, the right to comment on and even criticize the legal system and decisions of the courts is part of our democratic process. But when does the message turn from education to disinformation and begin to harm public confidence in the judicial system?

Our distinguished panel of judges and media experts will discuss the importance of free speech and the right to criticize legal decisions, while examining what can be done in a free and democratic society to counteract the negative effects of the spread of disinformation.

	Panelist The Honourable Glenn D. Joyal Chief Justice of Court of the King’s Bench Manitoba
	Panelist Patrick Bourbeau President, Canadian Media Lawyers Association
	Panelist Althia Raj Toronto Star
	Moderator Jennifer Ditchburn President & CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy

More panellists will be added as they are confirmed. This session will be followed by your chance to ask the panel questions.

Questions and Answers

Health Break

Strengthening Judicial Independence

Judicial independence is for the benefit of citizens, not judges. But threats to it in an era of polarization and underfunded justice can sows seeds of doubt in the judiciary’s ability to deliver high standards of fair and impartial justice. To address these challenges, our panel will share their insights on how judicial independence can be preserved and strengthened. They will explore solutions that support a better functioning justice system and ways to promote greater public trust in the judiciary.

	Panelist The Honourable Michael Tulloch Chief Justice of Ontario
	Panelist The Honourable Marie-Anne Paquette Chief Justice of the Superior Court of Quebec
	Panelist The Honourable Paul Favel Federal Court of Canada Judge
	Panelist The Honourable Michèle Monast President, Canadian Superior Court Judges Association
	Moderator Jennifer Ditchburn President & CEO of the Institute for Research on Public Policy

More panelists will be added as they are confirmed. This session will be followed by your chance to ask the panel questions.

Questions and Answers

Closing Remarks

Luncheon with Indigenous Celebrations
(to be served in the Laurier Room)

Following the panels, please join us to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day with a performance by Indigenous Drum Group SpiritWolf Singers.

SpiritWolf Singers is comprised of local artists who’ve known each other for over 25 years and who all share the love of the drum and singing. They are brothers and cousins of survivors of the residential school system who show their resilience by keeping the tradition of song alive.