Forum on Judicial Diversity

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, hosted a forum  on diversity on the federal bench.

Minister Wilson-Raybould has often highlighted “the need for a bench that more accurately reflects the country it serves.” Or more succinctly: “Diversity matters.” But what challenges do lawyers from minority backgrounds face in applying to the bench? How does the appointment process work? What should lawyers know about submitting an application? And what can the legal community do to foster greater diversity on the bench?

This forum will bring together lawyers and judges with the Minister to share information, experiences, and reflections on achieving a more representative judiciary.

The event was held on Thursday, October 25 @ 6:00pm – 7:30pm at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law

AGENDA

Facilitator

Edward Iacobucci (Dean and Professor of Law, University of Toronto)

Remarks

The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P.

Panel Discussion

The Honourable Michael H. Tulloch (Court of Appeal for Ontario)

The Honourable Michelle O’Bonsawin (Ontario Superior Court of Justice)

The Honourable Sandra Nishikawa (Ontario Superior Court of Justice)

Bruce Rivers (Executive Director of Covenant House and member of the Judicial Advisory Committee for Ontario GTA)

Q&A Session with Panellists and Minister Wilson-Raybould

From Left: Veronica Marson (President, Canadian Hispanic Bar Association (CHBA)), Rosemarie Mercury, Omar Ha-Redeye, The Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, P.C., Q.C., M.P.