Ref. re Remuneration of Judges of Prov. Court of PEI; Ref. re Independence & Impartiality of Judges of Prov. Court of PEI; R. v. Campbell; R. v. Ekmecic; R. v. Wickman; Manitoba Prov. Judges Assn. v. Manitoba (Min. of Justice)

Ref. re Remuneration of Judges of Prov. Court of PEI; Ref. re Independence & Impartiality of Judges of Prov. Court of PEI; R. v. Campbell; R. v. Ekmecic; R. v. Wickman; Manitoba Prov. Judges Assn. v. Manitoba (Min. of Justice)

The Court granted the requested extension: the suspension of the requirement for an independent, objective and effective remuneration‑setting process was extended for two months from the prior expiry date, or until Royal Assent to Bill C-37 if sooner, because the extension was necessary to permit legislative action...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
[1998] 2 SCR 443
Parties
Appellants (p.e.i. References): Merlin McDonald; Omer Pineau; Robert Christie; Respondent (p.e.i. References): Attorney General of Prince Edward Island; Appellant (criminal Appeals): Her Majesty The Queen; Respondent (criminal Appeal): Shawn Carl Campbell; Respondent (criminal Appeal): Ivica Ekmecic; Respondent (criminal Appeal): Percy Dwight Wickman; Appellants (manitoba): Judges of the Provincial Court of Manitoba (Marvin Garfinkel et al.); Respondent (manitoba): Her Majesty The Queen in right of the Province of Manitoba; Intervener: Attorney General of Canada; Intervener: Attorney General of Quebec; Intervener: Attorney General for Saskatchewan; Intervener: Attorney General for Alberta; Intervener: Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges; Intervener: Conférence des juges du Québec; Intervener: Alberta Provincial Judges' Association; Intervener: Canadian Judges Conference; Intervener: Attorney General of British Columbia; Intervener: Attorney General of Newfoundland
Court
Supreme Court of Canada
Jurisdiction
Canada
Judgment Date
15 September 1998
Procedural Posture
Reference and Consolidated Appeals (constitutional Reference and Criminal Appeals) / Motion to Extend Suspension of Judgment Following Reference Decision; Judgment on Motion to Extend Transition Suspension
Outcome
Motion granted.
Legal Topics
Judicial Remuneration, Independence and Impartiality of Judges, Suspension of Judgment, Reference Procedure, Legislative Compliance
Source Language
english
Constitutional Law Administrative Law Criminal Law Labour/employment Law Judicial Independence Judicial Remuneration Independence and Impartiality of Judges Suspension of Judgment +2 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Legal principles 3 Authorities cited 7 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 2
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Merlin McDonald; Omer Pineau; Robert Christie

Appellants (p.e.i. References)

Attorney General of Prince Edward Island

Respondent (p.e.i. References)

Her Majesty The Queen

Appellant (criminal Appeals)

Shawn Carl Campbell

Respondent (criminal Appeal)

Ivica Ekmecic

Respondent (criminal Appeal)

Percy Dwight Wickman

Respondent (criminal Appeal)

Judges of the Provincial Court of Manitoba (Marvin Garfinkel et al.)

Appellants (manitoba)

Her Majesty The Queen in right of the Province of Manitoba

Respondent (manitoba)

Attorney General of Canada

Intervener

Attorney General of Quebec

Intervener

Attorney General for Saskatchewan

Intervener

Attorney General for Alberta

Intervener

Canadian Association of Provincial Court Judges

Intervener

Conférence des juges du Québec

Intervener

Alberta Provincial Judges' Association

Intervener

Canadian Judges Conference

Intervener

Attorney General of British Columbia

Intervener

Attorney General of Newfoundland

Intervener

Procedural Posture

Reference and Consolidated Appeals (constitutional Reference and Criminal Appeals) / Motion to Extend Suspension of Judgment Following Reference Decision; Judgment on Motion to Extend Transition Suspension

  1. 1 Whether the Court should extend the previously granted suspension of the constitutional requirement for an independent, objective and effective process for setting judicial remuneration
  2. 2 Whether the extension is justified to permit passage of federal legislation (Bill C-37) and avoid disruption to the administration of justice
  3. 3 Scope of provincial and federal responsibilities and the legislature's jurisdiction in relation to judicial remuneration

Ratio Decidendi

The Court granted the requested extension: the suspension of the requirement for an independent, objective and effective remuneration‑setting process was extended for two months from the prior expiry date, or until Royal Assent to Bill C-37 if sooner, because the extension was necessary to permit legislative action and avoid disruption to the administration of justice.

Court Disposition

Motion granted.

Orders

  • Extend the suspension of the Court's remedial requirement granted Feb 10, 1998 for a period of two months from the previous suspension expiry or until the day Bill C-37 (An Act to Amend the Judges Act) receives Royal Assent, whichever is sooner.