Insights into the Intertwining of Politics and the Law in Ontario's Justice System

PREP Podcaster - ”Success Favours The PREPared Mind”

March 12, 2024 - Participants Include:

Doug Judson - Judson Howie

Norman Douglass - Retired Ontario Judge

Dan Lang - Compassionate Justice Toronto

Jim Black - Compassionate Justice Toronto

Ben Levin - Compassionaste Justice Toronto

John Richardson - Compassionate Justice Toronto

On February 23, 2024 the Toronto Star reported that Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced his intention to appoint "like minded judges" to Ontario's Provincial Courts. His statement (widely reported by the media) was controversial. At a minimum it suggested an intention to politicize the judicial process - eroding the independence of the judicial system.

Jeff Gray writing for the Globe and Mail in February 23, 2024:

"Ontario Premier Doug Ford says he has the right to choose “like-minded” conservative judges and defended his installation of two former senior political aides on the government’s judicial appointments committee – the latest in a series of moves critics say is politicizing the province’s courts.

Lawyers groups and opposition politicians raised alarms about the Premier’s comments on Friday, saying they amount to a rejection of judicial independence, undermine public confidence in the courts and set a course toward a U.S.-style partisan justice system.

Mr. Ford was unrepentant when asked about a Toronto Star story that his government had put two of his former senior political aides on the province’s Judicial Appointments Advisory Committee, which vets and shortlists candidates for Attorney-General Doug Downey to name to the Ontario Court of Justice."

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AI Description ...

"In this compelling podcast episode, a seasoned panel of legal experts, including retired judges and practicing lawyers, delves into crucial topics like judicial appointments, the independence of the judiciary in Ontario, and potential political influences on legal decisions. The conversation sheds light on the controversial prospect of appointing "like-minded judges", a statement attributed to Ontario's Premier Doug Ford.

An interesting narrative emerges as Doug Judson, Chair of the Federation of Ontario Law Associations, retired Judge Norman Douglass and other panelists such as Dan Lang, Jim Black, and Ben Levin intricately break down the recent changes to the judicial selection process and its potential implications on the justice system. The dialogue goes further to decipher the media's impact on public perception of crime, justice, and law enforcement, probing the dangerous possibilities of a distorted perspective.

Highlighting the utmost importance of an independent judiciary in a healthy democracy, this podcast delves into the room for political interference, the broad-brushing of the judiciary, and the necessity for balance across various sectors within the legal framework. The conversation wraps up exploring aspects of resource allocation, the viability of drug treatment courts over creating more jails, the call for more diversity in the bench, and an overall comprehensive outlook of a just criminal justice system.

Join this enlightening conversation, presenting an in-depth analysis of the justice system, the indispensable role of public discourse, and the future of the judiciary in Ontario."