After years of criminal cases falling through the cracks, Ottawa has been filling judicial openings at a blistering pace.
What happened: The federal government has appointed a record 124 judges so far this year, cutting the number of judicial vacancies in the country by more than half. Federal judge vacancies are now down to 39 compared to a nearly two-decade high of 92 last year.
- Back in February, the Federal Court ordered Ottawa to appoint more judges after a shortage created an “untenable and appalling crisis” in Canada’s legal system.
Why it matters: The new roster of judges should alleviate some of the pressure that has hampered Canada’s judicial system and led to hundreds of criminal cases — including those involving gun charges, sexual assaults, and human trafficking — to be thrown out.
- In Alberta, nearly a quarter of criminal cases exceed the 30-month window for trying a case, and more than 90% of those cases include “serious and violent” crimes.
Yes, but: Even with a full(ish) slate of judges at the moment, experts say hiring remains a challenge, especially in more expensive cities like Toronto and Vancouver where practising as a lawyer can be far more lucrative than a seat on the bench.—LA