SOMMAIRE

This enactment amends the Judges Act to replace the process through which the conduct of federally appointed judges is reviewed by the Canadian Judicial Council. It establishes a new process for reviewing allegations of misconduct that are not serious enough to warrant a judge’s removal from office and makes changes to the process by which recommendations regarding removal from office can be made to the Minister of Justice. As with the provisions it replaces, this new process also applies to persons, other than judges, who are appointed under an Act of Parliament to hold office during good behaviour.

Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

L.‍R.‍, ch. J-1

Loi sur les juges

1 L’article 2 de la Loi sur les juges est modifié par adjonction, selon l’ordre alphabétique, de ce qui suit :

Commissioner means the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs referred to in section 73; (commissaire)

Minister means the Minister of Justice of Canada; (ministre)

2014, ch. 39, art. 317

2 Le paragraphe 2.‍1(1) de la même loi est remplacé par ce qui suit :

Application to prothonotaries

2.‍1 (1) Subject to subsection (2), sections 26 to 26.‍3, 34 and 39, paragraphs 40(1)‍(a) and (b), subsection 40(2), sections 41, 41.‍2 to 42, 43.‍1 to 56 and 57 and Début de l'insertion Part IV Fin de l'insertion also apply to a prothonotary of the Federal Court.

2006, ch. 11, art. 15

3 La définition de ministre, à l’article 52.‍1 de la même loi, est abrogée.

2006, ch. 11, art. 16

4 (1) Le paragraphe 53(1) de la même loi est remplacé par ce qui suit :

Amounts payable out of C.‍R.‍F.

53 (1) The salaries, allowances and annuities payable under Début de l'insertion Parts I to III Fin de l'insertion and the amounts payable under sections 46.‍1, 51 and 52.‍15 shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

(2) Les paragraphes 53(2) et (3) de la version anglaise de la même loi sont remplacés par ce qui suit :

Prorating

(2) For any period less than a year, the salaries and annuities payable shall be paid pro rata.

Monthly instalments

(3) The salaries and annuities payable shall be paid by monthly instalments.

5 L’article 58 de la même loi et l’intertitre « Définition » le précédant sont abrogés.

6 L’alinéa 59(1)a) de la version anglaise de la même loi est remplacé par ce qui suit :

• (a) the Chief Justice of Canada, who shall be the Début de l'insertion chairperson Fin de l'insertion of the Council;

7 Les alinéas 60(2)c) et d) de la même loi sont abrogés.

8 L’alinéa 61(3)c) de la même loi est remplacé par ce qui suit :

• Début du bloc inséré

  (c) respecting the processes and proceedings under Part IV.

  Fin du bloc inséré

L.‍R.‍, ch. 27 (2^e suppl.‍), art. 5 et 6; L.‍R.‍, ch. 16 (3^e suppl.‍), art. 5 et 6; 1992, ch. 1, par. 144(1), ann. VII, art. 37(F); 1993, ch. 34, art. 89; 2002, ch. 8, par. 106(1) et (2)‍(A) et al. 111d)‍(A) et e)‍(A); 2014, ch. 39, art. 326 et 327

9 Les articles 62 à 71 de la même loi sont remplacés par ce qui suit :

Employment of counsel and assistants

62 The Council may engage the services of Début de l'insertion any Fin de l'insertion persons Début de l'insertion that Fin de l'insertion it Début de l'insertion considers Fin de l'insertion necessary for carrying out its objects and duties, and also the services of counsel to assist the Council in the Début de l'insertion processes and proceedings under Part IV Fin de l'insertion .

10 L’article 72 de la même loi et l’intertitre « Définitions » le précédant sont abrogés.

11 La même loi est modifiée par adjonction, après l’article 78, de ce qui suit :

PART IV 

Conduct Review Process

DIVISION 1 

Complaints Concerning Judges

Definition

79 In this Division, judicial office includes the office of a prothonotary of the Federal Court.

Removal from Office

80 For the purposes of this Division, the removal from office of a judge is justified only if, for any of the following reasons, the judge’s continuation in office would undermine public confidence in the impartiality, integrity or independence of the judge or of their office to such an extent that it would render the judge incapable of executing the functions of judicial office:

Rosters

81 (1) The Council shall establish a roster of superior court judges who may be designated as members of a panel established under this Division. The judges on the roster must not be members of the Council.

(2) The number of judges on the roster is set at the discretion of the Council.

(3) The naming of a judge to the roster must be made on the recommendation of the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association.

(4) A judge named to the roster remains on it for four years unless they cease to hold judicial office or request to be removed from the roster. When the four-year term ends, the judge may be renamed to the roster on the recommendation of the Canadian Superior Courts Judges Association.

82 (1) The Council shall establish a roster of lay persons who may be designated as members of a review panel or full hearing panel established under this Division.

(2) The number of persons on the roster is set at the discretion of the Council.

(3) To be named to the roster, a person must

(4) The Council shall make public the selection criteria that it has established for the purpose of paragraph (3)‍(c).

(5) A person named to the roster of lay persons remains on it for four years unless they request to be removed from the roster or, in the opinion of the Council, they cease to meet the conditions set out in subsection (3). When the four-year term ends, the person may be renamed to the roster.

83 In naming persons to the roster of judges and to the roster of lay persons, the Council shall take into account the fact that the proceedings of panels established under this Division will be in either or both official languages.

84 As far as possible, the Council shall name persons who reflect the diversity of the Canadian population to the roster of judges and to the roster of lay persons.

85 The Council shall make the roster of judges and the roster of lay persons available to the public.

Complaints

86 (1) Complaints may be made to the Council, in the form specified by the Council, in respect of a judge of a superior court for any reason referred to in paragraphs 80(a) to (d).

(2) The Council may make a complaint only if two of its members have reasonable grounds to believe that the public’s confidence in the impartiality, integrity or independence of the judge or of the judicial office of the judge could be undermined for any reason referred to in paragraphs 80(a) to (d).

(3) A complaint may be made anonymously, but such a complaint may be dealt with only if two members of the Council have reasonable grounds to believe that the public’s confidence in the impartiality, integrity or independence of the judge or of the judicial office of the judge could be undermined for any reason referred to in paragraphs 80(a) to (d).

87 The Council shall establish policies respecting the notifying of complainants of any decisions made under this Division.

Screening Officer

88 The Council may designate as a screening officer one or more persons, including a judge, who meets the criteria specified by the Council.

89 The Council shall refer every complaint to a screening officer, other than a complaint made by the Council itself or an anonymous complaint.

90 (1) Subject to subsection (2), a screening officer may dismiss a complaint if they are of the opinion that it

(2) The Council shall make public the screening criteria that it has established for the purpose of paragraph (1)‍(c).

(3) A screening officer shall not dismiss a complaint that alleges sexual harassment or that alleges discrimination on a prohibited ground of discrimination within the meaning of the Canadian Human Rights Act.

91 If a screening officer does not dismiss a complaint, they shall refer it to the Council for the designation of a reviewing member.

Reviewing Member

92 In the case of a complaint made by the Council itself or an anonymous complaint, or on receipt of a complaint referred to it under section 91, the Council shall designate one of its members to review the complaint.

93 The reviewing member shall give the judge who is the subject of the complaint an opportunity to make written submissions about the complaint within the time limit established by the Council for the purpose of this section.

94 The reviewing member shall dismiss the complaint if they are of the opinion that it should be dismissed for any reason set out in paragraphs 90(1)‍(a) to (c) or that it is wholly without merit.

95 If the reviewing member does not dismiss the complaint, they shall refer it to the Council for the establishment of a review panel.

96 The reviewing member shall give notice of their decision to the judge who is the subject of the complaint and to the chief justice of the court of which the judge is a member.

97 After the review panel is established, the reviewing member shall provide it with every document in their possession that relates to the complaint. The reviewing member may also provide the review panel with their observations about the complaint and their recommendations about how it should be resolved.

Review Panel

98 (1) Subject to subsection (2), on receipt of a complaint referred to it under section 95, the Council shall establish a review panel consisting of the following persons designated by the Council to review the complaint:

(2) If a complaint is referred to the Council under section 95 and a review panel established to review a previous complaint involving the same judge has not yet made a decision in respect of that complaint, the Council may direct the review panel to also review the new complaint.

99 The review panel shall give the judge who is the subject of the complaint and chief justice of the court of which the judge is a member an opportunity to provide written submissions within the time limit established by the Council for the purpose of this section.

100 The review panel shall make its decision only on the basis of the substance of the complaint, any information provided under section 97, any written submissions provided under section 99 and any other document that it considers relevant.

101 The review panel shall refer the complaint to the Council for the establishment of a full hearing panel if it determines that the judge’s removal from office could be justified.

102 If the review panel does not refer the complaint to the Council under section 101, it may dismiss the complaint or take one or more of the following actions if it considers it appropriate to do so in the circumstances:

103 The review panel shall give notice of its decision and the reasons for it to

104 If the review panel takes any action under section 102, the judge who is the subject of the complaint may, within 30 days after the day on which the review panel sends the judge a notice informing the judge of its decision, request that the Council establish a reduced hearing panel to review the complaint.

105 If a reduced hearing panel or a full hearing panel is established in respect of a complaint that was before a review panel, the review panel shall provide to the presenting counsel in respect of the hearing panel all the information that was before it and the decision and reasons it provided under section 103.

Hearing Panels

106 (1) When it establishes a reduced hearing panel or a full hearing panel, the Council shall designate one of its members to designate a lawyer of at least 10 years’ standing at the bar of any province to act as presenting counsel in respect of the hearing panel.

(2) The member of the Council who designates the presenting counsel shall not be designated as any of the following:

(3) The presenting counsel may at any time be replaced by another presenting counsel designated in accordance with subsection (1).

107 The role of the presenting counsel consists of preparing a statement of allegations against a judge who is the subject of a complaint before a reduced hearing panel or full hearing panel, as the case may be, and presenting evidence. The presenting counsel is also responsible for bringing an appeal and presenting arguments in an appeal.

108 (1) The presenting council shall take instructions from the Council member who designated them.

(2) In the event of the absence or incapacity of the Council member who designated the presenting counsel, the Council may designate another Council member to give instructions to the presenting counsel.

109 In fulfilling their responsibilities, the presenting counsel shall conduct themselves in accordance with the standards and principles that govern the conduct of Crown prosecutors, with any modifications that may be necessary.

110 (1) Subject to subsection (2), on receipt of a request made under section 104, the Council shall establish a reduced hearing panel consisting of the following persons designated by it to review the complaint to which the request relates:

(2) If a request is made under section 104 by a judge who has previously made a request under that section and the reduced hearing panel established in respect of the previous request has not yet made a decision in respect of the complaint to which the previous request relates, the Council may direct the reduced hearing panel to also review the new complaint.

111 In considering the complaint, the reduced hearing panel shall not consider the decision of the review panel that caused the judge who is the subject of the complaint to make the request under section 104 or the reasons for that decision.

112 The reduced hearing panel shall refer the complaint to the Council for the establishment of a full hearing panel if it determines that the removal from office of the judge who is the subject of the complaint could be justified.

113 If the reduced hearing panel does not refer the complaint to the Council under section 112, it may dismiss the complaint or take one or more of the actions referred to in paragraphs 102(a) to (g) if it considers it appropriate to do so in the circumstances.

114 The reduced hearing panel shall give notice of its decision and the reasons for it to

115 The Council shall make public the reduced hearing panel’s decision and the reasons for it, as soon as feasible after receiving them, if the reduced hearing panel’s hearings were public. If they were not public, the Council shall make public as much of the decision and reasons as possible having regard to the reasons for holding the hearings, or part of them, in private.

116 The judge to whom the complaint relates and the presenting counsel may, within 30 days after the day on which the reduced hearing panel sends a notice of its decision to the judge or to the presenting counsel, as the case may be, file with the Council a notice appealing the decision.

117 (1) Subject to subsection (3), on receipt of a referral of a complaint made under section 101 or 112, the Council shall establish a full hearing panel consisting of the following persons to review the complaint:

(2) The lawyer referred to in paragraph (1)‍(d) is to be designated by the Minister. However, if the full hearing panel is being established as the result of a request by the Minister under section 148 or the Minister does not designate a lawyer within 30 days after the day on which the Minister receives written notice from the Council that a full hearing panel is to be established, the lawyer is to be designated by the Council.

(3) If a complaint is referred to the Council under section 101 or 112 and a full hearing panel established to review a previous complaint involving the same judge has not yet made a decision in respect of that complaint, the Council may direct the full hearing panel to also review the new complaint.

118 In considering the complaint, the full hearing panel shall not consider the decision of the review panel or reduced hearing panel, as the case may be, that led to the establishment of the full hearing panel, or the reasons for that decision.

119 If the full hearing panel determines, on a balance of probabilities, that the judge’s removal from office is justified, it shall make a decision to that effect.

120 If the full hearing panel determines, on a balance of probabilities, that the judge’s removal is not justified, it may dismiss the complaint or take one or more of the actions referred to in paragraphs 102(a) to (g) if the full hearing panel considers that it is appropriate to do so in the circumstances.

121 The full hearing panel shall give notice of its decision and the reasons for it to

122 The Council shall make public the full hearing panel’s decision and the reasons for it, as soon as feasible after receiving the decision, if the full hearing panel’s hearings were public. If they were not public, the Council shall make public as much of the decision and reasons as possible having regard to the reasons for holding the hearings, or part of them, in private.

123 The judge who is the subject of the complaint and the presenting counsel may, within 30 days after the day on which the full hearing panel sends a notice of its decision to the judge or to the presenting counsel, as the case may be, file with the Council a notice appealing the decision.

124 The judge who is the subject of a complaint that is before a hearing panel has the right to be heard, to cross-examine witnesses and to adduce evidence, in person or by counsel.

125 The judge who is the subject of a complaint that is before a hearing panel is to be provided with a copy of the statement of allegations prepared by the presenting counsel and given reasonable notice of the subject matter and the date, time and place of the hearings.

126 (1) For the purposes of calculating an annuity under Part I, if a full hearing panel decides that the removal from office of a judge who is the subject of a complaint is justified, the day after the day on which the hearing panel sends a notice of its decision to the judge is the judge’s the last day in judicial office and the day that is to be used to determine the judge’s salary unless

(2) No reservations are to be made under section 50 from the judge’s salary in respect of the period that begins on the day after the day on which the decision is sent to the judge, unless one of paragraphs (1)‍(a) to (c) applies, in which case the judge shall contribute an amount equal to the amount that would have been reserved from the judge’s salary had subsection (1) not applied.

(3) For greater certainty, nothing in subsection (1) is to be construed as removing from the judge any entitlement to a salary increase that takes effect on or after the day on which the full hearing panel sends a notice of its decision to the judge.

127 A hearing panel has all the powers vested in a superior court of the province in which the judge who is the subject of the complaint resides, including

128 A hearing panel is not bound by any legal or technical rules of evidence and may receive and base a decision on evidence presented in its hearings that it considers credible or trustworthy in the circumstances of the case.

129 (1) A hearing panel’s hearings are to be public, but it may hold all or any part of its hearings in private if it considers doing so to be in the public interest.

(2) A hearing panel may prohibit the publication of any information or documents placed before it, if it is of the opinion that such a publication is not in the public interest.

Appeals

130 On receipt of a notice of appeal filed under section 116 or 123, the Council shall establish an appeal panel consisting of the following persons designated by it:

131 The appeal panel has all the powers vested in the court of appeal of the province in which the judge who is the subject of the complaint resides. It may, among other things, reverse, vary or affirm any decision of the reduced hearing panel or full hearing panel, as the case may be, and make any decision the hearing panel could have made.

132 (1) The appeal panel’s hearings are to be public, but it may conduct all or any part of its hearings in private if it considers doing so to be in the public interest.

(2) The appeal panel may prohibit the publication of any information or documents placed before it if it is of the opinion that such a publication is not in the public interest.

133 The judge who is the subject of the appeal and the presenting counsel are entitled to make oral and written submissions to the appeal panel.

134 The appeal is to be heard on the basis of the record of the hearing panel whose decision was appealed and on any submissions made by the judge who is the subject of the appeal and the presenting counsel. The appeal panel may, in exceptional circumstances, admit additional evidence or testimony if, in its opinion, it is essential in the interests of justice to do so.

135 The appeal panel shall give notice of its decision and the reasons for it to

136 The Council shall make public the appeal panel’s decision and the reasons for it, as soon as feasible after receiving them, if the appeal panel’s hearings were public. If they were not public, the Council shall make public as much of the decision and reasons as possible having regard to the reasons for holding the hearings, or part of them, in private.

137 The judge who is the subject of a decision of an appeal panel and the presenting counsel may, within 30 days after the day on which the appeal panel sends a notice of its decision to the judge or to the presenting counsel, as the case may be, file a notice of application for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada.

138 If leave to appeal is granted by the Supreme Court of Canada, the Attorney General of Canada and the attorney general of a province may intervene in the appeal.

Report to Minister

139 (1) If a full hearing panel is established in respect of a complaint, the full hearing panel shall, as soon as feasible after the earliest of the following, provide to the Minister a report setting out a recommendation, consistent with the final decision in respect of the complaint, as to whether or not the judge who is the subject of the complaint should be removed from office:

(2) The report must also set out the full hearing panel’s decision and any decision of the appeal panel and the Supreme Court of Canada, as well as the reasons, if any, for those decisions.

(3) The full hearing panel shall as soon as feasible give a copy of the report to the judge, the presenting counsel and the Council.

(4) The Council shall make public as much of the report as it considers appropriate taking into account the extent to which the decisions and reasons set out in the report were made public.

(5) In the event of the absence or incapacity of all three judges of the full hearing panel, the Council shall designate one of its members to assist the other members of the full hearing panel in preparing the report or, if the others are also absent or incapacitated, to provide the report.

140 (1) The Minister shall respond publicly to the report.

(2) For the purpose of responding publicly, the Minister may seek information from the full hearing panel on any matter that the Minister considers necessary.

(3) The full hearing panel shall provide the judge who is the subject of the report and the presenting counsel with any information that it provides to the Minister.

General

141 (1) A member of the Council and a judge named in the roster of judges is not eligible to be designated

(2) A member of the Council who is referred to in subsection 86(2) or (3) whose belief led to the Council making a complaint in respect of a judge or to an anonymous complaint being dealt with is not eligible to be designated, in their capacity as a member of the Council or in any other capacity, as a reviewing member under section 92 or as a member of any panel established under this Division, in respect of the complaint.

142 The Council may designate a judge named in the roster of judges to be a member of a panel established under section 98, 110, 117 or 130 instead of designating a member of the Council as the section in question requires.

143 A screening officer, a reviewing member or a member of a panel established under this Division shall have the same immunity as a judge of a superior court.

144 The Governor in Council may make regulations respecting the fees, allowances and expenses that may be paid or reimbursed under this Division.

145 (1) Subject to the regulations, the Commissioner shall make guidelines fixing or providing for the determination of fees, allowances and expenses to be paid or reimbursed under this Division.

(2) The guidelines may incorporate by reference any policy, guideline or directive of the Treasury Board or any federal department regarding fees, allowances or expenses, as it is amended from time to time.

(3) If an amount provided for in the guidelines made under subsection (1) differs from the amount provided for in Treasury Board directives regarding fees, allowances and expenses, the Commissioner shall make the reasons for the difference available to the public unless the difference is attributable solely to compliance with the regulations.

146 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the regulations made under section 144 and the guidelines made under subsection 145(1), there shall be paid out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund all amounts payable in respect of the following:

(2) Fees and expenses of lawyers representing judges may be paid only in respect of proceedings under this Division and appeals to the Supreme Court of Canada relating to those proceedings. For greater certainty, no payments to lawyers representing judges may be made in respect of any judicial review of any decision made under this Division.

147 (1) Within 18 months after the day on which the first report is submitted under section 160 and on every fifth anniversary of that day, the Council shall cause an independent review of the application of sections 144 to 146 to be conducted. The review is to be conducted by a person or body designated by the Commissioner in consultation with the Council.

(2) The person or body conducting the review shall provide a report of their findings and recommendations to the Minister, the chairperson of the Council and the Commissioner. The report shall include a finding on whether sections 144 to 146 have been applied in a manner consistent with best practices regarding financial controls.

(3) The Council shall make the report public with any redactions that the Commissioner and chairperson of the Council jointly consider necessary to protect confidential or personal information.

DIVISION 2 

Requests Concerning Judges

Fin du bloc inséré

Request

148 The Minister or the attorney general of a province may request that the Council establish a full hearing panel to determine whether the removal from office of a judge of a superior court is justified.

Establishment

149 On receipt of the request, the Council shall establish a full hearing panel in accordance with section 117 to consider the request.

Application of sections 119 to 146

150 Sections 119 to 146 apply, with any necessary modifications, in respect of the request and all proceedings arising from it.

DIVISION 3 

Requests Concerning Office Holders

Fin du bloc inséré

Removal from office

151 For the purposes of this Division, the removal from office of a person appointed under an Act of Parliament to hold office during good behaviour, other than a judge, is justified only if, for any of the following reasons, the person’s continuation in office would undermine public confidence in the integrity of the person or of their office to such an extent that it would render the person incapable of executing the functions of their office:

Request

152 The Minister may request that the Council establish a full hearing panel to determine whether the removal from office of a person referred to in section 151 is justified.

Establishment

153 On receipt of the request, the Council shall establish a full hearing panel in accordance with section 117 to consider the request.

Application of sections 119 to 125 and 127 to 146

154 Sections 119 to 125 and 127 to 146, other than paragraph 146(1)‍(d), apply, with any necessary modifications, in respect of the request and all proceedings arising from it.

Removal from office

155 (1) On receipt of a report provided under subsection 139(1) containing a recommendation that a person be removed from office, the Governor in Council, may, on the recommendation of the Minister, by order, remove the person from office if the person is a person who may be removed from office by the Governor in Council other than on address of the Senate or House of Commons or joint address of the Senate and House of Commons.

Orders and reports laid before Parliament

(2) If an order is made under subsection (1), a copy of the order and a copy of the report relating to the order must be laid before each House of Parliament within 15 days after the day on which the order is made or, if either House is not then sitting, on any of the first 15 days on which that House is sitting.

Leave of absence with salary

156 The Governor in Council may, for any period that the Governor in Council considers appropriate, grant leave of absence to any person, other than a judge, whose removal from office is recommended because of infirmity in a report provided under subsection 139(1) and, if leave of absence is granted, the person’s salary is to continue to be paid during the period of leave of absence.

DIVISION 4 

General

Fin du bloc inséré

Powers, rights and duties not affected

157 Nothing in, or done or omitted to be done under the authority of, this Part affects any power, right or duty of the Senate, the House of Commons or the Governor in Council in relation to the removal from office of a judge, a prothonotary of the Federal Court or any other person.

Decision final

158 A decision made by a member of the Council under any of Divisions 1 to 3 or by a member of a panel established under any of those Divisions is final and is not to be questioned or reviewed in any court other than provided for in this Part.

Remote appearance

159 For greater certainty, any proceedings or hearings under this Part may take place by remote appearance.

Annual report

160 The Council shall, within three months after the end of each calendar year, submit a report to the Minister setting out, in respect of the year, the number of

Remplacement de « ministre de la Justice du Canada »

12 (1) Dans les passages ci-après de la même loi, « ministre de la Justice du Canada » est remplacé par « ministre » :

• a) le paragraphe 26(2);

• b) le paragraphe 26.‍1(1);

• c) le paragraphe 28(1);

• d) le paragraphe 29(1);

• e) le paragraphe 31(1);

• f) l’article 31.‍1;

• g) le paragraphe 32(1);

• h) le paragraphe 32.‍1(1);

• i) le paragraphe 33(1);

• j) le passage du paragraphe 41(3) suivant l’alinéa b);

• k) l’article 48;

• l) les paragraphes 54(1.‍1) à (3).

Remplacement de « ministre de la Justice du Canada »

(2) Dans les passages ci-après de la version française de la même loi, « ministre de la Justice du Canada » est remplacé par « ministre » :

• a) le passage du paragraphe 51(3) suivant l’alinéa b);

• b) le passage du paragraphe 51(4) précédant l’alinéa a).

Remplacement de « Minister of Justice »

(3) Dans les passages ci-après de la version anglaise de la même loi, « Minister of Justice » est remplacé par « Minister» :

• a) les paragraphes 26(3), (4), (6) et (7);

• b) le passage du paragraphe 51(3) suivant l’alinéa b) et le passage du paragraphe 51(4) précédant l’alinéa a).

Dispositions transitoires

Enquêtes pendantes

13 La Loi sur les juges, dans sa version antérieure à la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, continue de s’appliquer à l’égard de toute enquête commencée sous le régime de cette loi avant cette date.

Enquêtes visées au paragraphe 63(1)

14 (1) Si une demande d’enquête a été présentée en vertu du paragraphe 63(1) de la Loi sur les juges avant la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi et que l’enquête n’est pas commencée avant cette date, la demande est réputée être une requête présentée à cette date en vertu de l’article 148 de cette loi, édicté par l’article 11 de la présente loi.

Plaintes ou accusations visées au paragraphe 63(2)

(2) Si une plainte ou une accusation visée au paragraphe 63(2) de la Loi sur les juges a été déposée avant la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi et que l’enquête n’est pas commencée avant cette date, la plainte ou l’accusation est réputée être une plainte présentée à cette date en vertu du paragraphe 86(1) de cette loi, édicté par l’article 11 de la présente loi.

Demandes visées au paragraphe 69(1)

(3) Si une demande d’enquête a été présentée en vertu du paragraphe 69(1) de la Loi sur les juges avant la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi et que l’enquête n’est pas commencée avant cette date, la demande est réputée être une requête présentée à cette date en vertu de l’article 152 de cette loi, édicté par l’article 11 de la présente loi.

Avis de demande d’autorisation d’appel

15 Si un rapport présenté en vertu de l’article 65 de la Loi sur les juges, dans sa version antérieure à la date d’entrée en vigueur de la présente loi, contient une recommandation de révocation d’un juge, celui-ci peut, dans les trente jours suivant cette date, déposer un avis de demande d’autorisation d’appel du rapport auprès de la Cour suprême du Canada et, si l’autorisation est accordée, l’article 138 de cette loi, édicté par l’article 11 de la présente loi, s’applique.

Disposition de coordination

Projet de loi C-30

16 En cas de sanction du projet de loi C-30, déposé au cours de la 2^e session de la 43^e législature et intitulé Loi n^o 1 d’exécution du budget de 2021 (appelé « autre loi » au présent article), et d’entrée en vigueur de l’article 11 de la présente loi à la date de sanction de l’autre loi ou avant cette date, la section 26 de l’autre loi est réputée ne pas être entrée en vigueur et est abrogée.

Entrée en vigueur

Décret

17 (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), la présente loi entre en vigueur à la date fixée par décret.

Recommandation royale

(2) Le décret visé au paragraphe (1) ne peut être pris que si, d’une part, le gouverneur général a recommandé l’affectation de crédits pour l’application de la présente loi et, d’autre part, le Parlement a affecté ces crédits.

NOTES EXPLICATIVES

2.‍1 (1) Sous réserve du paragraphe (2), les articles 26 à 26.‍3, 34 et 39, les alinéas 40(1)a) et b), le paragraphe 40(2), les articles 41, 41.‍2 à 42, 43.‍1 à 56 et 57, l’alinéa 60(2)b), les paragraphes 63(1) et (2) et les articles 64 à 66 s’appliquent également aux protonotaires de la Cour fédérale.

ministre Le ministre de la Justice du Canada.‍ (Minister)

53 (1) Les traitements, indemnités et pensions prévus par la présente loi, ainsi que les montants payables au titre des articles 46.‍1, 51 et 52.‍15, sont payés sur le Trésor.

(2) Pour toute fraction d’année, les traitements et pensions sont payés au prorata.

(3) Les traitements et pensions sont payables mensuellement.

58 Dans la présente partie, ministre s’entend du ministre de la Justice du Canada.

59 (1) Est constitué le Conseil canadien de la magistrature, composé :

• (a) du juge en chef du Canada, qui en est le président;

(2) Dans le cadre de sa mission, le Conseil a le pouvoir :

• [.‍.‍.‍]  

• c) de procéder aux enquêtes visées à l’article 63;

• d) de tenir les enquêtes visées à l’article 69.

(3) Le Conseil peut, par règlement administratif, régir :

• [.‍.‍.‍]  

• c) la procédure relative aux enquêtes visées à l’article 63.

62 Le Conseil peut employer le personnel nécessaire à l’exécution de sa mission et engager des conseillers juridiques pour l’assister dans la tenue des enquêtes visées à l’article 63.

63 (1) Le Conseil mène les enquêtes que lui confie le ministre ou le procureur général d’une province sur les cas de révocation au sein d’une juridiction supérieure pour tout motif énoncé aux alinéas 65(2)a) à d).

(2) Le Conseil peut en outre enquêter sur toute plainte ou accusation relative à un juge d’une juridiction supérieure.

(3) Le Conseil peut constituer un comité d’enquête formé d’un ou plusieurs de ses membres, auxquels le ministre peut adjoindre des avocats ayant été membres du barreau d’une province pendant au moins dix ans.

(4) Le Conseil ou le comité formé pour l’enquête est réputé constituer une juridiction supérieure; il a le pouvoir de :

• a) citer devant lui des témoins, les obliger à déposer verbalement ou par écrit sous la foi du serment — ou de l’affirmation solennelle dans les cas où elle est autorisée en matière civile — et à produire les documents et éléments de preuve qu’il estime nécessaires à une enquête approfondie;

• b) contraindre les témoins à comparaître et à déposer, étant investi à cet égard des pouvoirs d’une juridiction supérieure de la province où l’enquête se déroule.

(5) S’il estime qu’elle ne sert pas l’intérêt public, le Conseil peut interdire la publication de tous renseignements ou documents produits devant lui au cours de l’enquête ou découlant de celle-ci.

(6) Sauf ordre contraire du ministre, les enquêtes peuvent se tenir à huis clos.

64 Le juge en cause doit être informé, suffisamment à l’avance, de l’objet de l’enquête, ainsi que des date, heure et lieu de l’audition, et avoir la possibilité de se faire entendre, de contre-interroger les témoins et de présenter tous éléments de preuve utiles à sa décharge, personnellement ou par procureur.

65 (1) À l’issue de l’enquête, le Conseil présente au ministre un rapport sur ses conclusions et lui communique le dossier.

(2) Le Conseil peut, dans son rapport, recommander la révocation s’il est d’avis que le juge en cause est inapte à remplir utilement ses fonctions pour l’un ou l’autre des motifs suivants :

• a) âge ou invalidité;

• b) manquement à l’honneur et à la dignité;

• c) manquement aux devoirs de sa charge;

• d) situation d’incompatibilité, qu’elle soit imputable au juge ou à toute autre cause.

66 (1) [Abrogé, L.‍R. (1985), ch. 27 (2^e suppl.‍), art. 6]

(2) Le gouverneur en conseil peut accorder au juge reconnu inapte pour l’un des motifs énoncés au paragraphe 65(2) un congé, avec traitement, pour la période qu’il estime indiquée en l’espèce.

(3) Si le juge dont il a constaté l’inaptitude démissionne, le gouverneur en conseil peut lui octroyer la pension qu’il aurait reçue s’il avait démissionné dès la constatation.

67 [Abrogé, L.‍R. (1985), ch. 16 (3^e suppl.‍), art. 5]

68 [Abrogé, L.‍R. (1985), ch. 16 (3^e suppl.‍), art. 6]

69 (1) Sur demande du ministre, le Conseil enquête aussi sur les cas de révocation — pour les motifs énoncés au paragraphe 65(2) — des titulaires de poste nommés à titre inamovible aux termes d’une loi fédérale, à l’exception des :

• a) juges des juridictions supérieures ou des protonotaires de la Cour fédérale;

• b) personnes visées par l’article 48 de la Loi sur le Parlement du Canada.

(2) Les paragraphes 63(3) à (6), les articles 64 et 65 et le paragraphe 66(2) s’appliquent, compte tenu des adaptations nécessaires, aux enquêtes prévues au présent article.