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Minister of Justice launches national Judicial Symposium series to encourage outstanding lawyers to consider judicial service

Department of Justice Canada
Thursday at 10:37am ADT · October 22, 2026 4 min read

OTTAWA, ON, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — An independent and highly qualified judiciary is essential to the rule of law and to Canadians’ confidence in the justice system. Ensuring that talented lawyers from across the country understand the judicial appointments process, and see themselves as potential candidates for the bench, is an important part of maintaining that strength.

Today, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, in partnership with the Canadian Bar Association (CBA), announced the launch of a national Judicial Symposium tour. The first Judicial Symposium will take place in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on November 20, 2026, with additional stops across Canada to follow in 2027. Lawyers interested in attending can register on the CBA’s website. 

The symposiums will bring together members of the legal community for practical conversations about the role of an independent judiciary, the federal judicial appointments process, and what it means to serve as a judge in Canada.

They will also provide an opportunity to encourage accomplished lawyers from a wide range of backgrounds, communities, and areas of practice to consider putting their names forward for judicial appointment.

Quotes

“One of Canada’s strengths is the balance built into our federation. Different orders of government have different responsibilities, and our courts have their own independent role in upholding the rule of law. That balance matters, and it’s worth talking about. We’re starting the Judicial Symposium in Halifax this fall and taking it across the country in the new year. I’m looking forward to hosting these conversations with the Canadian Bar Association and meeting lawyers who may be considering a career on the bench.”

The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., K.C.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

“A strong justice system depends on an independent, highly qualified judiciary, and on talented lawyers being willing to serve. The CBA is proud to partner with the Minister on this national series, which will give lawyers across the country a clearer sense of the realities of judicial service in Canada.”

Loreley Chekay, K.C.

President of the Canadian Bar Association

“The Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Bar Association is delighted to host the first Judicial Symposium as part of our Annual Conference. Our members include leading practitioners in every area of law and learning more about the judicial appointment process will be of great interest. We are proud of our outstanding judiciary in Nova Scotia and want to ensure that continues.”

Jason Cooke, K.C. 

Branch President, Canadian Bar Association Nova Scotia

Quick facts

  • This is the first Judicial Symposium Tour being held by the Government of Canada. Further symposiums will be held in regions across Canada in 2027.
  • The federal government appoints judges to the federal courts, the superior courts of the provinces and territories, and the Supreme Court of Canada. The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs administers independent and non-partisan Judicial Advisory Committees (JACs) that assess the qualifications of the lawyers who apply for federal judicial appointments and forward their recommendations to the Minister of Justice. 
  • JACs are designed to obtain and reflect local input on the assessment of candidates. There is at least one JAC in each province and territory. All are composed of seven members representing the provincial or territorial government, the provincial or territorial bench, the provincial or territorial bar, and the public.
  • The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada consults on candidates they are considering for appointment.

Associated links

Stay connected

  • Follow the Department of Justice Canada on X, Facebook, YouTube and LinkedIn.
  • Follow Minister Fraser on X @MinJusticeEn.
  • Subscribe to receive news releases and other information through RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit justice.gc.ca.

SOURCE Department of Justice Canada

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