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“The legal profession is governed by different codes of professional conduct in each province,” said Kennedy. “However, there is extraordinary overlap between them and the principle of judicial independence is applicable across the country.”
In a joint statement, the Canadian and Manitoba Bar Associations condemned the JCCF’s behaviour, saying it had no place in the conduct of a trial. The incident, they said, also raises serious security concerns for the judiciary, officers of the court and court staff. It is particularly disturbing that the location of Joyal’s home and private cottage were known.
“Judicial independence is a crucial legal principle that guarantees judges have the freedom to make their decisions based solely on the facts and the laws,” said CBA President Brad Regehr and MBA President Ian Scarth in the statement. “Judicial independence is precisely that which guarantees the rights and freedoms of every person in Canada.”