Who are they? 
A judge’s job is to interpret and apply the laws of Canada. In Canada, Judges are appointed by the government and not elected. The provincial government appoints judges in the Provincial Court. The federal government appoints Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges. Even though the government appoints judges, judges are independent from the government.
Judicial Independence
Judicial independence is key to our justice system and protected by the Constitution. It means that judges are free to make their decisions based on the evidence and the law, without meddling from outside sources, including the government. Public confidence in the legal system gives it legitimacy and authority. Even if a decision is unpopular, the public should have the confidence that it was made fairly.
In Canada, judicial independence is protected by:
- Security of tenure: judges can’t be fired for making a decision the government doesn’t like
- Financial security: judges are guaranteed a salary and pension that means they are not vulnerable to bribes
- Administrative independence: judges can manage their own cases and procedures
Accountability
Judges are still accountable for their decisions through the appeals process. If a higher court finds that the judge made an error they can overturn that decision.
If a judge behaves badly, either in court or outside of it, they can be investigated and even removed if necessary.
