Department of Justice

APPOINTMENT TO THE CANADIAN JUDICIAL
COUNCIL INQUIRY COMMITTEE ANNOUNCED

OTTAWA, February 3, 1999 -- The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced the appointment of Professor Patrick Healy, of Montreal, Quebec, to the Canadian Judicial Council Inquiry Committee, which is to commence an inquiry as to whether Mr. Justice Flahiff, justice of the Superior Court of Quebec should be removed from office. The Minister has appointed Professor Healy in accordance with the powers conferred on her under subsection 63 (3) of the Judges Act.

Professor Patrick Healy obtained his B.C.L. at McGill University in 1981 and his LL.M. at the University of Toronto in 1984. He has been a member of the Quebec Bar since 1983. Mr. Healy has been an Associate Professor at the Law Faculty of McGill University and has taught and published on various subjects relating to criminal law since 1990. Professor Healy has been involved in issues of law reform and has advised governments as well as non-governmental organizations on these issues. He has also acted on numerous occasions as counsel for the prosecution and defence. Mr. Healy is one of the editors of the Canadian Criminal Law Review.

The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada has requested on January 25th, 1999, that the Canadian Judicial Council commence an inquiry as to whether Mr. Justice Flahiff should be removed from office for any of the reasons set out in paragraphs 65(2)(a) to (d) of the Act. In particular, she has requested that the Council consider whether Mr. Justice Flahiff has become incapacitated or disabled from the due execution of the office of judge by reason of (b) having been guilty of misconduct; and (d) been placed, by his conduct or otherwise, in a position incompatible with the due execution of that office. The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada also requested that the inquiry be public.

Ref.: Johanne Senécal
Minister's Office
(613) 992-4621