Judicial independence
Judicial independence is essential to the preservation and strength of Canada’s democracy. It means that the judiciary can make decisions based only on fact and law, free of any influence from government or outside parties.
Judicial independence is one of the most important principles for the preservation of the rule of law, democratic values and fostering public confidence in our institutions.
The 3 branches of government
Canada’s Constitution sets out the basic principles of our democracy by defining the 3 branches of government:
- The executive, which decides policy and oversees the day-to-day operations of government
- The legislative, which makes and passes laws
- The judiciary, which interprets and applies the law and the Constitution
The 3 branches serve different functions, but are equally important.
In 2019, the Chief Justice of Canada and the Canadian Minister of Justice entered into an Accord to strengthen the independence of the Supreme Court of Canada. The accord recognizes and reinforces judicial independence by setting out provisions for the handling of funding requests, contracting authority and the appointment of the Court’s senior administrative office-holders.
Independence and impartiality of judges
Canadians must be confident that cases are decided by Supreme Court judges who are independent, impartial and free from outside influence. Judges must devote themselves to their judicial duties and may not have other work outside of those duties. This is set out in the Judges Act and related guidelines are outlined in the Ethical Principles for Judges.
An independent judiciary in Canada is guaranteed under the Constitution. Judicial independence is defined in 3 ways:
- Security of tenure: Once appointed, a judge can serve until the age of 75. A judge can only be removed by Parliament for serious reasons.
- Financial security: Every 4 years, an independent commission is established to review judges’ compensation.
- Institutional administrative independence: At a minimum, judges must have control over hearing assignments, sittings of the court and court lists.
Symbols of judicial independence
The Supreme Court of Canada’s heraldic emblems include a coat of arms, a flag and a badge, and visually express its role, traditions and the principle of judicial independence. These symbols are unique to the Supreme Court and distinguish it from the other branches of government.
Vertical stripes
The vertical red stripes, representing parallel paths and the idea of uninterrupted movement, indicate that the Court is responsible for applying the law in the two legal traditions of the country – common law and civil law – and that it is a bilingual institution, working in both English and French.
Bandes verticales
Les bandes verticales rouges, évoquant des chemins parallèles et un mouvement ininterrompu, indiquent que la Cour est chargée d’appliquer le droit dans les deux traditions juridiques du pays – la common law et le droit civil – et qu’elle est une institution bilingue, travaillant tant en français qu’en anglais.
First Peoples
These stripes also symbolize Indigenous contributions to Canadian society and law, as they recall the principles of peace and mutual respect communicated by the two-row wampum belt.
Premiers Peuples
Ces bandes symbolisent aussi les contributions des Autochtones à la société canadienne et au droit du pays, en ce qu’elles rappellent les principes de paix et de respect mutuel communiqués par le wampum à deux rangs.
The 9 Judges of the Court
The large diamond and its pattern of lozenges represent the Court of nine judges and the central role it plays as the country’s court of final appeal and as the guarantor of the Constitution and the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.
Les 9 juges de la Cour
Le grand losange et sa mosaïque représentent la Cour, ses neuf juges et son rôle central en tant que juridiction d’appel de dernier ressort du pays, garante de la Constitution et des droits et libertés de tous les Canadiens et Canadiennes.
Colours
The white background conveys the ideals of transparency and accessibility in the court system. Red and white are emblematic of Canada, while gold symbolizes excellence.
Couleurs
Le fond blanc incarne l’idéal de transparence et d’accessibilité de l’appareil judiciaire. Le rouge et le blanc sont emblématiques du Canada, tandis que l’or symbolise l’excellence.
Royal Crown
The heraldic emblems are surmounted by a stylized version of St. Edward’s Crown, which has been used in the coronations of Canada’s monarchs. This element represents Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy headed by a sovereign king or queen.
Couronne royale
Les emblèmes héraldiques sont surmontés d’une version stylisée de la couronne de saint Édouard, coiffure d’apparat utilisée lors du couronnement des monarques du Canada. Cette couronne est un symbole du statut du Canada en tant que monarchie constitutionnelle dirigée par un roi ou une reine souveraine.
Laurels
The round shape represents harmony and collegiality with laurels, typical of judicial symbolism. The laurels are derived from the Supreme Court’s badge, designed nearly a century ago by the distinguished Montreal architect Ernest Cormier.
Lauriers
La forme ronde représente l’harmonie et la collégialité, et les lauriers, le symbole judiciaire par excellence. Les lauriers sont dérivés de l’insigne de la Cour suprême, conçu il y a près de cent ans par l’éminent architecte montréalais Ernest Cormier.
The coat of arms
The Court’s coat of arms was designed and granted by the Chief Herald of the Canada and the Canadian Heraldic Authority in 2021. It is rich with symbolism, expressing the Supreme Court’s identity and telling the story of its past, present and future. They are used on all judicial documents such as decisions, orders and bulletins of proceeding.
Vertical stripes: Canada’s legal traditions
The vertical red stripes, representing parallel paths and the idea of uninterrupted movement, indicate that the Court is responsible for applying the law in the 2 legal traditions of the country – common law and civil law – and that it is a bilingual institution, working in both English and French.
These stripes also symbolize Indigenous contributions to Canadian society and law, as they recall the principles of peace and mutual respect communicated by the two-row wampum belt.
Colours
The white background conveys the ideals of transparency and accessibility in the court system. Red and white are emblematic of Canada, while gold symbolizes excellence.
Diamond pattern: The 9 judges of the Court
The large diamond and its pattern of lozenges represent the Court of 9 judges and the central role it plays as the country’s court of final appeal and as the guarantor of the Constitution and the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.
Royal crown: Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy
The coat of arms is surmounted by a stylized version of St. Edward’s Crown, which has been used in the coronations of Canada’s monarchs. This element represents Canada’s status as a constitutional monarchy headed by a sovereign king or queen.
Laurels: harmony and collegiality
The round shape represents harmony and collegiality with laurels, typical of judicial symbolism. The laurels are derived from the Supreme Court’s badge, designed nearly a century ago by the distinguished Montreal architect Ernest Cormier.
Motto: Justice and Truth
The Latin words “Justitia et Veritas” mean “Justice and Truth”. They are also the names of the 2 statues representing Justice and Truth that stand in front of the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Court of Canada flag
This flag was created using features from the coat of arms. The flag is raised on the eastern flag pole when the Court is sitting for hearings.
The Cormier emblem
The Supreme Court’s historic badge is called the Cormier emblem and was designed by Ernest Cormier, the building’s renowned architect. The emblem represents the Court’s key values of justice, independence, integrity, transparency and bilingualism. It shows 2 stylized capital letters, S and C, for “Supreme Court,” and laurels, typical of judicial symbolism.