On April 10-11, 2025, the Supreme Court of Canada hosted a bilingual symposium, gathering justices of the Supreme Court, representatives from Canadian and international courts and other partners from the legal community. The symposium examined and explored the role that the Court plays in today’s justice system, as well as how that role can and should evolve.
In a dialogue informed by the past, but looking to the future, the symposium participants reflected on the role of an apex court in a constitutional democracy, the resilience of justice systems and our shared commitment to upholding the rule of law, dignity and equality for all. They also discussed federalism and the diversity of legal traditions in Canada, including common and civil law, Indigenous legal traditions and the influence of international law.
Watch the recordings below.
Welcome remarks from the Right Honourable Richard Wagner P.C., Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada
Watch the floor feed with English subtitles here
Watch the floor feed with French subtitles here
Read the remarks from the guest of honour, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., O.Q., C.D., Governor General of Canada
Introduction by symposium co-chairs, the Honourable Andromache Karakatsanis and the Honourable Nicholas Kasirer, justices of the Supreme Court of Canada
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Moderator
The Honourable Georgina R. Jackson, Court of Appeal for Saskatchewan
Panelists
The Honourable Albie Sacks, retired justice, South African Constitutional Court
Stephane J. Toope, President and CEO, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Moderator
The Honourable Sébastien Grammond, Federal Court
Panelists
The Honourable Joe Williams, Supreme Court of New Zealand
Professor Naiomi Metallic, Assistant Professor; Chancellor in Aboriginal Law and Policy,
Dalhousie University, Schulich School of Law
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Moderator
Dean Marie-Eve Sylvestre, Dean and Full Professor, University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law (Civil
Law Section)
Panelists
The Honourable Yves de Montigny, Chief Justice, Federal Court of Appeal
Professor Jeremy Webber, University of Victoria, Faculty of Law
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Moderator
Professor Shauna Van Praagh, President, Law Commission of Canada
Panelists
The Honourable Justice Audrey Boctor, Superior Court of Québec
Professor Lionel Smith, Professor of Comparative Law, University of Oxford, Faculty of Law
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Moderator
Hélène Buzzetti, Political columnist, Les Coops de
l’information
Panelists
The Honourable Donal O’Donnell, Chief Justice, Supreme Court of Ireland
The Honourable Louise Arbour, retired Justice at the Supreme Court of Canada, Senior Counsel,
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
Symposium co-chairs, the Honourable Andromache Karakatsanis and the Honourable Nicholas Kasirer, justices of the Supreme Court of Canada
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here
The Right Honourable Richard Wagner P.C., Chief Justice of Canada
Watch the floor video here
Watch the English video here
Watch the French video here