Annual news conference with the Chief Justice of Canada
Remarks by the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C.
Chief Justice of Canada
(Check against delivery)
Good morning everyone.
I want to begin by welcoming members of the Parliamentary Press Gallery and everyone watching online. As every year, I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak with you today, and for your continued interest in the work of the Supreme Court of Canada.
I have said it often, but I believe that journalists play a crucial part in reporting on the Court’s work and explaining to Canadians why it matters. Which is why I am pleased to note that a representative of our Court will be taking part in the upcoming Canadian Association of Journalists conference here, in Ottawa, on Friday. She will explain what services our Court provides to media to help support your coverage.
We also noticed that in recent months, media coverage of the Supreme Court has grown noticeably. Some of that attention has been driven by high‑profile cases, cases that raise difficult questions and attract strong public interest. But beyond individual decisions, this moment also highlights the essential role journalists play in helping Canadians understand how their institutions function. How decisions are made and why the rule of law matters in daily life. That role has never been more important.
With that in mind, I would like to share a few reflections on where the Court stands today and the challenges ahead. The past year has been a particularly significant one for us.
In 2025, we marked the 150th anniversary of the Supreme Court of Canada, and we did so not only here in Ottawa, but across the country. Our anniversary visits to several cities were a real success and a powerful reminder of the connection between Canadians and their Court. They allowed us to meet people where they are, to listen, to answer questions, and to reaffirm that this Court belongs to the public it serves.
As part of the 150th anniversary, we also undertook the translation of some of the Court’s most significant decisions rendered before the coming into force of the Official Languages Act in 1970. Last October, we published the first of these translations, Roncarelli v. Duplessis. I am pleased to announce that nine more decisions have now been translated, are currently under review, and will be published soon on our website. We are also taking note of a recent decision of the Federal Court concerning the translation of decisions issued prior to 1970. This decision appears to align with the position consistently adopted by the Registrar of the Court since the very beginning.
Here in Ottawa, we also welcomed a significant number of visitors to the Court. Almost 50,000 people walked through our doors last year to take a guided tour of our building or attend a hearing. That level of engagement speaks to a strong public interest in justice and in democratic institutions. And it speaks to a desire to better understand how these institutions work.
We also marked a historic moment with the first opening of the judicial year ceremony held at the Supreme Court in almost 40 years. It was a meaningful occasion, both symbolically and institutionally. I am pleased to announce that we will hold another opening of the judicial year ceremony on October 5, 2026.
Alongside these milestones at the Court, I would also like to share some updates about the recent work of the Canadian Judicial Council, the National Judicial Institute, and the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations. In my role as Chair of the Council and of the NJI, and as co‑Chair of the Action Committee, I have the opportunity to see firsthand the work underway across the country to strengthen our justice system.
Over the past year, the Canadian Judicial Council has updated its procedures for reviewing complaints about federally appointed judges and published its annual report on these complaints. It also released its yearly report to Canadians on judicial education, and is finalizing a study on the health and well‑being of judges, which will be made public in the coming weeks.
Through the National Judicial Institute, we have continued to expand judicial education, including new programming and resources on artificial intelligence, family and intimate partner violence, and judicial well‑being. The NJI has also recently launched a multi‑year initiative with Global Affairs Canada and the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam. This project focuses on equal access to justice, gender‑responsive judicial education, and advancing leadership opportunities for women justices in Vietnam. It is a concrete example of how international cooperation can advance shared values of fairness, equality, and the rule of law.
Even though the pandemic is behind us, the Action Committee on Modernizing Court Operations continues to do important work to enhance the functioning of courts across the country, particularly for their users, including vulnerable and marginalized communities. Among other initiatives, the Action Committee has recently released a series of publications aimed at better understanding the challenges faced by Indigenous and Black litigants, reinforcing the importance of social context in the fair administration of justice.
When we spoke last year, I had not yet begun working with Justice Minister, Mr. Sean Fraser, who is now co‑chairing the Action Committee with me. Since then, we have had the opportunity to meet several times, and I am grateful for this continued collaboration to modernize court operations and improve access to justice for all Canadians.
Additionally, in my capacity as Chair of the Advisory Council for the Order of Canada, I am pleased to note that the Order is currently exploring thoughtful modifications to its processes to better raise awareness of this distinguished honour and of those who receive it. The recipients are recognized for contributions that have strengthened and enriched our country across diverse fields and communities. By highlighting their work and their stories, we not only celebrate their remarkable impact, but also inspire others to follow their example and help build an even stronger, more compassionate Canada.
As we reflect on what has been accomplished over the past year, the Court is also entering a new phase.
Two weeks ago, we held our last hearing in our historic courtroom for the foreseeable future. Our next hearings will take place in our temporary location, at the West Memorial Building, as we prepare for the long‑planned rehabilitation of the historic Supreme Court building.
Over the summer, the Court will transition smoothly to this new space. As you can imagine, this is a complex logistical operation, but one that has been carefully planned to ensure our operations continue seamlessly.
Similarly, public tours will continue all summer in our iconic building. This is an opportunity for Canadians to experience the building before it closes for rehabilitation. I would encourage people to take advantage of that opportunity.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our staff, as well as everyone who has been involved in this transition, from Public Services and Procurement Canada, who have led the rehabilitation of the West Memorial Building, to the RCMP, who will continue to ensure the security of judges and the public in our new location. This is a particularly meaningful moment for the Court, and for some, an emotional one. We are deeply grateful to everyone who is helping to ensure that this transition takes place smoothly.
Our building may temporarily change, but our constitutional responsibilities do not. And I want to be clear on this point: the move will not impact the Court’s judicial work.
Turning to the work of the Court, in 2025, we issued decisions in a wide range of areas, including constitutional and criminal law, administrative law and property law. While we rendered slightly fewer judgments than the previous year, we heard more appeals. This trend will continue into 2026, as we expect the number of appeals heard to return to levels not seen since the pandemic. This is a significant milestone and reflects broader efforts across jurisdictions to address pandemic‑related backlogs.
Another trend that is standing out when looking at our statistical summary for 2025 is the high number of self‑represented litigants filing applications for leave to appeal. Last year, they accounted for 37% of all applications filed at the Court. This is a trend that appears to be accelerating in 2026.
This reality raises important questions about access to justice, legal complexity, and the pressures faced by individuals navigating the system without legal representation. These are not abstract issues; they affect real people seeking answers and resolution through the courts. They also highlight the importance of clear and accessible information about how the justice system works, particularly for those navigating it on their own.
This trend also illustrates an interesting paradox. At a time when democratic institutions are under pressure in many parts of the world, people are relying on those institutions more than ever.
Our visits across Canada last year for the 150th anniversary of the Court left me feeling optimistic. At this press conference a year ago, I mentioned that many of the Canadians we met were concerned about the democratic backsliding we are seeing in other parts of the world. But beyond those concerns, I also saw resolve and a strong sense of engagement across the country. Canadians, by and large, are asking the right questions, and they are demonstrating a continued belief in our institutions.
And yet that trust cannot be taken for granted. Here too, our institutions are under pressure.
As in many other jurisdictions around the world, here too we have seen attempts to undermine public confidence in the justice system. We have seen judges and courts sometimes portrayed as partisan actors, or described as obstacles to the will of the people.
The public deserves a judiciary that rises above politics. A non-partisan judiciary, insulated from politicization, is essential to the rule of law. Public confidence depends on judicial independence being both real and visible. We have seen in other countries what can happen when the boundary between the executive and the judiciary becomes blurred. The consequences are serious, and often difficult to reverse.
Criticism and questioning are, of course, part of a healthy and essential democratic process. But rhetorical attacks that cast doubt on the legitimacy of courts or judges can undermine the justice system as a whole.
At the same time, courts across the country face resource constraints, heavy workloads, and greater administrative demands. Insufficient resources create delays, and delays are already affecting how Canadians experience justice. Over time, this can erode confidence. The reality is, upholding the rule of law is not getting any easier.
Finally, technology is also transforming the legal landscape at a rapid pace. Artificial intelligence is now present in the courtroom in ways both promising and problematic. Just a few years ago, hallucinated legal cases were not something we imagined. Today, they are a part of our reality.
In an environment where information can be generated and shared rapidly, distinguishing fact from fiction has become more difficult and more important. New technologies offer opportunities to improve access and efficiency, but they also require courts to adapt quickly and thoughtfully. That adaptation requires investment and time. And it is necessary, again, if we want to maintain public trust in the justice system.
These are indeed big challenges confronting our justice system. But as I said last year and as I say again now, I believe in the resilience of our courts and in their unwavering commitment to upholding the rights and freedoms of all Canadians.
Trust in our institutions is currently high, but maintaining that trust requires ongoing effort.
Judicial independence must be respected. Courts must be properly resourced. Public debate must remain informed and responsible. And Canadians must continue to see their institutions as worthy of protection. This includes a free and impartial media. Journalists are part of our democratic institutions, and they play an essential role in helping Canadians understand those institutions. I am keenly aware of the pressures the media currently face, and of the importance of your work in helping sustain public trust, even in challenging times.
Canada’s institutions are functioning. They are resilient. They are trusted. But they remain strong only if they are protected, respected, properly resourced, and understood by the public they serve.
Thank you very much for you attention. I would be happy to take some questions.
Remarks by the Right Honourable Richard Wagner, P.C.
Chief Justice of Canada
On the occasion of the Annual News Conference with the Parliamentary Press Gallery
Wellington Building
Ottawa, Ontario
June 9, 2026
Related link
Archived video of the press conference