S.C.C. Judges

 
 

Judges' Speeches

Whenever a sitting Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada gives a speech, we endeavour to obtain a copy of the official remarks. The following are speeches we've input on to this website, and internally hyperlinked as well:

Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin

Justice Michael Bastarache

Justice Rosalie Abella

Justice Louise Charron

We also have the following SCC Judges' speeches in our office archives (email us and we'll send you an electronic copy):

Chief Justice Antonio Lamer

  • Canadian Bar Association, August 23, 1998
  • Canadian Bar Association, August 24, 1997
  • Canadian Bar Association Mid-Winter Meeting, February 22-23, 1997
  • The Rule of Law and Judicial Independence: Protecting Core Values in Times of Change, Ivan C. Rand Memorial Lecture, March 14, 1996
  • Canadian Bar Association, February 21, 1993
  • University of Toronto Graduation Ceremony Faculty of Education & Faculty of Law, June 12, 1992
  • Canadian Bar Association and the Federal Department of Justice, April 15, 1992
  • Au sommet de la Justice, le 20 février 1992
  • Swearing-in of Chief Justice Isaac, Federal Court of Canada, February 7, 1992
  • Canadian Bar Association Ontario Division, January 31, 1992
  • The Role of the Court, December 2, 1991
  • Canadian Bar Association (Newfoundland Branch), November 15, 1991
  • 200th Anniversary of the First Supreme Court of Newfoundland, November 15, 1991
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, October 11, 1991
  • The Supreme Being, an interview with C.J. Antonio Lamer in Canadian Lawyer, September 1991
  • Canadian Bar Association, August 18, 1991
  • Council of Canadian Administrative Tribunals, June 4, 1991
  • R.C.M.P. Regimental Dinner, May 24, 1991
  • Le Gardien de le Charte, May 15, 1991
  • Dinner in honour of His Excellency, The Right Honourable Ramon Hnatyshyn and Her Excellency Gerda Hnatyshyn, April 30, 1991
  • L'Université de Montréal, le 19 avril 1991
  • National Prayer Breakfast, March 21, 1991
  • Société Allemande de Bienfaisance de Montréal, le 9 février 1991
  • Swearing-in of Justice Iacobucci, January 24, 1991
  • Dickson Legacy Dinner, October 19, 1990
  • Swearing-in of Justice Stevenson, October 2, 1990
  • Canadian Bar Association, September 23, 1990
  • Fifth International Appellate Judges Conference, September 11, 1990
  • Réflexions sur la nécessité de constituer un corps de magistrates administratifs de carrière, septembre 1990
  • Cérémonie de la collation des Grades de l'université d'Ottawa, le 12 juin 1987
  • The Role of the Supreme Court of Canada, Date Unknown
  • Law Reform Commission of Canada Twenty Years, Date Unknown
  • The Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law, Canadian Canon Law Society, Date Unknown

Justice Peter Cory

  • Law Day, April 15, 1992
  • 1991 Gale Cup Moot Competition, March 2, 1991
  • Convocation Address, October 21, 1990
  • Remembrance Day Convocation, November 7, 1985

Chief Justice Brian Dickson

  • Canadian Bar Association, September 7, 1991
  • Duke University, 1990/91
  • Churchill Society for the Advancement of Parliamentary Democracy 6th Annual Dinner Acceptance Remarks, November 29, 1990
  • Dickson Legacy Dinner, October 19, 1990
  • Retirement Ceremony, June 21, 1990
  • Cérémonie pour marquer le départ de L'Honorable Jean Beetz de la Cour suprême du Canada, le 10 mai 1989
    Remarks by:
    • Le très honorable Brian Dickson
    • Monsieur John Tait
    • L'honorable Gil Rémillard
    • Sénateur Jean Bazin
    • Me Guy Gilbert
    • L'honorable Jean Beetz
  • Swearing-in of Justice McLachlin, April 17, 1989
  • Swearing-in of Justice Gonthier and Justice Cory, February 1, 1989
  • Swearing-in of Justice Sopinka, June 23, 1988
  • Ceremonial remarks in Memory of The Honourable Mr. Justice Roland Ritchie, June 7, 1988
  • Law Day Dinner, April 15, 1987
  • Canadian Club, March 12, 1987
  • Notes for a Convocation Address, June 20, 1986
  • The Supreme Court of Canada and The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, September 1983
  • Swearing-in, March 1973
  • Remarks in Memory of The Honourable Julien Chouinard, Date Unknown
  • The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Date Unknown

Justice Charles Gonthier

  • Remarks on the Charter: Rights, Duties and Responsibilities, February 6-7, 1991

Justice Frank Iacobucci

  • The Evolution of Constitutional Rights and Corresponding Duties, November 18 & 21, 1991
  • Villa Marconi Dinner, October 26, 1991
  • Gala Evening, October 25, 1991
  • The Practice of Law: Business and Professionalism, B.C. Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers, September 13, 1991
  • A Dinner, June 22, 1991
  • Lawyers and Law Schools, University of British Columbia Law Alumni Association, May 24, 1991
  • A Dinner and Reception, April 25, 1991
  • Law Day, April 17, 1991
  • A Dinner, April 9, 1991
  • Swearing-in, January 24, 1991
  • Red Mass, Date Unknown

Chief Justice Bora Laskin

  • Convocation Address at Lakehead University, May 28, 1983

The Honourable Claire L'Heureux-Dubé

  • "The Art of Judging in Today's Environment: How to Pack Your Survival Kit", February 21, 1992

Justice John Sopinka

  • Must A Judge Be A Monk?, March 3, 1989

Justice Bertha Wilson

  • Victoria University Convocation and Emmanuel College Graduation, May 17, 1990
  • Comment on papers delivered by Professor Weeramantry and Mr. Dugdale on Judicial reasoning at the Commonwealth Law Conference, April 1990
  • Statutory Interpretation: The Use of Extrinsic Evidence Pre and Post Charter, April 1990
  • Will Women Judges Really Make a Difference?, February 8, 1990
  • Special Convocation, March 29, 1989
  • Annual Congregation of The University of British Columbia, May 27, 1988
  • The Making of a Constitution: Approaches to Judicial Interpretation, May 20-21, 1988
  • Essex County Law Association, April 13, 1988
  • The Making of a Constitution, April 12, 1988
  • Literature and the Law, March 13, 1987
  • Family Law, March 1987
  • Constitutional Law - Section 7, March 1987
  • York University Convocation, June 20, 1986
  • David B. Goodman Memorial Lectures, November 26-27, 1985
  • University of Windsor Convocation, October 13, 1985
  • Tribute to Purdy Crawford, June 17, 1985
  • University of Alberta Convocation, May 31, 1985
  • Respecting the Law and Our Democratic Institutions, April 15, 1985
  • The Charter of Rights and Freedoms, March 1985
  • State Intervention in the Family, March 1985
  • The Decision-making Process in the Supreme Court of Canada, March 1985
  • Sexual Equality Before and After S. 15, March 1985
  • Tribute to Mr. Justice John D. Arnup, November 23, 1984
  • University of Toronto Convocation, November 21, 1984
  • Evidence Under the Charter of Rights, November 1984
  • The Legal Process, November 1984
  • Saskatoon Bar Association, November 1984
  • State Intervention in the Family, October 24-27, 1984
  • Children: The Casualties of a Failed Marriage, September 1984
  • Mount St. Vincent University Convocation, May 11, 1984
  • The Unappealable Judgment, March 9, 1984
  • University of Calgary Convocation, November 18, 1983
  • Decision-making in the Supreme Court of Canada, September 1983
  • Guaranteed Freedoms in a Free and Democratic Society - A New Role for the Courts?, July 1983
  • Queen's University Convocation, May 28,1983
  • The Principle of Sexual Equality, April 8, 1983
  • Professional Responsibility-Architects and Engineers, March 5, 1983
  • Leave to Appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada, January 6, 1983
  • One Woman's Way to the Supreme Court, 1983
  • First Year Law, University of Ottawa, November 1982
  • Ottawa Women's Canadian Club, September 23, 1982."