Cold Lake dismayed at federal appeal of judgment on ‘appalling crisis’ in court vacancies

 The City of Cold Lake is discouraged by the federal government’s decision to appeal a court ruling that called on the Government of Canada to catch up on a backlog of judicial appointments to the federal court system.

“Our court system is bogged down by an increase in crime and large numbers of repeat offenders who take up a significant amount of the courts’ time,” Mayor Craig Copeland said. “Add a shortage of judges to the scenario and the situation becomes critical. The public needs to see a system that works in order to maintain safe communities and the general public’s faith in the courts.”

On Feb. 13, a federal court released a decision in Hameed v. Canada (Prime Minister), 2024 FC 242, that ordered the federal government to fill judicial vacancies within a “reasonable timeline,” noting that the federal government is failing in its obligation to provide Canadians with timely access to justice. This month, the federal government announced it was appealing the decision.

The court ordered the appointment of judges such that vacancies would be reduced to at least to 2016 levels since “…in this manner the Court expects the untenable and appalling crisis, and critical judicial vacancy situation found by this Court as identified by the Chief Justice and Canadian Judicial Council will be resolved.”

The City of Cold Lake has been focused on the issue of public safety and crime for some time, adding additional members and public servants to the Cold Lake RCMP Detachment’s compliment, funding a police dog service, and funding a commercial security program.

“The RCMP, bylaw officers, and security firms have been doing their part, but in the end, they require an efficient and effective judicial system if justice is to be served,” Copeland said. “Our communities have been plagued by repeat offenders and the product of a revolving-door justice system, but how can the system make improvements if it is chronically understaffed?”

Appointments to the federal court system are made by the Governor General on the advice of Cabinet and the federal justice minister or the Prime Minister.

“This is a core function of the federal government and they’ve been asleep at the wheel,” Copeland said. “In order for our courts to work, we need the federal government to get to work. They need to focus on doing their job rather than fighting our understaffed court system. This is an issue more municipalities should be aware of and advocate for since it has a real impact on our ability to provide our residents with safe communities.”

Council will consider the possibility of raising the issue as a resolution for all Canadian municipalities to consider at a future Regular Meeting of Council.