Emilie Vadeboncoeur – Director of Communications and Marketing
This year, the Supreme Court of Canada is celebrating its 150th anniversary. As part of the celebrations, Bishop’s University will have the honour of welcoming three sitting judges from Canada’s highest court for a special public event on Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 5 p.m. in Centennial Theatre.
Graphic courtesy of Rianna Ostrosser
The event, titled Beyond the Bench: A Dialogue with Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada, will take the form of a town hall-style conversation where members of the public can ask questions directly to the justices. This free event offers a rare opportunity for students, faculty and community members to engage with the judges about the Court’s work and its role in Canada’s democracy. The goal is to foster an honest dialogue about the challenges and responsibilities of those who serve on the nation’s highest bench.
The sitting judges consist of Chief Justice Richard Wagner, Justices Mahmud Jamal and Mary T. Moreau.
Chief Justice Richard Wagner was appointed in 2017. His focus has been on making the Supreme Court more transparent and accessible to Canadians through public outreach and plain language case summaries. The Montreal native and former Quebec Court of Appeal Judge is known for defending judicial independence, modernizing court operations and strengthening confidence in Canada’s justice system.
Justice Mahmud Jamal was appointed in 2021 as the first person of colour to serve on Canada’s Supreme Court. Mahmud is known for his advocacy for equality, access to justice and public understanding of Canada’s legal system. He was previously a respected appellate lawyer and Ontario Court of Appeal judge with expertise in constitutional, administrative and human rights law.
Justice Mary Moreau joined the Supreme Court in 2023 as the first Franco-Albertan justice on the Supreme Court. She is known for promoting bilingualism, inclusion and fair access to justice across Canada. She previously served as Chief Justice of Alberta’s Court of King’s Bench.
By meeting directly with citizens, the justices hope to simplify the judicial process and show that the Court is more than a distant institution. The judges wish to portray their court as a vital part of Canadian democracy that affects people’s lives in meaningful ways.
Seats for the event can be reserved through the Centennial Theatre website, and questions may be submitted in advance to Sherbrooke150@scc-csc.ca.
The Campus 