An Act to establish Judicial Independence Day

Bill S-291 was a Senate Private Member's Bill establishing Judicial Independence Day in 44-1 (Senate predecessor to 45-1 Bill S-219). The day would mark the principle that judges must be free from political pressure when deciding cases. The principle traces to the Act of Settlement, 1701 (which the Constitution Act, 1867 incorporated into Canada) and to the Supreme Court of Canada's binding ruling in Reference re Remuneration of Judges of the Provincial Court (P.E.I.) (1997) which held that the constitution requires independent compensation commissions to insulate judicial pay from political interference. The bill responded to ongoing federal-judicial-appointment-process scrutiny following the 2019 SNC-Lavalin DPA direction controversy. Did not pass third reading; reintroduced as S-219 of 45-1.