A word about self-regulated bodies. Lawyers are regulated by the Law Society of
Saskatchewan. A body of lawyers
regulating the conduct of their own.
Judges are more difficult to deal with respecting any
misconduct. If one is not pleased with a
judge for whatever reason they can file a written complaint to the Canadian
Judicial Council. If you don’t agree
with their decision you can make an application at the Federal Court for
Judicial Review of the Canadian Judicial Councils decision. This would be judge’s ruling against judges. How well will that work for you as a mere
citizen?
The Saskatchewan Medical Association and the College of
Physicians and Surgeons both play an important role in monitoring and managing
complaints respecting practicing physicians and Surgeons. If you are concerned with any misconduct
respecting doctors, Surgeons or any other person acting as a professional within
the health care system then you are well advised to write a letter to either
the SMA or the College and they will instruct you as to your appropriate course
of action.
Then there are the elected politicians and appointed
Senators. Politicians are regulated by
the House of Commons if what they say or their actions take place within the
confines of the House of Commons.
Senators are regulated by themselves with the confines of the
Senate. If what wrong doing of politicians
or Senators messes with laws not controlled by either the House of Commons or
the Senate then you end up with another Mike Duffy trial. Senator Duffy was found not criminally
responsible of any of the charges brought against him, but the Senate is still
going after him for alleged inappropriate expense claims. And so the saga continues.
All of the above professions, and I use that word loosely as
it applies to politicians and Senators, need to consider carefully if the
overall public good is being respectfully served by self-regulation. And it should apply especially as it regards
judges across Canada.
