Summary#
This bill would name January 11 of every year as “Judicial Independence Day” across Canada. It is a symbolic designation. The text does not create a holiday, require closures, or set new rules. It states the reasons in a preamble about the rule of law and an event on January 11, 2020, in Warsaw (Preamble).
- Names January 11 as Judicial Independence Day nationwide (Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Does not create paid time off or mandate any closures.
- Adds no new programs, regulations, or penalties (Short Title; Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Signals support for judicial independence and awareness of threats abroad (Preamble).
What it means for you#
- Households
- January 11 would be an observance day. You may see statements or events. Daily life stays the same unless local groups choose to mark the day (Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Workers
- No automatic day off or overtime rules change. Work schedules stay as usual unless your employer chooses to hold an event (Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Businesses and employers
- No requirement to close or modify operations. You may choose to communicate about the day or host optional activities.
- Schools and universities
- No mandated curriculum changes or closures. Schools may choose to hold civics or law-related activities on or around January 11.
- Courts and the legal community
- No change to court hours or procedures. Legal groups may choose to host voluntary events or public education.
- Federal, provincial, and municipal governments
- The bill does not require any government to spend funds or run programs. Agencies may issue statements or organize optional events (Judicial Independence Day clause).
Expenses#
Estimated net cost: CAD $0 in direct appropriations; any discretionary communications or event costs are possible but not required.
- No spending, fees, or mandates appear in the bill text (Short Title; Judicial Independence Day clause).
- No official fiscal note identified: Data unavailable.
- Any costs would come from optional communications or events by public bodies: Data unavailable.
Proponents' View#
- Highlights the rule of law and the need for an impartial, independent judiciary, which supports democracy and human rights (Preamble).
- Commemorates the January 11, 2020 “1,000 Robes March” and responds to the International Association of Judges’ request for recognition (Preamble).
- Provides a clear, recurring date to focus public education on judicial independence, at low cost since the bill adds no programs or mandates (Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Expresses support for judges who face pressures and interference, both in Canada’s public discourse and abroad (Preamble).
Opponents' View#
- Limited practical effect: the bill only names a day and does not change laws, funding, staffing, or court schedules (Judicial Independence Day clause).
- Potential for minor administrative costs if governments choose to promote the day; amounts are not stated (Data unavailable).
- The Preamble references events in Poland and global threats; critics may view this as symbolic foreign-policy signaling rather than addressing domestic issues (Preamble).
- Adding another observance day may diffuse attention across many symbolic dates; the bill does not include measures to evaluate impact or public awareness (Judicial Independence Day clause).