Canadian Judicial Council completes review of matter involving the Honourable Diana Piccoli
A review panel, constituted by the Canadian Judicial Council (Council), has completed its review and reached a decision in the matter of Justice Diana Piccoli, which stemmed from political donations she made after her appointment to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in May of 2019.
Following a thorough consideration of the matter, the review panel concluded that there was no basis on which Justice Piccoli’s removal from office could be justified in the circumstances. However, the panel noted that political donations by a judge are not trivial and have the potential to undermine public confidence in the independence of the judiciary. Pursuant to section 102 of the Judges Act, the panel therefore concluded it should issue a public expression of concern over the matter. The panel otherwise noted corrective actions taken by Justice Piccoli including reporting the donations to the Council and undertaking training on ethical issues for judges, as well as positive comments and letters of support received from the legal community.
The Review Panel was comprised of the Honourable Chief Justice Michael J. Wood, the Honourable Justice Catherine L. Dawson, and a member of the public, Ms. Parand Meysami.
A copy of the review panel’s full decision can be accessed from the Council’s website.
Procedures for the Review of Complaints
In June 2023, the Judges Act was amended to bring changes to the judicial conduct regime. The Council subsequently adopted new Procedures for the Review of Complaints or Allegations About Federally Appointed Judges (2023), as well as a new policy regarding the Publication of Judicial Conduct Decisions.
Ethical Principles
In 2021, the Council adopted an updated version of its ethical principles (previously published in 1998 and updated in 2004), Ethical Principles for Judges. While not a code of conduct, the principles provide aspirational guidance to federally appointed judges, as well as information to the public, in relation to judicial ethical issues.
The principles include a section related to political activity and notes judges must cease all partisan political activity upon the assumption of judicial office.
About the Canadian Judicial Council
The Council was created in 1971 by the Canadian Parliament to maintain and improve the quality of judicial services in Canada's superior courts. It has the power and duty to ensure the proper conduct of federally appointed judges. The Council also provides judges with a continuing education program and ethical principles, as well as other tools to assist judges in preserving and protecting public confidence in the judicial system.
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Contact :
Krista Ferraro
Director of Communications and Strategic Issues Management / Directrice des communications et de la gestion des questions stratégiques
Canadian Judicial Council / Conseil canadien de la magistrature