A review panel of the Canadian Judicial Council reaches a decision in a matter involving the Honourable Negar Azmudeh
Ottawa, August 1st, 2025 – A review panel constituted by the Canadian Judicial Council (Council) has completed its review and reached a decision in a matter involving Justice Negar Azmudeh of the Federal Court. The matter stemmed from a complaint alleging Justice Azmudeh’s involvement in a workplace complaint and investigation at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), where Justice Azmudeh worked prior to her judicial appointment. The complainant alleged among other things that Justice Azmudeh had failed to disclose the IRB complaint and investigation on her application for judicial appointment.
Following a review of the complaint by a screening officer, the matter was referred to the Honourable Michael J. Wood, Chief Justice of Nova Scotia, as the designated reviewing member in this matter. Following his own review of the file, Chief Justice Wood referred it to a review panel pursuant to section 95 of the Judges Act, and section 7.11(b) of the Council’s Review Procedures (2025).
After a thorough consideration of the matter, the review panel concluded there was no basis on which Justice Azmudeh’s removal from office could be justified in the circumstances, nor could the complaint be dismissed. The review panel noted the complainant provided no evidence of Justice Azmudeh engaging in the alleged conduct or intervening in the IRB complaint as he had alleged. However, Justice Azmudeh’s failure to disclose the ongoing IRB workplace investigation in her judicial application form undermined to a certain degree the integrity of the assessment process for applicants for the federal judiciary. While such non-disclosure can be serious and can undermine the judicial selection process, the review panel accepts there was no intention on the part of Justice Azmudeh to deliberately mislead the Judicial Advisory Committee responsible for assessing her application, and noted she was proactive in disclosing other complaints in her application. The review panel therefore concluded that issuing a public expression of concern under section 102 of the Judges Act was appropriate in the circumstances.
The review panel was comprised of the Honourable Associate Chief Kenneth G. Nielsen of the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, the Honourable Justice Grant M. Currie, of the Court of King’s Bench of Saskatchewan, and a member of the public, Ms. Jacqueline Foord.
A copy of the review panel’s full decision can be accessed from the Council’s website.
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 investigate complaints into the conduct of federally appointed judges. The Council is also responsible for the continuing education of judges, as well as for developing other tools and programs to maintain public confidence in the judicial system.
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