Close X
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
ADVT 
National

Prof Apologizes For Complaint Against B.C. Judge Hearing Sexual Assault Case

The Canadian Press, 12 Apr, 2017 12:36 PM
    VANCOUVER — A law professor who filed a complaint against a British Columbia Supreme Court judge hearing a sexual assault case has issued an apology, saying there were no grounds for the claim.
     
    Benjamin Perrin of the University of British Columbia filed a complaint last month with the Canadian Judicial Council based on comments attributed to Justice Peter Leask in a media report from a court hearing on March 20.
     
    "I have since learned the full context for the remarks and concluded that they do not support the claims I made in the complaint or my public statements," Perrin said Tuesday in an email to The Canadian Press.
     
    "I have therefore formally withdrawn my complaint to the Canadian Judicial Council in its entirety," he said.
     
    "I wish to offer my full and unreserved apology to Justice Leask. I regret both the issuing of the complaint and the public comments I made at the time."
     
    At the time, Perrin said he was concerned about public confidence in the administration of justice.
     
    He declined comment on Tuesday.
     
    A transcript of Leask's comments were released by the court after the complaint was filed. It shows the judge was discussing scheduling issues with lawyers at the trial and whether the case would require the court to hear evidence over the course of two weeks.
     
     
    "Full disclosure. I live in Vancouver," he says in the transcript. "I come here because it's my duty. Kamloops is a wonderful place, but I like sleeping in my own bed. So, going home early this week anyway, so I'm due to come back here next week anyway, so to do the second half of this case, not a big problem."
     
    Leask goes on to say he thinks British Columbia is nine judges short of a full complement.
     
    "I do have this general concern. I don't know how it has impacted on Kamloops, but the Supreme Court of British Columbia is at the moment very short handed," he said.
     
    Charges in the case were stayed by the Crown. A spokesman for the B.C. Criminal Justice Branch has said the Crown's decision was not influenced by any comments made by the court in the course of scheduling discussions by the judge.
     
    Attorney General Suzanne Anton said at the time the remarks attributed to Leask were "ill-considered" but they did not impact the outcome of the case. No one from the Attorney General's Ministry was available to comment on Tuesday.
     
    The Canadian Judicial Council is a federal body that reviews complaints or allegations against superior court judges. It is chaired by the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada and consists of 38 other council members who are chief justices and associate chief justices of the country's superior courts.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    FIRST LOOK: New $10 Bank Note Unveiled To Celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial

    FIRST LOOK: New $10 Bank Note Unveiled To Celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial
    OTTAWA — The Bank of Canada has unveiled a new $10 bank note to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation — and it will mark the first time an indigenous Canadian and a woman other than the Queen are featured on the country's currency.

    FIRST LOOK: New $10 Bank Note Unveiled To Celebrate Canada's Sesquicentennial

    Public Services Minister Judy Foote Taking Leave From Trudeau Cabinet For Family Reasons

    Public Services Minister Judy Foote Taking Leave From Trudeau Cabinet For Family Reasons
    Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Public Services Minister Judy Foote is taking an indefinite leave of absence from her job for personal and family reasons.

    Public Services Minister Judy Foote Taking Leave From Trudeau Cabinet For Family Reasons

    Motorists Urged To Use Road Sense Around Dopey, Hungry Bears On B.C. Roadsides

    Motorists Urged To Use Road Sense Around Dopey, Hungry Bears On B.C. Roadsides
    NANAIMO, B.C. — Bears across British Columbia are emerging from hibernation and the BC Conservation Officer Service says they are hungry and will stop anywhere for a snack.

    Motorists Urged To Use Road Sense Around Dopey, Hungry Bears On B.C. Roadsides

    Ex-Nurse Charged With Killing Eight Seniors Waives Right To Prelim

    Ex-Nurse Charged With Killing Eight Seniors Waives Right To Prelim
    WOODSTOCK, Ont. — A former Ontario nurse accused of killing eight seniors in her care has waived her right to a preliminary hearing and will go straight to trial.

    Ex-Nurse Charged With Killing Eight Seniors Waives Right To Prelim

    Surrey RCMP Seize Thousands Of Dollars In Allegedly Stolen Goods From Store

    Surrey RCMP Seize Thousands Of Dollars In Allegedly Stolen Goods From Store
    Surrey RCMP advises that a retail theft fencing operation was shut down recently in the City Centre area.

    Surrey RCMP Seize Thousands Of Dollars In Allegedly Stolen Goods From Store

    Ontario Passes Motion Calling 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Genocide, India Terms Move Misguided

    Ontario Passes Motion Calling 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Genocide, India Terms Move Misguided
    The Government of Ontario province in Canada on Friday passed a motion in the Legislative Assembly to officially recognise the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as “Sikh genocide” while calling upon “all sides to embrace truth and reconciliation.”

    Ontario Passes Motion Calling 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots Genocide, India Terms Move Misguided