Chief Justice Richard Wagner is warning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that a chronic shortage of judges in the federal court system is putting criminal trials at risk and could undermine public confidence in democratic institutions.
In a scathing letter dated May 3 and obtained by Radio-Canada, Wagner said he is “very concerned” by the high number of vacancies in the superior and appeal courts — 85 empty bench positions out of approximately 1,200.
Several courts across the country routinely operate with 10 to 15 per cent of their judicial positions vacant, Wagner said, and the process to fill these positions can take many months.
The chief justice said the
