Alberta Lawyers for Judicial Independence is a non-partisan coalition of lawyers and retired judges committed to defending judicial independence and the rule of law. Our members come from diverse legal backgrounds and hold a range of political views. What unites us is a shared belief that an independent judiciary is essential to protecting the rights and freedoms of all Albertans. 

In recent months, the Alberta government has made false claims that our courts are at odds with democracy. It has characterized judicial decisions as anti-democratic and gone so far as to allege a judge’s decision is less legitimate because of who appointed them. These attacks have been directed primarily at federally appointed judges, who serve on the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta and the Court of Appeal of Alberta. Such claims are not only wrong, they are dangerous.

Independent courts are a cornerstone of every modern democracy. They provide an essential check on government power and protect the rights and freedoms of individuals. Every Albertan benefits from knowing that their case will be decided fairly and impartially, free from political influence and public pressure. In that sense, judicial independence does not belong to judges; it belongs to the public. When governments attack judges for political gain, they undermine  confidence in the judicial system and erode trust in democratic institutions. 

Against the backdrop of these attacks, the government now asks Albertans through Question #6 of the October referendum whether the provinces should seek a constitutional amendment to remove the federal government’s historical responsibility for appointing superior court judges.

This is not how judicial independence works. Judges are chosen based on merit, qualifications, and a commitment to applying the law impartially, not on whether their values align with the government of the day. We ask Albertans to reject Question #6 and send a message that we stand for judicial independence.