Chief Justice Wagner said his priority is to bring the SCC 'closer to the people'
As part of the Supreme Court of Canada's 150th-anniversary celebrations, Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Justices Suzanne Côté and Sheilah L. Martin will visit Moncton, New Brunswick, on March 10-11.
The visit aims to enhance public understanding of the court's role in Canadian democracy and provide direct engagement opportunities with students, legal professionals, and the general public.
"One of my priorities as Chief Justice has been to bring the Supreme Court of Canada closer to the people we serve because understanding the justice system strengthens public confidence in it," Chief Justice Wagner said in a news release. "As we commemorate the Court's 150th anniversary in 2025, my colleagues and I are eager to engage with the people of Moncton and continue fostering a greater appreciation of the Court's role in Canadian society."
A local committee led by Chief Justice J.C. Marc Richard and the judiciary, legal professionals, and academic institutions is organizing the visit.
"It is an honour to welcome the judges of the Supreme Court of Canada to Moncton and our province," Chief Justice Richard said. "Their visit provides a unique opportunity for New Brunswickers to engage directly with the country's highest court and gain deeper insight into our judiciary's role in upholding justice, fairness, and the rule of law."
The two-day visit includes several public and educational events. On March 10, the justices will meet with students and faculty members from the Université de Moncton Faculty of Law, with participation from students at the University of New Brunswick's Faculty of Law. They will also visit Moncton City Hall.
On March 11, the justices will interact with local secondary school students, answering questions about the Canadian justice system. Later that afternoon, they will participate in a public forum titled "Beyond the Bench: A Dialogue with Judges of the Supreme Court of Canada" at the Capitol Theatre in Moncton. The public can attend the event for free and submit questions in advance. Judges will also participate in discussions with members of the local legal community.
The Moncton visit is part of a broader series of engagements across Canada in 2025, marking the Supreme Court's 150th anniversary. Members of the court recently visited Victoria, British Columbia, and additional stops are planned in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories (September 14-15); Sherbrooke, Quebec (October 21-23); and Thunder Bay, Ontario (November 17-18). Other anniversary activities will take place throughout the year.
