Law Society Panel on Aboriginal Judges

Last month, in recognition of National Aboriginal Day, the Law Society of Upper Canada hosted a seminar on the role of aboriginal judges. The event also looked at the situation of aboriginal people in the criminal justice system.

Panelists included two Aboriginal judges, Justice Harry LaForme (Ontario Court of Appeal) and Justice Todd Ducharme (Superior Court of Justice of Ontario) as well as Justice Patrick Sheppard (Ontario Court of Justice - no relation), Assistant Crown Attorney Fred Bartley, and Frances Sanderson from the Aboriginal Legal Services Community Council. Justice LaForme is the first Aboriginal person appointed to any appellate court in Canada.