Justice Development Goals Blog

The Honourable Justice George Czutrin is a family law expert, a tireless worker for improvement in family law and the senior family judge of the Superior Court of Justice in Ontario. He has been a family law judge since 1993 and his dedication to the pursuit of improved family law justice is unsurpassed.

John Sims was recently named a Member of the Order of Canada for his commitment to access to justice and for his principled and respected leadership as a senior public servant. Since “retiring” as the deputy minister of Justice and deputy attorney general of Canada, John has devoted his enormous energy and his many skills to efforts to improving access to justice. He agreed to respond to some questions from me to help mark this important recognition.

Canada’s Justice Development Goals map ambitious change for our justice system. Not only do we need to see progress on each of the goals, we have committed to guiding principles for how to do that.

On the cusp of the new year, I am reflecting on my experience as Chair of the Action Committee.  As many people know, I have retired from the Supreme Court of Canada, but been asked by Chief Justice McLachlin to remain active as Chair of this Committee, continuing to build momentum on access to justice in Canada.

As work to improve access to justice in civil and family matters continues to gain momentum across Canada, the Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters is pleased to announce the launch of a major project to develop and publish a Status Report on the State of Access to Justice in Canada.