Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Minister, I would like to hear your comments on a matter we haven't addressed until now.
Have monetary penalties been considered as one of the possible sentences or consequences of an offending judge's conduct?
Going back to the example of Justice Girouard, we could consider the matter of salary paid during the hearing and proceedings. There's also the matter of the pension that's subsequently paid. Is there any way to adjust pension payments in accordance with the decision rendered?
What particularly interests me is the issue of court costs. I understand that Bill C‑9 would set a limit on the reimbursement of legal fees that a judge could pay.
However, has anyone considered the possibility, for example, of asking offending judges to pay court costs in the event they're found guilty of misconduct? The Judicial Council obviously decides whether a judge should be sanctioned.
However, if it's decided that a judge should be sanctioned for gross misconduct, do you think it would be appropriate to provide for the Judicial Council to have the option, without being compelled to exercise it, of requiring the offending judge to repay, in whole or in part, any fees that the government is required to pay for his or her defence?