Lawyers say the premier’s criticism of rulings on Indigenous rights reflects ‘a troubling trend.’

B.C. Premier David Eby defended his right to criticize court decisions despite organizations that represent lawyers calling his recent comments unfair and irresponsible.

“The idea that the premier should not comment, should not indicate any position on the court decisions, is patently absurd,” Eby said in an interview in his office. “I will continue to point out that I think the decisions are unhelpful.”

The Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia said Eby was “undermining public confidence in the justice system” and his comments “reflect a troubling national trend in which politicians use the courts as punching bags to score political points.”

It quoted association president Rebecca McConchie reminding politicians that the courts are part of a system of checks and balances. “The job of the court is not to be helpful to the government. It is to interpret and apply the law without fear or favour.”

  • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
    91·
    2 days ago

    “While the Premier is entitled to disagree with a court ruling — and to appeal it — he is not entitled to use his platform to attack judges who cannot respond publicly.”

    I think Eby can express his government’s position of disagreement and a reasonable amount of frustration on the ruling.

    Eby’s comments at the BC CoC:

    “To face such dramatic, overreaching and unhelpful court decisions as we have seen over the last couple of months, is deeply troubling… It’s hard to understate the damage that could be done or has already been done to public support for the delicate, critical and necessary work we have to do with First Nations… British Columbians, not judges, have to decide our path forward. There are no judicial shortcuts to this work.”

    In contrast with Doug Ford’s “bleeding heart liberal judges” comment, and the Smith government’s overt legislative contempt for the work the court does, Eby is just coming to terms with the difficult but necessary job of reconciliation in front of his government.

    • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksOPEnglish
      9·
      2 days ago

      That’s fine. He should not be doing it publically tho. Dude is starting to sound like Smith and Trump, whining about what he wants vs what the courts have mandated.

      • Rentlar@lemmy.ca
        31·
        2 days ago

        That is a fair criticism. It is also totally fair to criticize Eby’s government acting like it wants to go back on the promises made in conforming to UNDRIP last term.

        You can disagree with me and be the judge of Eby’s comments in my first reply, but to me it just amounts to a bit of frustrated grumbling, not setting an expectation that courts are supposed to help him enact his agenda like Smith/Ford. If only conservatives are given licence to speak their mind at all on a court case, then that’s why conservatives get the airtime. As an example to back up this point, look at what happened with the whole ostrich debacle where the CFIA kept quiet. A whole international hubbub erupted over what was supposed to be a routine measure to protect against the spread of bird flu.