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.”
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.