Especially after the Freedom Convoy, authorities should consider it an important building that must be protected, says Richard Wagner
“We know that since the terrorist attack a few years ago on Parliament Hill, authorities re-evaluated security measures for parliamentary buildings. But unfortunately, I have the impression that, to a certain extent, the Supreme Court building is a bit the poor cousin” in terms of security and protection, Wagner said during his annual press conference with reporters on Thursday.
There are no gates, no bollards, jersey bollards and no permanent Parliamentary Protective Services agents permanently posted in front of the building’s entrances like there are in front of West block, for example. Vehicles can also freely access the roads all around the building, whereas drivers must go through guarded checkpoints to access the parliamentary precinct.
“Most recent events show that priority was put on parliamentary buildings, but not on the Supreme Court building. I would hope the Supreme Court building would be considered a priority in terms of safety and security,” Wagner told reporters. “You have judicial assistants to judges who work for $30,000, $35,000 per year. Judges don’t have help; financial means and resources are limited. Judges aren’t able to their job because they don’t have adequate resources,” Wagner insisted.Richard Wagner
Wagner, who was named chief justice in 2017, says the COVID-19 pandemic had a transformative effect on how the country’s top court operates, forcing it to allow lawyers to appear virtually instead of needing to plead in person in Ottawa.
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