Rideau Hall, Thursday, September 11, 2008

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Rideau Hall and to welcome our overseas guests to Canada.

This public institution—which I proudly represent as governor general—is the oldest in the country and represents the historic ties that exist between Canada and the United Kingdom.

These ties, which have united us over centuries and across borders, are more important that ever, as it will take great solidarity to meet the challenges we are facing today.

I would like to take this opportunity to salute this Exchange, which is a perfect example of this willingness to share ideas and experiences to shed new light on the issues affecting us all.

Although justice is not practised in the same way everywhere—not even within our own national borders here in Canada—it has still expanded to global proportions and its jurisdictions are far less rigid.

Our judicial systems, while still permanent and reliable, are evolving in a global context.

Consider the influence judicial systems and cultures have on one another and how they enrich one another.

Think of the new conflict resolution methods and co‑operation procedures that have been created, especially with respect to security and the environment.

Not to mention the increasing number of international jurisdictions, like the International Court of Justice, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization.

Our societies are opening further and evolving at an astonishing rate. Our justice systems—the very pillars of our society—must therefore open up as well and evolve at the same rate.

We must take stock of these changes—like you are doing with this Exchange—so that we can understand the repercussions these changes will have on our legislation, our court systems and how they work, and explore the possibilities that they provide.

I have absolutely no doubt that in a world in which we are increasingly linked to one another, we have no choice but to expand our definition of freedom and responsibility.

Every person, every country has rights and responsibilities, rights and responsibilities that are inextricably linked to the well-being and future of the entire human race.

And I believe that our judicial systems—which are based on the rule of law, democracy and fairness—and you, the people who represent these systems with wisdom and sound judgment, can make an essential contribution to that well-being and that future, which we want to make better for everyone.

I would like to quote our Chief Justice, the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin. She said:

“Like every other human institutional endeavour, justice is an ongoing process. It is never done, never fully achieved. Each decade, each year, each month, indeed each day, brings new challenges.”

The questions you raise are proof of this.

They show us that judicial systems play an essential role in helping our societies reflect on our notions of justice and freedom.

How does a country’s legislation apply outside its borders, especially in terms of human rights?

How do we find a balance between security and freedom in a world of rising fundamentalism and ongoing terrorist acts?

What are the repercussions of allowing the media and large-scale distribution mediums like the Internet to have greater access to our courts?

These are the challenges that require us to think and work together, and to have a real desire to increase our efforts to protect the dignity and rights of each and every human being.

In that light, we have every reason to celebrate your discussions and the resulting exchanges.

Thank you for your commitment, a commitment that goes well beyond the courts.

I hope that your discussions prove enlightening and full of promise.