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HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-09-07, Page 5Wednesday, September 7, 2016 • News Record 5 www.clintonnewsrecord.com PoV: The public should help oversee judges There's a well-known joke about juries. An accused burglar is asked whether or not he wants to face a jury of his peers. He responds, "No, sir, I don't want to be judged by that gang of thieves." Yet many professionals, such as doctors and law- yers, are routinely judged by their peers -- physi- cians' colleges or law societies, for example (no, we're not calling them thieves; it's just a metaphor). But these dis- ciplinary bodies blend their expert peers with citizens from other back- grounds. In Ontario, police go one step fur- ther: Their actions are overseen explicitly by civilian organizations, to avoid the perceived taint of officers investigating their own. So what about the peo- ple who have remarkable powers to alter the lives of Canadians, for better or worse, by presiding over our courtrooms? The investigations sys- tem for federally appointed judges is managed separately from government, in the spirit of judicial independence, by the Canadian Judicial Council. But the Depart- ment of Justice has asked for feedback from the public on how it ought to oversee these judges, which could lead to changes to the Judges Act. The rather quiet consulta- tion finished Wednesday with some provinces, a handful of legal groups and six individuals weighing in on the topic. One legal ethics group is urging that the investigations involve more regular Canadians. Currently, the only point in the investigation of these judges in which a layperson is involved is on a committee that could later prompt an inquiry; that inquiry would be conducted by judges and lawyers. This discussion comes as the judicial council is set to investigate com- ments by Robin Camp, an Alberta justice who asked an alleged rape victim: "Why couldn't you just keep your knees together?" Each year, the judicial council receives roughly 200 complaints, most dealt with in 90 days. Many are beyond what can be investigated; crankiness about a ruling is not grounds for an investigation, for exam- ple. But ones that are seri- ous can involve some offence to public mores. That's one reason to involve laypeople, who would bring a different perspective than lawyers or judges. It would help peel back the veil on an St. Onge named Princess of the Furrow Shaun Gregory Postmedia Network The 2017 International Plowing Match in Walton is just around the corner. The event that's expected to attract hundreds of thousands will have a young Seaforth female, also a St. Anne's student, to represent the global agricul- ture experience. In the second week of August, Irelyn St. Onge was named the 2016/2017 Huron Plowmen Princess of the Furrow at the 89th Annual Huron County Plowing Match. With a vocabulary and conversation skills of a University student, it's hard to fathom that she's only 16 -years -old. The ability to speak maturely and St. Onge's devotion to farming made her the prime candidate against all the other females. This year there were seven young ladies who were arbi- trated by three judges. They were asked questions followed by a speech relating to agriculture, Huron County or a combination of the two. St. Onge emphasized her family lineage in farming that dates back some four generations before her time. There is also a strong Irish heritage of agriculture on her mother's side, hence the name Irelyn. "Most importantly the roots in agriculture is to all of us, whether you come from a rural community or you are actually from (an) urban community," stated St. Onge in a recent interview. St. Onge said being the face of the 2017 IPM and representing the Huron County Plowmen's Associa- tion are big shoes to fill, but seeing as her sister was the 2010/2011 Princess of the Furrow winner, the load will be a little lighter. According to St. Onge, this year is also much different than other IPM years as this will be the first time they will host a princess competition. Along with being named the princess, the Seaforth native will also be in charge of endorsing the contest. "It's my job to promote that competition all through- out Ontario, so we have lots of princesses hopefully from all over the province," St. Onge said last week adding that she will be doing this alongside with the Queen of the Furrow. Besides being a student, she will divide her time between her educational matters as well as fairs or parades as it will be her duty to attend all the functions. She went on to say that she's excited for this year and the next leading into the 2017 IPM. She ended by commenting that farming is a part of everyone's lives. "When you live in Sea - forth, you might live in town, but you still have a connec- tion to all the agriculture," she said. "Every second friend of mine has a farm." insular group: As the Canadian Association for Legal Ethics argues, the public's involvement has a bolstering effect on public confidence in the judicial system. And why shouldn't more laypeople be involved? After all, if we trust Canadians enough to put them on a jury that could send someone to prison for decades, we can easily trust them to evaluate a judge's conduct. - Postmedia Network Irelyn St. Onge, 16, from Seaforth showcases her ploughing skills. Photo courtesy of Facebook Check out 2017 IPM event below To celebrate 'one—year away,' the IPM 2017 Entertainment Committee has put together an IPM Cross County Con- voy on Sunday September 25, the Sunday following the Wel- lington County IPM 2016. They have a goal of 100 trac- tors including tractors of all years and models that can reach a minimum speed of 10 -miles per hour attend- ing the event and will leave the IPM 2016 match site in Wellington County at 11 a.m. and arrive at the Brus- sels Arena at 4 p.m. trav- elling a total of 51 km. The tractors will be led out of Wellington by IPM 2017 Exec- utive Member and marathon runner Lynne Godkin. Bleach- ers will line Sports Drive in Brussels for the community to welcome their arrival. "The International Plowing Match and Rural Expo is so much more than tractors and plowing," said Jacquie Bishop, Chair of IPM 2017. "That is why we are inviting others to participate in the convoy." Non -tractor participants will be gathering at Brus- sels Livestock and will join into the convoy. To partici- pate in the convoy, register with Brad & Trina McBride 519 226 3227 or email coun- tyconvoy@gmail.com. Following their arrival, there will be a Harvest Dinner put on by the Brussels Agricul- ture Society at 5:30PM and an Entertainment Show at 7:OOPM that will preview the acts that are expected to attend the IPM 2017. Their goal is to raise funds to aid in hosting the Brus- sels Fall Fair at next year's plow match. Tickets are $30 for adults and $15 for kids (6-12) and can be pur- chased from members of the Brussels Agriculture Soci- ety, McGavin's Farm Equip- ment, and Townsend Tire. For information in regards to ticket purchases and the Entertainment Show contact Sherry McCall at 519.527.1307.