Iacobucci Jury Roll Review

On August 11, 2011, the Ontario Government announced that an independent review would be conducted into the issue of First Nations Reserve community members’ exclusion from jury rolls in Ontario.  Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice, the Honourable Justice Frank Iacobucci, was appointed to conduct a systemic review by reporting on past practices, and to make recommendations to enhance representation of First Nations in the justice system. His report was released on February 26, 2013.

“Operation Invite”

The Falconers team, including lawyers Julian Falconer, Julian Roy, Meaghan Daniel, Marc Gibson, and Akosua Matthews,  provided legal support to Nishnawbe Aski Nation in its ground breaking volunteer jury initiative in northern remote communitie.  The initiative, aimed at redressing the exclusion of Aboriginal communities from jury rolls in Ontario, was called “Operation Invite”. Lawyers from Falconers LLP, on behalf of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, visited First Nations communities in the Thunder Bay and Kenora regional districts, providing information about Coroners Inquest juries and offering the opportunity to volunteer as a jury member. The idea for a volunteer jury list for Coroners Inquests was one of seventeen recommendations made by former Supreme Court Justice Frank Iacobucci in his report.

Related Documents

Implementation Committee Member profiles

Julian Falconer with Chief Bart Meekis of Sandy Lake First Nation and Elder Barney Batise during Operation Invite

Julian Falconer with Chief Bart Meekis of Sandy Lake First Nation and Elder Barney Batise during Operation Invite

Nishnawbe Aski Nation Press release. June 21, 2013
Attorney General Press release. June 21, 2013
Justice Iacobucci’s Jury Roll Report

Ontario Press Release. August 11, 2011
Court of Appeal Judgment. March 10, 2011
Mandate of Jury Roll Inquiry. August 11, 2011
Nishnawbe Aski Nation Press Release. August 11, 2011
Backgrounder on Jury Roll. August 11, 2011

Letter- Julian Falconer to Attorney General Chris Bentley. September 10, 2008
Response from Attorney General Chris Bentley to Julian Falconer. October 15, 2008

Further Documents

The Jury System and First Nations People- Frequently Asked Questions
Map
Flyer (English)
Flyer (Oji-Cree)
Affidavit of Rolanda Peacock. September 8, 2008

In the News

Quick Action Needed on Jury Roll Issue   Wawatay News Online, March  7, 2013

Ontario Names First Nation Jury Roll Panel   CBC, September 19, 2013

NAN Deputy Chief Applauds Investigation Into Jury Rolls   The Daily Press, August 13, 2011

Jury Rolls in Crisis   TB News Watch, February 26, 2013

Jury Roll Issues Could Cripple Justice System   March 31, 2011

Jury Roll Committee Revealed at Toronto News Conference   TB News Watch, September 20, 2013

Judicial Inquiry Into Jury Rolls Ordered   Miner & News, March 12, 2011

340 Aboriginals Volunteer for Inquest Jury Rolls in Northern Ontario   March 5, 2015

 

See Also:

R v. Kokopenace

Nishnawbe Aski Nation v. Eden

 

Case Team