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
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: