No action will be taken against a Regina judge, who in September visited Tristen Durocher’s protest camp after ruling in his favour.
Graeme Mitchell went to the camp of the Métis man, two days after ruling that the bylaws governing Wascana grounds were unconstitutional.
Several complaints were lodged with the Canadian Judicial Council after Mitchell was seen posing for photographs and accepting gifts.
“Justice Mitchell’s conduct was inconsistent with the ethical obligations that all judges are sworn to uphold, the matter was not serious enough to possibly warrant his removal,” said the Judicial Conduct Committee. “The Review Panel expressed concerns that through his actions, Justice Mitchell put himself in a position that was inconsistent with the obligation to remain and appear neutral.”
Durocher walked more than 600 kilometers in July to raise awareness to high suicide rates in Northern Saskatchewan.
He established a single teepee on the west lawn of the grounds, shortly after completing his journey.
The provincial government took Durocher to court seeking his removal for trespassing.
However, Justice Mitchell ruled that Durocher could finish his 44-day hunger strike, saying the bylaws violated Durocher’s Constitutional Rights.
“While the Review Panel indicated that judicial reconciliation with Indigenous people is and will remain an important goal of the judiciary, it can only be pursued and achieved while respecting judicial independence and impartiality,” stated the Review Committee.