‘Gigantic hypocrite and fool’: How can anyone respect Supreme Court Chief Justice Richard Wagner?

Chief Justice Richard Wagner stood at a news conference yesterday and said Canadians deserve an independent judiciary free of political pressure and that every citizen deserves an impartial judge. He then refused to discuss why he will not recuse himself from the Emergencies Act case, involving people he described in 2022 as anarchists and hostage takers before any of them appeared before a court. Two Federal Courts have already found the Trudeau government acted illegally. The Carney government is now appealing to the Supreme Court where Wagner refuses to recuse. Topics covered: ► Wagner's news conference statement: generally speaking Canadians deserve an independent judiciary where every citizen entering a courtroom will find a judge who makes decisions without pressure from politics, politicians, parties, or lobbyists, and who is impartial and independent ► Wagner's 2022 comments confirmed from Le Devoir and CBC: the Freedom Convoy was "the beginning of anarchy," some protesters "decided to take other citizens hostage," their behaviour was "deplorable," and disinformation was partly responsible, all made publicly before any convoy participant appeared in court ► The charge discrepancy: convoy participants were charged with noise violations, mischief, and parking offences. None were charged with anarchy. None were charged with hostage taking. Wagner's characterisations did not correspond to any charge laid. ► The Emergencies Act case timeline: two federal courts found the Trudeau government acted illegally in invoking the Emergencies Act, the Federal Court of Appeal was unanimous in January 2026, and the Carney government is appealing to the Supreme Court. Wagner has refused to recuse himself. ► The Globe and Mail editorial board calling for Wagner's recusal this week, citing the 1969 British judicial principle that justice must be rooted in confidence and confidence is destroyed when right-minded people think the judge was biased, and describing the case for recusal as not a close call ► The Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms argument: Wagner has publicly proclaimed his bias against the Freedom Convoy and having already answered the central question of whether the government's actions were justified, no reasonable member of the public would believe he could be impartial ► Jim's argument about what this means for Canadian democracy: a judge who pronounces guilt-adjacent judgments before people appear in court, who refuses to step aside despite clear conflict, and who then gives speeches about judicial independence, is either unaware of his hypocrisy or indifferent to it, and either conclusion disqualifies him from the role If the Chief Justice of Canada called convoy protesters anarchists before they were charged and refuses to step aside from ruling on their case, does Canada have an independent judiciary? Let us know what you think in the comments. The Really Big Show: the thinking Canadian's daily briefing, independent and informed. 🔴 Live every weekday at 9AM PST 📍 Independent. Unapologetic. Canadian. 👉 Support the show: https://thereallybigshow.ca Subscribe | Share | Comment — help us grow independent Canadian media. #canadiannews #canadapolitics #canada #nowmedia #thereallybigshow #wagnerrecusal #freedomconvoy #emergenciesact #supremecourt #judicialindependence