In Canada, the Supreme Court is composed of nine (9) judges who are appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the Prime Minister. The Court hears cases of national importance and has the final say on constitutional and legal matters in the country.
For an appeal in the Supreme Court of each respective province, the number of judges can vary, but it is typically three (3) or more. The exact number depends on the rules of each province and the nature of the case.
As for the Emergencies Act Inquiry, it was an investigation into the use of the Emergencies Act by the federal government during the Freedom Trucker Convoy inquiry. The inquiry was led by one commissioner, who was appointed by the federal government (Trudeau approved). The commissioner had the power to summon witnesses, gather evidence, and make recommendations based on their findings. How could he be bias? It’s only the government investing themselves for government overreach, which they found themselves ‘Justified’ in doing so.
The concern raised by some individuals is that an inquiry of this magnitude and scope should have had at least three commissioners to ensure a balanced and thorough investigation. The argument is that with only one commissioner, there is a risk of bias or the perception of bias, particularly if the commissioner has a particular point of view or bias towards a particular side of the issue.
In general, having a small number of decision-makers can create the potential for bias, particularly if those individuals share similar backgrounds, perspectives, or beliefs.
