Category: Uncategorized

The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Ontario congratulates The Honourable Justice Sandra Nishikawa on her elevation to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. Her appointment marks a historic milestone as the first racialized woman and the first East Asian judge appointed to the Court.

Justice Nishikawa brings exceptional legal ability, professional excellence, and broad litigation experience to her new role. A respected judge of the Superior Court of Justice since 2018, she previously practised in New York and held senior litigation roles in Toronto, working across commercial, administrative, public, and human rights law and appearing before all levels of court, including the Supreme Court of Canada.

A former executive member of FACL Ontario’s Board of Directors, Justice Nishikawa served as Vice-President External. In 2016, we were proud to honour her with our Lawyer of Distinction Award at FACL’s 10th Annual Conference and Gala, recognizing her significant accomplishments in the law and contributions to the legal profession, social justice, and the Asian Canadian community.

Diversity on the bench strengthens our justice system by bringing a broader range of experiences and perspectives to judicial decision-making and fostering public confidence in our courts. Justice Nishikawa’s elevation is a meaningful step toward a judiciary that reflects the communities it serves and an inspiration to Asian Canadian lawyers and aspiring lawyers.

Please join us in celebrating Justice Nishikawa and wishing her every success in this new role!

TORONTO – The Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers Ontario (FACL) is saddened by the passing of Ramon V. Andal, a distinguished lawyer, community leader, and early architect of FACL.

Born in Manila, Philippines, Mr. Andal was called to the Philippine Bar in 1982 and to the Ontario Bar in 1989, becoming the first member of the Philippine Bar to practise law in Toronto. Throughout his career, he was widely respected for his contributions to the legal profession, public service, and Asian Canadian communities.

Mr. Andal played an instrumental role in the discussions that led to the creation of FACL and remained committed to advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity within the legal profession.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched. We honour his legacy and lasting contributions to the legal profession and our community.

For Immediate Release:

Date: March 31, 2026

FACL is deeply concerned by recent public commentary that undermines confidence in the independence of the judiciary.

An independent judiciary is a cornerstone of Canada’s constitutional democracy. Judges must decide cases impartially, based on the law and the evidence before them, and free from external pressure or influence. While public debate about judicial decisions or the administration of justice is legitimate and necessary in a democratic society, recent comments by some political leaders and media commentaries undermine judicial independence by going beyond legitimate criticism of a court decision. Personal attacks on individual judges threaten public confidence in our justice system and put the Rule of Law at risk. 

The independence of the judiciary is also threatened by political pressure of calling on a judge to apologize for legal rulings made based on the evidence before them. Judges cannot respond to public criticism; they can only issue reasons for their decisions. When personal attacks target a judge’s racial, ethnic, or religious identity explicitly or implicitly, it sends a message to Canadians that some members of our judiciary are not impartial and will never be seen as fully legitimate, no matter their qualifications or the quality of their reasoning. 

For justice to be done, judges must consider contextual legal analysis, taking into account the specific circumstances of each person and not treating everyone as if they are indistinguishable. Canadian courts have long recognized that systemic and contextual factors are relevant in criminal matters, for example, in R v. Gladue and R. v. Ipeelee.

If there is a concern with a court’s decision, the appropriate response is to appeal. If there is an issue about the conduct of a judge, there is an established complaint process. Likewise, dissatisfaction with a law may be addressed through appropriate legal reform by elected officials. It is precisely at moments when a matter is controversial and public emotions are heightened that each branch of government exercises restraint from comments that call into question the other’s proper constitutional authority. 

As an organization representing Asian Canadian legal professionals, FACL affirms its  commitment to a justice system that is fair and impartial for all. A judiciary that reflects  the diversity of Canadian society strengthens, rather than diminishes, the administration  of justice. FACL calls on all public actors to engage in respectful discourse and to uphold the principles that safeguard the independence and integrity of our justice system. We stand in solidarity with other affinity bar associations that have expressed similar concerns.