Judicial council rules no discipline for Calgary judge after comments to class

CALGARY – The Canadian Judicial Council says no action will be taken against a Calgary judge who made what she called inappropriate comments to university students.

The council says it reviewed four complaints from four students after Court of Queen’s Bench Justice Kristine Eidsvik spoke to a law class at the University of Calgary in January.

CBC News reported at the time that Eidsvik told the class she was uncomfortable walking into a room “full of big dark people.”

She reportedly said that she was used to being in an “ivory tower,” away from “the riff-raff.”

The council says Eidsvik promptly met with the class and a representative of the Black Law Students Association of Canada to express her regrets.

A statement from the council says Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson concluded it was an isolated incident.

“The judge’s actions, taken in context, make clear she does not harbour racist views,” said the statement.

“The judge’s comments were nonetheless injudicious and Chief Justice Hinkson expressed his concerns to the judge about the effect of her comments on the public’s perception of the judiciary.”

Eidsvik made the remarks in her role as the university’s judge-in-residence. She has since resigned.

She specialized as a litigation lawyer before she was appointed to the bench 10 years ago.