INTERNATIONAL COMMISSION OF JURISTS
(CANADIAN SECTION)

Annual General Meeting
Winnipeg, Manitoba
August 16, 2004

DRAFT MINUTES

NOTE: The Honourable Rosalie Abella was the 2004 recipient of the Walter F. Tarnopolsky Award. The Selection Commitee was composed of Chief Justice Richard Scott (IC) , David Matas (CBA), Professor Lorna Turnbull (CALT), and the Honourable Ronald Barclay (CSCJA). Justice Abella was presented with the Tarnopolsky Medal by Justice Binnie on the morning of August 16 at the conclusion of a Panel sponsored by the Canadian Judges Forum and ICJ Canada. Justice Abella was also honoured at the annual Tarnopolsky luncheon, hosted by President Ratushny. The Honourable Lloyd Axworthy was a special guest at this lunch together with the members of the jury, Chief Justice Glube and ICJ Officers and Regional Vice-Presidents.

1. Approval of Minutes of 2003 Meeting: The minutes of the 2003 Annual Meeting were unanimously approved.
   
2. President’s Report: The President then presented his Annual Report. At the conclusion of the President’s Report, Justice Binnie seconded by Brian Crane, moved a vote of thanks to President Ratushny for his inspired leadership over the past year.
   
3. Report on International Projects: Vice-President Brian A. Crane and Caroline Meilleur, Project Director, then presented a report on ICJ Canada’s International Project to Support the Independence of the Judiciary in South-east Adriatic Countries (Croatia and Serbia/Montenegro). Manon Montpetit, Deputy Project Director, was also present. A report prepared by the Project was tabled at the meeting. It was noted that the project would be completed at the end of 2004 but there was a possibility of a further project in the Adriatic for which application had been made to CIDA. Mr. Crane noted that a CIDA internal audit had been presented which had disallowed certain expenses. As noted, in the financial statements, this audit was being discussed with CIDA at the present time and the International Projects Committee was confident that most of the concerns raised could be satisfactorily addressed.
   
   Both the President and Mr. Crane drew the attention of the meeting to the magnificent contribution to the Project by Judge Michèle Rivet who had recently been honoured by her appointment as Commissioner of ICJ - Geneva (together with our other Commissioner the Hon. Ian Binnie). The work of the many Canadian judges who had volunteered their time to the Project was also recognized.
   
4. Financial and Membership Matters: Brian Crane presented a report on the state of ICJ membership and financial matters and tabled the audited financial statement for 2003. Mr. Crane noted that a number of memberships remained unpaid and asked all members present to encourage their colleagues and friends to join the ICJ. The year 2003 had been a year of great activity, and in addition we had moved our headquarters to the new CBA offices on Carling Avenue, Ottawa. There had also been turnover in our support staff. As a result of all these factors, the audited statements show a deficit on operating account of about $12,000. This was not something that the ICJ could afford and efforts were being made to bring expenses in to line and to raise revenues. Last year there was a significant amount of donation income ($7515) but this income could not be predicted and this was a factor of uncertainty for the future. The cost of the latest issue of the ICJ Newsletter, which was largely devoted to the International Projects, was being heavily subsidized by the project budget.
   
5. Appointment of Auditors: It was moved by Mr. Crane and seconded by Justice Ginette Piché and unanimously approved that Price Waterhouse Coopers be re-appointed as auditors of ICJ Canada for 2004.
   
6. Contribution of Brian Crane as Vice-President: President Ratushny took this opportunity to inform the Annual Meeting of the tireless and dedicated contribution of Brian Crane in his capacity of National Vice-President to follow up on financial, audit, and governance issues. He also drew attention, historically, to the sustenance of ICJ Canada by a small group of supporters, including Brian Crane, during periods when the organization might otherwise have ceased to exist. Those present expressed their resounding appreciation.
   
7. Report of Nominating Committee: President Ratushny moved the adoption of the Nominating Committee report for 2004. He noted that Irwin Cotler had resigned from Council on the advice of the Ethics Commissioner. The report of the Nominating Committee was adopted unanimously. The meeting then adjourned for a meeting of Council to conduct its business.
   
8. Address by the Honourable Rosalie Abella: The recipient of the 2004 Walter S. Tarnopolsky Award, the Honourable. Rosalie Abella of the Ontario Court of Appeal, who had formally been presented with the Tarnopolsky Medal by Justice Binnie during the ICJ/Canadian Judges Forum, was then introduced by the Honourable Constance Glube and addressed the meeting. Justice Abella received a standing ovation from all those present. President Ratushny thanked Justice Abella and the meeting then adjourned.