Ontario Attorney-General defends Ford’s comments on judicial independence

Ontario Attorney-General Doug Downey repeatedly defended Doug Ford’s remarks declaring judicial independence “a joke,” but clarified that the province is not considering the U.S.-style popular election of judges as the Premier mused.Speaking to reporters on Thursday at a news conference to announce a new crime bill that includes changes to the way Ontario appoints judges, Mr. Downey said the Premier’s comments on Wednesday were born out of frustration with the justice system.