Chief justice says he does not know who donated lifelike bust displayed in Supreme Court

Summary

Chief Justice Richard Wagner of the Supreme Court of Canada faced scrutiny during his annual press conference regarding the anonymous donation of a bronze bust of himself displayed in the court’s entrance hall. He expressed uncertainty about the donor’s identity, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest, and noted that the tradition of anonymous donations differs from past practices where donors were disclosed. Despite his efforts to promote transparency since his appointment, Wagner’s handling of the bust’s provenance has sparked criticism from legal observers and raised questions about the court’s acceptance of such gifts.

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