21 April 2017

Investigation into conduct of judge who ordered woman to remove hijab suspended

More than two years after dozens of complaints were filed against a Quebec court judge who refused to hear the case of a woman unless she removed her hijab in the courtroom, an investigation into the judge's conduct has been suspended.

Judge Eliana Marengo is challenging the legitimacy of the Council of the Magistrature — the body charged with supervising the conduct of judges in Quebec.

Marengo is arguing the council doesn't have jurisdiction to investigate her conduct in this case.

Until that's settled, the Council of the Magistrature says its investigation of Marengo's conduct must be put on hold.

Compared Muslim headscarf to hat, sunglasses

The story of how Judge Marengo handled the case of Rania El-Alloul made international headlines.

Judge Eliana Marengo

Judge Eliana Marengo is now challenging the legitimacy of Quebec's Council of the Magistrature to investigate her conduct.

El-Alloul was in court in February 2015 for a fairly routine hearing to get her car back after it had been seized by Quebec's automobile insurance board, the SAAQ. [CBC News] Read more