"I became a judge because I felt like I could offer litigants something from my knowledge of how people, especially Indigenous people, come into conflict with the law, how people should be treated within the process, and how good solutions can be found. I knew being a Provincial Court judge was going to be a steep learning curve, and I was lucky to be supported by good counsel in my courtrooms, and local judges who mentored me and gave me their time and guidance. It was a very satisfying role. I would have been very happy to continue in that role until the day I retired, but I was aware that there were at that time a very limited number of Indigenous judges sitting in superior courts in BC and across the country. That lack of representation was a concern to me as an Indigenous person working within the justice system; that was a big factor in my decision to apply to serve on the Supreme Court. I felt like I could make a difference on the Supreme Court".

Q: What does access to justice mean to you?

"Access to justice means that all people who have a legal issue can access a system that is understandable, responsive, affordable, and tries to minimize barriers."

Q: What’s your favourite thing about being a judge?

"As a trial judge, my favourite thing was interacting with the people whose cases were before me. I hoped they felt heard and left the courtroom with a favourable view of the justice system, regardless of the outcome. As an appellate judge, I miss having face-to-face contact with the people whose lives are affected by my decisions, but I know the decisions I’m making now will have an impact on those people and on others. It is rewarding to find good solutions, do my best to articulate the law in a way that real people can understand, and to do it in a way that hopefully shows empathy for the circumstances people are in. It’s about making law accessible to people, and bringing my experiences as an Indigenous person to the role. Those are the things that I’m excited about."

These replies reveal so much about Honorable Marchand, specifically, his beliefs, thought process and morals. Things that make a huge impact on leaders decisions and ultimately their qualities and/if they are worthy enough to be a leader and the role he has taken on, he has proven himself to be quite promising and a complete understanding of how justice should be served.