QUESTION PERIOD — Justice
Judicial Selection Process
June 19, 2019
Leader, the Trudeau government recently announced that it was launching the appointment process to replace outgoing Supreme Court of Canada Justice Clément Gascon. However, in recent weeks, media outlets reported on Justice Joyal from the Manitoba Court of Queen’s Bench as a candidate, seemingly with the sole purpose of discrediting former Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould. The Prime Minister refused to investigate these leaks.
Leader, how is the government ensuring that the selection process for the next Supreme Court justice remains confidential?
I want to assure the honourable senator that the Government of Canada is committed to such confidentiality, and that’s the process by which the nomination and selection process has been launched.
What assurances can you provide candidates that their names will not be used by the government for partisan purposes?
I think the honourable senator will recognize that the appointment process itself is one of integrity.
