OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Oct 17, 2016) - Department of Justice

The Supreme Court of Canada is recognized nationally and internationally for its excellence and competence. To continue and improve upon this tradition, our Government has introduced an open and transparent process to appoint a justice of the highest caliber, functionally bilingual and representative of the diversity of our great country.

Following the Prime Minister's announcement earlier today of Justice Rowe's nomination to our highest court, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, confirmed the next steps in the selection process.

On Monday, October 24, the Minister of Justice and the Chair of the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments, the Right Honourable Kim Campbell, will appear before the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights to discuss the Government's choice of nominee and the process followed in selecting him.

The following day, Tuesday, October 25, the nominee will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session at the University of Ottawa with members of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, members of the Standing Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs, and representatives from the Bloc Québécois and the Green Party.

These hearings, and the selection process that preceded them, reflect our Government's commitment to engaging all parties in the House of Commons and the Senate. The Government has ensured that the process for appointing justices to the Supreme Court of Canada is transparent, inclusive, and accountable to Canadians.

Quick Facts

• The Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments (the Advisory Board) was established in August 2016. It is an independent and non-partisan body whose mandate is to provide non-binding, merit-based recommendations to the Prime Minister on Supreme Court of Canada appointments.
• The Advisory Board is supported by the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs.
• Upon receiving the shortlist, the Honourable Jody Wilson-Raybould, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, undertook a careful, rigorous and thorough process of review and consultation.
• On October 24, the Minister and the Chair of the Advisory Board will appear before the House Justice Committee to discuss the nomination. Details of the hearings will be available from the Standing Committee's homepage.
• On October 25, the nominee to the Supreme Court of Canada will participate in a moderated question-and-answer session at the University of Ottawa before Parliamentarians.
• The nominee, once appointed, will replace the Honourable Justice Thomas Cromwell, who retired on September 1.

Associated Links

House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights

Prime Minister's News Release on Nomination of Justice Malcolm Rowe as Supreme Court Justice (October 17, 2016)

Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments

Prime Minister's News Release on Judicial Appointments Process (August 2, 2016)