The Supreme Court Appointment Process: Chronology, Context and Reform (Canada‪)‬

INTRODUCTION If asked about my priorities when first appointed Minister of Justice in 2003, I would not have included judicial appointments amongst them; however, I learned to appreciate that this is a critical part of the administration of justice in Canada, if not in any country. This is a legacy issue, and it will live on long after those who have the temporary stewardship of this position are no longer there. If the act of appointing judges is a priority, the process of appointing them is no less so. Indeed, the integrity and fairness of the process is not unrelated to the excellence and independence of the judiciary.