Portage-Lisgar M.P. Candice Hoeppner played a large role in this week's announcement of the government's nominees for the Supreme Court of Canada. She chaired the committee which was tasked by the Justice Minister to narrow down a list to six individuals that would be fit to serve on the country's highest court.

There were six people on the committee in total, including three Conservatives, one Liberal, and one NDP member. Hoeppner says the committee worked together in a non-partisan way, and there was total agreement on the six individuals they selected as potential appointees.

Earlier this week Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Justice Andromache Karakatsanis and Justice Michael Moldaver as the government’s nominees. The two selected nominees are appearing at a public hearing of an ad hoc parliamentary committee Wednesday to answer questions from Members of Parliament. Karakatsanis and Moldaver are both Judges from Ontario. Hoeppner is pleased with both individuals that have been selected.

"It was great to see and to be able to enquire about some of the very qualified people we have in Canada who are qualified to serve on the Supreme Court of Canada," says Hoeppner. "Both of who have stellar reputations as very capable judges, intelligent, they work well with their colleagues, they present fair and balanced judgements, and I think are very courageous in some of the statements that they make and the stance that they take," says Hoeppner. "Canadians can feel very confident that these two individuals are recommended based on their merit."

 


This process was first established for the appointment of the Honourable Mr. Justice Marshall E. Rothstein in 2006, and its one Hoeppner feels is transparent and ensures patronage isn't happening.