Harper begins plan to Americanized Canada

[Tingkai]

Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein of the Federal Court of Appeal has been nominated to fill the vacant seat on Canada's highest court, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday.

The Winnipeg-born jurist will also make Canadian history as the first appointee to face a public, all-party review before being formally named to the Supreme Court of Canada.

The final verdict on the appointment rests with Mr. Harper, who is expected to make his decision within days of Monday's hearing.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060223.wcourt0223/BNStory/National/home

A sad day for the Canadian judiciary. Having parliamentary hearings on his appointment will only lead to intense politicizing of the selection process.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Well, at least Americanization will work somewhere

[Asher]

Yes, it is indeed tragic that elected representatives get to examine someone appointed by the prime minister, usually one of his cronies.

[Az]

Does that include plans for complete unification?

[KrazyHorse]

Over my dead body. Literally.

[techumseh]

Well, there's till hope for you, then.

[KrazyHorse]

Gee, thanks. I've always craved your approval.

[Urban Ranger]

Originally posted by Asher
Yes, it is indeed tragic that elected representatives get to examine someone appointed by the prime minister, usually one of his cronies.

It's not going to make a whit of difference, as the prime minister is the head of the majority in a parliamentary system. Currently you don't have a minority or coalition government, so the only potential trouble is a lot of PC representatives breaking rank.

[DaShi]

I see our plans for democratizing Canada are finally taking hold.

[binTravkin]

A canadian view

[Imran Siddiqui]

What, was the prior system better? At least now Parliament gets to find out about the nominee. Maybe reveal some decision or strain of thought that the PM wasn't aware of before and may change his mind.

[Peter Triggs]

From binTravkin's 'a canadian view':

New Prime Minister Stephen Harper has tried to satisfy his base with some token reforms to the process, but overall it's pretty thin gruel. He will still appoint a judge unilaterally, but before said judge will take office he or she will attend a one time, three hour committee hearing, composed of appointed members of parliament. Like in the US, the hearing will be televised, but unlike in the US the committee will not have veto power. Indeed, they will not even be allowed to give an opinion on the Prime Minister's nominee at all.

One might ask "so what's the point," and one would have a very good point indeed.

Indeed, "indeed".

[Wycoff]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse
Over my dead body. Literally.

That can be arranged

[Kontiki]

Originally posted by Urban Ranger


It's not going to make a whit of difference, as the prime minister is the head of the majority in a parliamentary system. Currently you don't have a minority or coalition government, so the only potential trouble is a lot of PC representatives breaking rank.

Actually, we do have a minority government, but thanks for playing.

You're right, though, that it won't make much difference, but not for the reason you laid out. The power to appoint justices is still solely in the hands of the PM. I suppose Harper could withdraw the nomination if he took enough heat for it, but there is nothing that actually forces him to do so.

[Wezil]

It is window dressing. The questions will not be about issues on which the nominee could potentially rule. What we will get are questions which will be biographical in nature. Big whoop.

Keep in mind, Rothstein is from the last government's short list.