As you know, a recent appointment in Nova Scotia has shown that it was possible to find very qualified bilingual judges, in this case Justice Cromwell. We will try to make a recommendation when the case relating to the selection of judges is heard, imposing a requirement for judges to understand both official languages used during the hearing of a case. It will encourage judges to become bilingual, those who may not otherwise be able to take part in a legal debate at the Supreme Court of Canada.
I believe the judges appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada have intellectual curiosity. These are people who are disciplined, and have irreproachable work ethics. So, the fact of being excluded from debates for a time because of a language problem will arouse the interest of candidates in this language so that they may take part in debates. Instead of immediately proceeding to select bilingual judges or to postpone the selection as Mr. Godin suggested, this recommendation to impose an understanding of both official languages during proceedings would in the meantime urge judges to become bilingual.