Minister, I would like to welcome you as well and thank you for coming to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. I would particularly like to thank you, Ms. Campbell, for your service in this important role.
Minister, in your opening remarks you referenced two purposes. The first was about the candidate, and the second, of course, was about the process. I'd like to talk about the process that led to the selection of Justice Rowe as the nominee for the Supreme Court of Canada.
You said that the process would allow us “as parliamentarians, to hold the government to account”. I understand that under the administrations of both former prime minister Harper and former prime minister Martin, opposition members were involved in an advisory committee that created a short list of possible candidates.
Minister, you are well aware of the difference between consultation and mere notification. Do you believe MPs should have a role in the creation of the list as well as in the selection of the person to serve as a justice of the Supreme Court, particularly given the increasingly important role the Supreme Court plays in the lives of Canadians? Do you think that members of Parliament, as the elected representatives of Canadians, should be involved in the substance of the appointment decision now and for future appointments?