Thank you, Madam Chair.
I appreciate this opportunity. It's a very unique opportunity, in fact.
Minister Lametti, it's always very appreciated when you appear before the committee, and today is a special occasion. Thank you.
To the Right Honourable Kim Campbell, this is a unique opportunity for me to ask questions of a former prime minister. Let me start by saying that it was music to my ears when you uttered the words, “There has been no compromise on quality.” This process, and the process we're going through this afternoon, is important.
You started by referencing your disagreement with Bob Rae about the “tap on the shoulder” approach. Really what we're talking about is a method of appointment. I've been a member of this profession for over 20 years. I think everybody will agree that every appointment we have made to the Supreme Court of Canada, regardless of the approach, has been of the highest caliber.
Back in your day, when you were minister of justice and and later prime minister, I believe there were three appointments made to the Supreme Court of Canada, using a former process. In 2006, we introduced a new process. The government of the day created the body that we're going to see in action this afternoon. In 2016, our current Prime Minister implemented the new process, which you are heading, and I thank you for that.
Unfortunately what we've seen is a political climate that has become more polarized. These processes sometimes open the door for that polarization to rear its head. We've seen that today, and we've seen it before.
Some people preface their questions by saying, “They're all excellent candidates, including the one we're here today to talk about”, and then they proceed to undermine the process. The purpose of this committee hearing and the meeting this afternoon is to show Canadians that we have a strong court and a strong process, and that we're always striving to make it better.
My question to you is—and we haven't really discussed the process that's going to take place this afternoon—what is your view on the evolution of the approach, from the tap on the shoulder approach, as you characterized it, to the process that we have now?
I would love to hear your views on how it has progressed and improved.