Thank you very much for being with us today. It's good to see you again, Right Honourable Kim Campbell.
I believe the last time we saw each other in person I was moderating a panel in front of several hundred women lawyers in Vancouver, and the panel consisted of you and Justice Abella, so it was a great venue and a good time to celebrate being a woman in law.
With that, I would also thank you for outlining an appreciation with some insights into the challenges of life as a Supreme Court of Canada judge and the sacrifices, especially for those who would have to leave B.C. I have to say that as well, as a B.C. member.
Minister Lametti, as a parliamentarian, I have participated in past Supreme Court recommendation processes and been part of interviews with the then Supreme Court of Canada chief justice and other senior jurists to vet applicants. The composition of the new independent advisory board effectively takes elected parliamentarians out of the equation until the stage we find ourselves in today. It replaces parliamentarians with seven non-partisan members, three of whom are chosen by the Minister of Justice at the time. That is you right now.
Could you please explain to us why you believe this is the best way to pick a Supreme Court justice?