Evidence of meeting #63 for Official Languages in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was appointment.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
Okay. Thank you, but that's all I wanted to say. I only have two minutes.
12:55 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
I know, but put yourself in my shoes. Mr. Choquette took all my time.
12:55 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
The Court says—you have the paragraph in front of you—
1 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
Give me two seconds to answer you. “[A]ny substantive change ...”; we aren't talking about any amendment whatsoever.
1 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
It says “to the eligibility requirements for appointment”.
1 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
Yes, “those ... requirements”; it relates to sections 4, 5 and 6. Adding something to sections 4, 5 and 6, would be amending them.
1 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
It is very clear, and I appreciate how clearly you've explained your position. You claim that political commitment in this sense is more effective than taking the risk of a court challenge.
Do you think that even the current government's position could be challenged in court? What I mean is requiring an amendment to articles 4, 5 and 6, even in a non-legislative form, only at the request of the government or on an election platform?
1 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
It's possible. I don't think it's as solid, as arguments go.
1 p.m.
Professor, As an Individual
Because it's a political statement, which isn't necessarily subject to control by the courts. It's a matter of justiciability.
1 p.m.
Liberal
René Arseneault Liberal Madawaska—Restigouche, NB
However, in practice, it's the same thing for the challenger. I'm a unilingual anglophone or a unilingual francophone. I have the right C.V. and I want to be appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada, but with the commitment or the election platform of the government in place, I can't. So I take issue.
1 p.m.
Liberal
1 p.m.
Liberal
1 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal Denis Paradis
Mr. Jutras, thank you for the clarity of your brief. It was very timely. I think every member of the committee would agree with me.
Before the meeting ends, I would like to mention to the committee members that I have asked the clerk to add “Committee business” to next Thursday's agenda. We will continue our discussions on Mr. Choquette's motion.