Mr. Speaker, after proposing to shut out Atlantic Canada from the Supreme Court for the first time ever, it is good to see that the Liberals have reversed their position, listened to Conservatives, and appointed an Atlantic Canadian. While today's Supreme Court appointment fills an important court vacancy, there remain dozens of vacancies across Canada.
As a result of the Minister of Justice's inaction, serious criminal cases are being thrown out of court, including, most recently, a first-degree murder case in Alberta. For months the minister has been talking about filling traditional vacancies, all the while leaving 60 seats vacant.
Before the next serious criminal case is thrown out of court, it is time for the minister to fill these vacancies and to do so immediately.