Canada’s most populous provinces are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to overhaul the selection process for federally-appointed judges and give them exclusive authority to select prospective candidates for vacancies.
In a joint letter released Tuesday, the premiers of Ontario, Quebec, Alberta and Saskatchewan urged the federal government to rethink the judicial appointments process for superior trial courts and courts of appeal. The premiers argue that giving provinces greater authority would ensure judges better reflect regional realities and the diversity of their populations.
“We are calling for a new, collaborative approach, wherein our governments can meaningfully engage in filling judicial positions in our respective jurisdictions,” read the letter, signed by Doug Ford, François Legault, Danielle Smith and Scott Moe.