Appointment process must sustain confidence in Supreme Court of Canada, Judicial Council says

OTTAWA, March 29, 2004 - In a statement issued today, the Canadian Judicial Council endorsed the views expressed last summer by the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, Council chairperson and Chief Justice of Canada, welcoming public discussion of the Supreme Court appointment process.

"The most important value in the appointment of judges is to sustain public confidence in the independence, ability and wisdom of the men and women named to the Court," the Council said in a statement following its Mid-year Meeting in Ottawa on March 26, 2004.

"The Canadian Judicial Council encourages the government to proceed with care and deliberation in creating any new process. We must ensure that judges of the Supreme Court of Canada continue to be drawn from the best legal minds of our country."

The Canadian Judicial Council is composed of the chief justices and associate chief justices of Canada's superior courts.

Contact:

Norman Sabourin
Executive Director and General Counsel
(613) 998-5182