Independence of our judicial appointments at risk

​One of the many collateral repercussions that have occurred with the ongoing SNC-Lavalin controversy within the Prime Minister’s office has been the leaking of confidential information related to the judicial appointment process for the Supreme Court of Canada.

For what appears as purely partisan political purposes, personal information was revealed about a judge from Manitoba who had been considered for a potential Supreme Court appointment.

The intent of the leak was to suggest there was prior conflict between the Prime Minister and the now former Justice Minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould. 

As a result of this serious leak both Ms. Wilson-Raybould and the opposition parties asked for an investigation to identify the source of the leak.

Although Mr. Trudeau has condemned the leak and denied his office was responsible, the Liberals have also blocked a motion to allow for this investigation to occur.

Fortunately, our federal Privacy Commissioner Daniel Therrien confirmed that his office will be investigating this leak of confidential information related to a candidate for the Supreme Court of Canada.

Despite calls from the opposition to suspend any further nominations to the Supreme Court pending the outcome of this investigation, Mr. Trudeau has refused and publicly stated "We have the merit-based independent process to choose judges.”

I mention all of this as the Globe & Mail just reported breaking news that “The Prime Minister’s Office is using a private party database called Liberalist in its background checks on candidates for judicial appointments, a tool that allows them to see whether would-be judges have supported the Liberal Party in recent years…”

My question this week:

Do you believe it is appropriate for the Prime Minister’s office to use a Liberal party database to vet potential judges?

I can be reached at Dan.Albas@parl.gc.ca or call toll free 1-800-665-8711.