POLS 303 Lecture : Judicial Appointments - Oct. 9, 2012.pdf
12 Oct 2012
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Document Summary
Scholars tell us that judicial appointment must be understood in three stages: Officially, judges on these courts are appointed by the governor general. Yet , for federal appointments, the minister of justice and the prime minister have wielded the most influential role in appointing s. 96 judges. Patronage has always been questioned when it comes to appointing judges. Concerns over patronage have led to several changes over time. Several screens are created (post-trudeau) to improve the quality of judicial appointment. Today, the minister of justice is largely responsible for bringing forward to cabinet names of persons to fill most of the judgeships at the disposal of the feds. The only exception to these rules is the section of the chief justice on each court - that is the prerogative of the prime minister. One way to potentially limit patronage is to change the process of appointment: Limit powers of few who make arbitrary decisions.
