Appointment of judges: Quebec National Assembly adopts unanimous motion
Posted April 23, 2025 12:55 pm.
Members of the National Assembly unanimously adopted a motion on Wednesday calling for greater powers from Ottawa to appoint judges to the Superior Court of Quebec and the Quebec Court of Appeal.
Currently, Quebec appoints judges to the Court of Quebec, municipal courts, and magistrates of the peace.
In his motion presented in the Red Room, Minister of Justice and Canadian Relations Simon Jolin-Barrette announced his intention to initiate negotiations with Ottawa.
He wants to amend the Constitution Act to clearly state that “the judges of the superior courts of Quebec are chosen from among members of the Barreau du Québec who have been recommended by the Government of Quebec.”
Jolin-Barrette described the current process as “flawed,” blaming the federal government for unreasonable delays in the appointment of superior court judges in Quebec.
According to him, it is also “normal” for Quebec to participate in the selection of judges “who will be called upon to review the constitutionality of Quebec laws.”
On April 8, a spokesperson for the Liberal Party of Canada (LPC) campaign announced that if elected on April 28, Mark Carney would not agree to Quebec’s request.
“Mark Carney believes that judicial appointments must remain independent. Independence is a cornerstone of the Canadian Constitution,” Guillaume Bertrand stated in an email to The Canadian Press.
“Quebec already has a designated representative on the committees that evaluate candidates for the Superior Court of Quebec, the Quebec Court of Appeal, and the federal courts.
“All other members are also from Quebec, including one appointed by the Barreau du Québec,” he added.
–This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews
