Parliament’’s Review of Judicial Appointments (Part 2 Q&A)

Mr. Justice Marshall Rothstein made history this week by becoming the first nominee to the Supreme Court of Canada to appear before an all-party parliamentary committee to answer questions at a public hearing. Supporters of this change in process tout it as a move towards openness and accountability. But critics warn that it runs the risk of politicizing the nation’s highest court. Who should have the final say on the constitutionality of legislation, Parliament or the courts? How relevant is the American experience of appointing Supreme Court judges? Speaker: Cameron D. MacLennan, B.Sc, LLB, LLM Mr. MacLennan is a partner in the firm Huckvale, Wilde, Harvie, MacLennan, LLP, Lawyers and Mediators, Lethbridge. He has been an active member of the Law Society of Alberta since 1985, and the Virginia State Bar in the United States since 1992.