For immediate release April 07, 2005

MOORE QUESTIONS MINISTER COTLER'S ACTIONS


Ottawa - Today Rob Moore, MP for Fundy Royal, questioned the federal Justice Minister at the House of Commons Justice and Human Rights committee "Why he ignored the committee's recommendations on how judges are selected to the Supreme Court of Canada?"

Moore expressed his disappointment that Minster Cotler's decision did not respect the recommendations of the Justice committee on reforming the way judges are chosen in Canada. "This Minister of the Crown continues to have unfettered control over who is appointed to the highest court in the land and this is completely unacceptable in a modern democracy," stated Moore.

The Conservative Party has demanded for greater transparency and public input into the appointment of Supreme Court judges. Currently, the Liberals response to this is superficial and allows the Prime Minister to retain control over the process.

In 2004, Paul Martin promised that, as prime minister, he would reform "the unfettered powers of appointment" held by previous prime ministers. "During his campaign for the leadership of the Liberal Party, and in his election campaign a year ago, he passionately promoted democratic reform, yet now that he is in the Prime Minister he clings to the very powers that he vowed to reform," concluded Moore.



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