Open hearings to appoint judges in Canada

[dumpthemonarchy]

If Canada has a Charter where judges can make laws, then we need an open hearing system for judges to see who gets appointed and why. Really, aren't we past the archaic idea that lawyers, judges, politicians, backroom manipulaters are politically "neutral" or "above the fray." Oh yes, the Crown, the Crown, that legal entity in Canada that is apolitical, give me a break. Let's make appointing judges an open, transparent process with much more input from the public.

 

[no1important]

RE: Open hearings to appo

I prefer judges to be appointed for the reason they do not play politics and imprison a higher percentage of people just to get re elected.

The Supreme Court of Canada has 9 excellent people sitting on it, they have fair and reasonable judgements, the same goes for many lower court judges.

Sorry I can not agree with you on this one. But I do think all the mp's/mla's should vote on it instead of them being appointed by PM or premeirs.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Open hearings to appo

I don't think judges should be chosen through a general election, but I would like to see them face either multi-party board or be voted on by the House of Commons.

 

[LeftCoast]

RE: Open hearings to appo

I'm again uncertain on this. As soon as you open the process up to Parliament it becomes political. Look at what happens in the US where the Senate has to confirm judicial appointments. It's a freaking three ring circus.

So far there has been very little criticism of the Supreme Court in terms of being ideologically biased in Canada.

 

[Reverend Blair]

RE: Open hearings to appo

The Conservatives have been cranking up the rhetoric on that though, Left Coast. I think a secret ballot in Parliament would work. No interviews, no campaigning, just a list of candidates and ballots put in a box.

That would keep it non-partisan and then we wouldn't hear about "activist judges making law."