POLICE DESERVE A SAY ON JUDGES: JUSTICE MINISTER

Justice Minister Rob Nicholson refused to back down yesterday amid
pressure to reverse his government's contentious move to give police
an official say in screening candidates for federal judgeships.

Explaining the Tories' actions for the first time, Mr. Nicholson
faced a barrage of criticism from several MPs on the Commons justice
committee, who charged the government is stacking the judicial
selection process with like-minded police officers.

"Do you not see the serious risk you are perpetrating here of
politicizing both the judiciary and the police force?" New Democrat
Joe Comartin asked.

Liberal MP Derek Lee said police, who are sometimes in court seeking
additional powers, should not be involved in the selection process.

"That, to me, is an appearance of partiality," Mr. Lee said.

Mr. Nicholson responded by saying only that police officers will
bring a "positive change" to judicial advisory committees, which are
set up in each province to screen applicants to the 1,100-member
federally appointed judiciary.

"I can tell you they are as absolutely committed as any of us to
making sure our judicial system works," said Mr. Nicholson, steering
away from questions about politicizing the judiciary. He also said it
has been the justice minister's prerogative to have the final say in
appointing judges.

Late last year, Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin issued
a sharp rebuke to then-justice minister Vic Toews, publicly
denouncing him for making sudden changes to the judicial appointment
system without consulting judges.

Several critics followed suit, including the Canadian Bar Association
and the Criminal Lawyers Association, which said it is wrong and even
a conflict of interest to give a formal voice to a special interest
group whose members share the Tories' tough-on-crime agenda.