Topic
The federal government appoints the justices of the Supreme Court of Canada. Traditionally, this power of appointment is one commonly cited indicator of prime ministerial power, since under responsible government, the PM �advises� the Governor General on appointments to the Court. This is one of the differences between the Canadian and American systems of government: in the US, the President shares the power to appoint the members of the US Supreme Court with the Senate. In recent years, a debate has emerged about reforming the

process for selecting our Supreme Court justices. The Mulroney government�s failed Meech Lake and Charlottetown Accords contemplated a role for provincial input. Both the Martin and Harper governments have experimented with a more open process, including a role for MPs. Why is there a debate for making the appointments process more inclusive and transparent? What is wrong (if anything) with the traditional process? Should Parliament or the provinces be formally involved in the selection of justices? If so, how?

Be sure to address the arguments for and against reform.