Canada Asks Supreme Court Hopefuls To Apply

When faced with a vacancy, the Canadian government will now welcome qualified lawyers or judges to apply for a spot on the country’s highest court. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will have his first opportunity to appoint a new justice in September, when Justice Thomas Cromwell is set to retire. In preparation, Trudeau unveiled the new system to allow applications through the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs. Traditionally, the Prime Minister appoints new justices without the approval of parliament – unlike the U.S. system, wherein a presidential nominee requires Senate approval. But Trudeau is introducing an independent and non-partisan advisory board to review applicants and submit a shortlist of three to five individuals for his consideration.