Who appoints the Supreme Court of Canada’s justices?
Nine judges make up the Supreme Court of Canada, including a Chief Justice who will go by the title Chief Justice of Canada. All judges are chosen by the Governor in Council and are required to have served as either superior court judges or members of the bar for at least ten years. Before taking…
Nine judges make up the Supreme Court of Canada, including a Chief Justice who will go by the title Chief Justice of Canada.
All judges are chosen by the Governor in Council and are required to have served as either superior court judges or members of the bar for at least ten years.
Before taking the oath of office as Chief Justice, the Chief Justice is sworn in as a representative of Canada’s Privy Council.
The judges must focus solely on carrying out their judicial responsibilities. No judge is allowed to work in any other paid positions or own their own businesses.
Who appoints the Supreme Court of Canada’s justices?
The Supreme Court of Canada’s (“SCC”) governing law, the Supreme Court Act, specifies that nominations are made by the Governor-in-Council, or federal cabinet, on the Prime Minister’s proposal
. This has been understood to indicate that the Prime Minister is the one who makes appointments.
The Prime Minister seems unrestricted in how he or she recommends justices for nomination.
