Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Houston says his party has obtained correspondence that shows Justice Minister reappointed Chief Judge Pamela Williams against a recruitment committee’s recommendation
Nova Scotia’s Justice Minister is drawing fire from Progressive Conservatives who claim he stepped on judicial independence by overriding a recruitment committee struck last year on the appointment of the chief judge of the provincial and family courts.
Tory Leader Tim Houston says correspondence obtained by his party shows Mark Furey reappointed Chief Judge Pamela Williams despite a recommendation from the committee that Judge Alanna Murphy be appointed to the position. The Tories also tabled a resignation letter in the legislature by committee chair and now retired chief justice Michael MacDonald, who said the recruitment process had “undermined” his role in representing the common interests of judges in the province.Houston says the terms of reference state that cabinet will act on the advice of the recruitment committee.
But Furey says it was within his purview to request more information from the committee and to make his recommendation to cabinet based on all considerations, including that Williams had been serving in the role, which has a five-year term. Furey says he had the option to simply reappoint Williams, but he wanted to adhere to a process that has been in use for the past 20 years.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Children killed in Halifax house fire honoured at opening of Nova Scotia Legislature’s spring sessionMembers observe a moment of silence to remember the children of Kawthar and Ebraheim Barho, Syrian refugees who arrived in Halifax 18 months ago
Read more »
Laycock on victory over Nova Scotia: They were a team we had to beatSteve Laycock discusses how he dealt with the transition from Team Saskatchewan to Team British Columbia, and what he believes he brings to his new team.
Read more »
Nova Scotia offers free legal representation to sex assault complainantsThe new program aims to protect complainants from the trauma of having past relationships used as evidence in criminal court cases
Read more »
This cold snap could be winter’s last hurrah, Environment Canada saysThis cold snap could be winter's last hurrah, with Alberta seeing temperatures below -40 C and Nova Scotia getting 55 cm of snow
Read more »
Schools closed across the Maritimes as winter storm blasts regionEnvironment Canada says the low-pressure system will bring heavy snow to New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia
Read more »
Thompson: 'We expect to be in the championship round'Team Nova Scotia skip Stuart Thompson feels good about starting off the week with a 3-1 record and discusses his team's expectations heading into the Brier.
Read more »
Creditor protection extended for cryptocurrency exchange QuadrigaNova Scotia Supreme Court Justice Michael Wood today granted the insolvent company a 45-day extension for a stay of proceedings.
Read more »
Case against N.S. man convicted of murder droppedThe conviction of a Nova Scotia man who served 17 years in prison for murder has been quashed and he has been acquitted of the charge.
Read more »
N.S. woman meets half-sister thanks to DNA testA Nova Scotia woman has finally met a half-sister that lives on the other side of the Atlantic, thanks to a DNA test.
Read more »
LIVE: Scotiabank CEO Brian Porter speaksLIVE NOW: Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer responds to PM Trudeau's statement on SNC-Lavalin: cdnpoli
Read more »