OTTAWA – The Canadian Press is always on the lookout for noteworthy or zesty exchanges on the floor of the House of Commons. On Wednesday, Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau pressed Prime Minister Stephen Harper over the insinuation that Supreme Court Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin erred when she contacted the government about the appointment of Federal Court of Appeal justice Marc Nadon.

Trudeau: Mr. Speaker, the prime minister’s attack on the Supreme Court was beneath the office that he holds. Canadians across the country have noticed that the prime minister has still not withdrawn his remarks about the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada. Will he do so now?

Harper: Mr. Speaker, once again, as I have said before, it was alleged last week by another source that the government — myself particularly — were not properly informed of issues of eligibility on the Supreme Court appointment. As I said, that is clearly not the case.

In fact, because I was fully aware of this matter and also aware of the fact that it could be brought before the courts, and eventually was brought before the courts, we decided to seek advice from outside the courts from independent experts and we followed that advice. Those actions on my part, and on the part of the government, were entirely appropriate.

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