Government respects Nadon decision, but still reviewing it, Harper says

THE HAGUE, Netherlands – Stephen Harper says he was “very surprised” last week when the Supreme Court rejected his latest Quebec appointee to the high court bench.

But while the prime minister says he respects the court’s decision about Marc Nadon, he’s hedging on what the government will do next, saying the decision is still being reviewed.

The Supreme Court concluded that Nadon, a semi-retired Federal Court of Appeal judge, does not meet the specific eligibility requirements for a Quebec seat on the bench as spelled out in the Supreme Court Act.

The high court also says the government needs a constitutional amendment to change the criteria for judges on the top court.

Neither Harper nor Justice Minister Peter MacKay have ruled out the possibility that they will continue to push for Nadon to be allowed to fill the vacant Quebec seat.

Opposition MPs, meanwhile, say they don’t expect the Conservative government to give up on Nadon without a fight.