MacKay says he wants consensus with Quebec on Supreme Court judge

OTTAWA – Justice Minister Peter MacKay says he’s hoping there’s a judge that Ottawa and Quebec can agree on for the next appointment to the Supreme Court.

Both the province and the federal government have shortlists for the vacancy, and MacKay says he wants to see if there’s a name in common.

He says the federal government’s shortlist has become even shorter since the Supreme Court ruled that judges must be members of the Quebec bar, excluding those that hold Federal Court positions.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s controversial pick for the Supreme Court, Marc Nadon, was deemed ineligible for the position.

MacKay says that seat, along with one to be vacated this fall by Justice Louis Lebel, will need to be filled quickly.

He would not provide details on how the selection process will unfold.