Things in the committee room are just getting set up. Should be off to the races soon.
A lot of cameras in the room taking pictures of the SCC nominees. They might look a little different than those head shots.
Justice Min Rob Nicholson is explaining that the public hearing is meant to bring greater transparency to the courts #scc
Justice Min Rob Nicholson is explaining that the public hearing is meant to bring greater transparency to the courts #scc
Peter Hogg, a court watcher, will be talking about limits of judicial speech. #scc
Nicholson says that this is not the House, so defamation rules applies. ironic considering the #scc ruling on libel today.
Nicholson is giving a background of the candidates. #scc
1997 to 2000 Justice Karakatsanis served as a deputy minister under the Tory government in Ontario. #scc
The bio for Peter Hogg who is chairing the committe was almost as long as that of the justices. #scc
Hogg says the public hearing hasn't been without controversy. There are many he says that fear a review will politicize judicicary
He also mentions that people fear that the public hearings will publicly embarass judges.
I have always been a believer in this process and have no doubt whatsoever we are going to have a very good hearing today, says Hogg
The committee's task is to determine whether the candidates are fit for the job.
Here comes a job description to help MPs decide whether these two justices are up for the job.
Hogg reminds MPs the judges make new law because they have to decide what the law is when making decisions and thus how to apply it. #scc
Judges read a lot, according to Hogg #scc
Here comes the rules for questions
The MPs are free to ask anything at all, but it is obvious that there are some questions they can't answer, says Hogg.
Questions they can't answer include those about issues or cases that may come before the courts #scc
The committee should look for professional and personal qualities that will allow the nominees to serve with distinction says Hogg. #scc
Problem solving, energy for study, an open mind, independence, patient and courteous, strong writer, cooperative: qualities of judges #scc
French isn't on the list of Hogg's necessary qualities for judges. #scc
Moldaver starts w/ a joke. Says the last time he was this nervous was 38 yrs ago in his first defence trial and his client will be out soon
Moldaver speaks first: says he is humbled by Harper's nomination.
Moldaver says he is proud to be a Canadian where dreams become reality #scc
Moldaver has two brother, one a teacher, one a laywer. The teacher will help Moldaver learn french he says #scc
Moldaver takes on the question of his French skills by speaking in French. He apologizes for lack of french and says he will improve #scc
Moldaver chokes up talking about how great his late mother was and how proud she would be today #scc
Moldaver has two daughters, one is a lawyer, the other is a university student -- considering law, but not looking forward to LSAT #scc
Moldaver says he came to appreciate the value of a strong, vibrant defence bar as a criminal lawyer.
That statement likely to refute critiques that Moldaver has been hard on defence lawyers. #scc
Moldaver talks about his journey from defence lawyer to trial judge to appellate judge. #scc
It speaks to what we are all about as Canadians and what we aspire to be, says Moldaver of the Charter #scc
We can't lose sight of the fact that we are striking down laws made by democartically elected MPS. That requires caution, says Moldaver #scc
Moldaver's speech praises defence lawyers and the Charter, both of which he has made controversial comments about in the past #scc
Karakatsanis speaks about her Greek heritage. She is the first Greek-Canadian nominee. She says her parents are watching #scc
Law is a family business for Karakatsanis. Two kids and husband are lawyers. But no "madam justice" at home, she says. #scc
K says her immigrant background makes her more sensitive to the challenges of others. #scc
K says she spent two weeks every year in Quebec to learn French, says she can read and write and understand French. #scc
K too takes on the critique of her "unconventional " route to the bench, through the public service #scc
K too says politicians make laws, but if they are against the constitution then the courts must strike them down. #scc
Opening statemnets are over, Moldaver jokingly asks "Can we go now?" #scc
K says judges always have to be careful. She says she fills a public role and the public must trust people who hold those positions. #scc
Moldaver says the judges are here to serve the people and judges have an obligation to do their best to write judgments that are intelligble
Comartin brings up Moldaver's French skills, asks him to justify his language skills to Quebecers #Scc
Justice Min Rob Nicholson is explaining that the public hearing is meant to bring greater transparency to the courts #sccby rebeccalindell via twitter 10/19/2011 7:43:31 PM