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HON. ANDREW SCHEER, P.C., M.P.
ANDREW SCHEER, DEPUTE
LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION CHEF DE OFFICIELLE

April 16, 2019

Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada

80 Wellington St

Ottawa, ON

KIA 0A2

Dear Prime Minister,

Yesterday, Mr. Justice Clement Gascon announced his retirement from the Supreme Court of
Canada. As you are aware, his retirement date September 15, 2019 is the last day that the
writ can drop prior to the next election.

I am deeply concerned that recent leaks regarding the last selection process will discourage
highly qualified candidates from putting their names forward.

On March 25, a leak from your office said that you disagreed with the former Attorney General?s
preferred selection for the Supreme Court. The leaker made media aware of facts that only could
have been known by you or someone very close to you including your emotional state, such as
a trusted friend and/0r senior advisor.

In a misguided attempt at damage control, these leaks smeared the reputation and breached the
privacy of the Chief Justice of the Manitoba Court of Queen?s Bench Glenn oyal. These leaks
have been widely condemned by the Manitoba Bar Association, various legal groups, the
Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs, and even your own current Minister of Justice David
Lametti.

Canadians must have confidence in our justice system and its highest authority; the Supreme
Court of Canada. In order to protect these institutions, you must immediately launch an inquiry
into these damaging, politically motivated leaks. Until that inquiry is concluded, you must
refrain from appointing a new Justice to the Supreme Court of Canada. Should you continue to
refuse to Open an investigation, Canadians will have no choice but to conclude that you and your
advisors were complicit in these leaks.

In addition, you must ensure that members of your office who have politically interfered in
judicial matters in the past, as identified by Jody Wilson?Raybould in her testimony, are not

WEST DE 
OTTAWA, CANADA 0A6

 

Hous: Dr COMMONS
CIIAMBRE DES (ounusts
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HON. ANDREW SCHEER, M.P.
ANDREW SCHEER, C.P., DEPUTE
LEADER OF THE OFFICIAL OPPOSITION CHEF DE OFFICIELLE

involved in the selection process of the next Justice. Specifically, I call on you to put in place an
ethical screen to ensure that Katie Telford, Mathieu Bouchard and Elder Marques do not exercise
any influence over Minister Lametti and are not permitted to participate in any capacity in the
selection process. I would also remind you that it would be completely inappropriate for Mr.
Gerald Butts, now a private citizen, to be involved in this process.

Canadians deserve no less.

Sincerely, 

 
 
   

Hon. Andrew Scheer, P.C., MP.
Leader of the Official Opposition

WEST EDIFICE DE 
OTTAWA, CANADA KIA 0A6