NDP Statement on Liberal Appointments in New Brunswick

NDP Ethics Critic, Charlie Angus (Timmins—James Bay), issued the following statement:

“Yet again, Trudeau's Liberal government has shown a complete disregard for the impartiality of appointments in Canada.

On Tuesday, CBC revealed that five of the last six federal judicial appointments announced in New Brunswick have ties to Dominic LeBlanc, the Minister for Intergovernmental and Northern Affairs and Internal Trade. LeBlanc's neighbour, a LeBlanc family relative, and three lawyers who helped retire debts from LeBlanc's 2008 Liberal leadership bid have all been announced as new federal judges. This level of cronyism is completely unacceptable.

To make matters worse, this isn't the first time that this senior Liberal cabinet Minister has broken the rules to help his personal connections. In September, Canada's Ethics Commissioner ruled that LeBlanc broke conflict of interest rules from handing a highly profitable Arctic surf clam licence to a company linked to his wife's cousin.

At this rate, it looks like Dominic LeBlanc could teach Doug Ford a lesson on patronage appointments.

But it's not just about cronies. We are seeing a disturbing willingess of the Trudeau government to undermine the independence of the judiciary. This interference led to the SNC scandal and the decision by two top Liberal cabinet ministers to quit. The pattern was continued in the leakage of information on the Supreme Court nomination process and the government's policy of vetting judges through a partisan database.

Time and time again, the Liberals have shown that they care more about helping their friends and donors than making life easier for everyday Canadians.

Canada’s appointments should be chosen based on merit, not whether they know Dominic LeBlanc or took a big red lawn sign during the last election. It is time for this patronage to end.”