Prime Minister Stephen Harper nominated University of Toronto alumni Andromache Karakatsanis and Michael Moldaver to be the next additions to the Supreme Court of Canada. “Both Justice Karakatsanis’ and Justice Moldaver’s candidacies were examined through a comprehensive process,” Harper said in a news release.
Under fire for choosing the 63-year old Moldaver, who doesn’t speak French, the PM stood by his decision by saying that both candidates “have the skills and qualifications necessary to serve Canadians as judges of the Supreme Court.”
Moldaver graduated with a law degree from U of T in 1971 and specializes in criminal law. Called to the bar in 1973, he was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 1990 — then the Supreme Court of Ontario — and to his current position on the Ontario Court of Appeal in 1995. Moldaver has also taught at Osgoode Hall Law School.
Karakatsanis, 56, is the first Greek-Canadian to be nominated to the Supreme Court. She was appointed to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice in 2002 before joining the Ontario Court of Appeal last year. According to The Globe and Mail, Karakatsanis lacks practical legal skills despite her extensive administrative experience.
The nominees are to replace Justices Ian Binnie and Louise Charron who have already retired. Karakatsanis and Moldaver will appear before a parliamentary committee on October 19 when MPs will ask them questions as part of the appointment process.
With files from The Globe and Mail.
