Supreme Court seat could still go to Atlantic Canada, says Casey

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has opened nominations for a soon-to-be-vacant Supreme Court of Canada seat to all regions, but it could still go to an Atlantic Canadian, says Charlottetown MP Sean Casey.

• Trudeau won't commit to a Supreme Court judge from Atlantic Canada

Justice Thomas Cromwell of Nova Scotia retires next month, and traditionally his seat would go to another Atlantic Canadian. But Trudeau has mandated a new advisory board to reflect Canada's ethnic diversity, and consider candidates from across the country.

If an Atlantic Canadian [is] a successful candidate we'll have all the more reason to be proud.- MP Sean Casey

Trudeau did not comment on the importance of maintaining regional representation on the court while visiting P.E.I. Tuesday, but Charlottetown MP Sean Casey did.

"What the prime minister has said is not that Atlantic Canada would be shut out. What the prime minister has said is that everyone across Canada would be welcome to apply for this seat," said Casey.

"This seat has by constitutional convention been an Atlantic Canadian seat, and when the process is done it may very well still be. And I think if an Atlantic Canadian judge or lawyer emerges from this process as a successful candidate we'll have all the more reason to be proud."

No Islander has served on the Supreme Court of Canada since 1924.

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