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Forty-two Organizations Appeal to Have Canadian Supreme Court Chief Justice Removed from Office over Morgentaler Affair

OTTAWA, August 14, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - Forty-two Canadian organizations, representing an estimated one million plus members, collectively filed a letter of complaint with the Canadian Judicial Council on Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 about federally appointed chief justice Beverley McLachlin for conduct that breaches the high standard of behaviour required to be a member of the judiciary.  The complaint is based on six alleged counts of violating the Constitution of the Order of Canada (an act of Parliament) and its regulations and one count of compromising the Supreme Court of Canada.

On Canada Day this year it was announced that arch-abortionist Henry Morgentaler had been named at the last minute to the Order of Canada, Canada's highest civilian honor. However, reports have indicated that, contrary to normal procedure, the decision to grant Morgentaler the award was not a unanimous decision of the advisory council. Instead, it has been reported that Justice McLachlin personally spearheaded the push to violate Order of Canada procedural regulations and nominate Morgentaler despite objections from members of the advisory council.

Brian Rushfeldt, Executive Director, Canada Family Action Coalition says, "It is critical for Canadians to have trust in the conduct of judges, especially the chief justice of the Supreme Court of Canada.  By willfully breaching the requirements of the Constitution of the Order of Canada and the judicial standards of conduct, Beverley McLachlin compromises the integrity of Canada's judicial system. The behaviour of Beverley McLachlin outside the courtroom, clearly demonstrates bias along with improper conduct driven by political ideology or personal agenda."

Both the Governor General and Justice McLachlin have refused to explain publicly what occurred this year during the process of selecting Order of Canada nominees. Rushfeldt said that the advisory council has a responsibility to be transparent just as any other government function ought to be. "The silence of the GG and the chief judge raises more doubt and mistrust about who we are dealing with here and what they have done. That is why we need an investigation" he said.

The letter from the 42 organizations reads: "In order to preserve the integrity of Canada's judicial system we respectfully ask that the Canadian Judicial Council consider this complaint seriously, investigate Beverley McLachlin's inappropriate behaviour and recommend to Parliament that Ms. McLachlin be sanctioned or removed from office."

For related coverage see LifeSiteNews.com's Morgentaler Order of Canada page:
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008_docs/Morgentalerorder.html

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