US EditionJustice minister defends judicial appointment process after Alberta funding threat
Justice Minister Sean Fraser rejects Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's demand for greater provincial input, emphasizing the need to protect judicial independence from political influence.
- On Feb. 4, 2026, Federal Justice Minister Sean Fraser rejected Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's appeal for more input on judicial selections and defended the federal judicial appointment process.
- In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ms. Smith requested consultation on judicial appointments but did not threaten to withhold funding, according to Fraser.
- Under the current arrangement, the federal government appoints and pays judges serving on Alberta's superior courts while the Alberta government funds support staff and equipment, and independent advisory committees include provincial representatives in the process.
- Fraser cautioned that safeguarding judicial independence requires appointments free of political influence and guaranteed provincial funding for court support staff and equipment.
- Fraser responded in Ottawa on Feb. 4, 2026, while heading to a Liberal caucus meeting, as Smith's request targets Supreme Court bilingualism rules.
42 Articles
42 Articles
Premier Smith's letter to PM on judicial reform 'not surprising': political analyst
In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the province will withhold funding for new judicial appointments unless it gets a say in the selections. Political analyst Deirdre Mitchell-MacLean says the letter is part of Smith’s push for Alberta autonomy amid calls for separatism.
The federal Minister of Justice, Sean Fraser, announced that he would not respond to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's request for greater participation in the judicial selection process, after she had threatened to retain the funding of the courts if such changes were not made.
Justice Minister Fraser Rejects Alberta Premier’s Request for More Input on Judge Selection
Justice Minister Sean Fraser said the federal government will continue with its current process for selecting judges, after Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said the province would cease funding for new judicial appointments unless it was given more influence over selection. “I’m planning to maintain the process that we have in place that has independence, that has rigour, that has led to stellar candidates being appointed, including as recently i…
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