Hon. Denise Batters: Minister Lametti, recently, federal judicial vacancies have ballooned to an all-time high on your watch. On September 1, there were a record 91 judicial vacancies. As of October 1, there are still 89.

The Supreme Court of Canada’s R. v. Jordan decision means that people charged with serious crimes can go free because of excessive court delays. As the Minister of Justice, you have the sole and complete control over one simple solution to that problem: Appoint more judges and appoint them now.

When I asked you about this in 2021, you blamed the election. Well, we didn’t have one of those last summer. Before that, you blamed empty judicial advisory committees, but guess what? You’re responsible for appointing those too. Victims wait months and years for justice while courtrooms sit empty.

Your government has been in power for seven years, and your excuses have worn thin. After almost four years as Minister of Justice, why are you still failing to fulfill the most basic mandate of your job?

Hon. David Lametti, P.C., M.P., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada: Thank you for the question, senator. It is true — and frankly, it’s the only thing that is true in your question — that there are 89 judicial vacancies.

What’s important to note is that since 2017, we have created, as a government, 116 new judicial positions across Canada, including — and this is included in this number — 27 in the last budget. In fact, we’re appointing judges at a faster pace, and there will be more appointments forthcoming soon.

I can say that with the additional positions that we have created, the provinces and provincial courts are happy that we have done this. They are extremely pleased with both the quality and the diversity of the appointments that we have made, and we will continue to do so. We have appointed, as a government, over 550 judges since we took office, and I proceed at a pace of over 100 a year. That pace will continue, and with the new positions we have created, we will continue to meet the needs of the Canadian judiciary.

[Translation]