Should Supreme Court Justices be bilingual?

Justice Michael Moldaver, one of two justices nominated to sit on the Supreme Court, faced tough questions from opposition MPs Wednesday about his limited abilities in French.

Justice Michael Moldaver appears before a Parliamentary panel Wednesday. (CBC)Moldaver vowed that if his nomination was successful, he would do "everything in my power in the years ahead to become more proficient in the French language."

The New Democrats' Interim Leader Nycole Turmel told reporters Wednesday morning that it is her party's position that Supreme Court judges should be bilingual. A bill from NDP MP Yvon Godin would require Supreme Court judges to understand both official languages without the aid of a translator.

"We won't support the recommendation," she said.

However, NDP MP Joe Comartin was a member of the selection panel and signed off on the list of six candidates.

Bob Rae, the interim leader of the Liberals, said it is his party's "preference" that Supreme Court judges understand both languages and that the court should be a bilingual institution. Rae said he believed Moldaver could learn to work in French following his appointment.
    
Should Supreme Court Justices be required to understand both official languages? Should bilingualism be a requirement for nomination to the Supreme Court? Let us know what you think.



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