MP Freeman speaks on the role of women in federal judiciary and Parliament

Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel MP Mylène Freeman weighed in on the need to appoint more female judges to the federal judiciary, during a debate in the House of Commons on Monday, November 14.

The issue was first highlighted by a fellow New Democat, Françoise Boivin of Gatineau, who noted only eight of the 41 federal judges appointed by the Conservative government this year were women.

"In 2010, 13 out of 37 appointees were women," Boivin said. "However, women have outnumbered men in law faculties for a number of years. In addition, the number of female lawyers in Canada has been rising continually. Why have this government and this Prime Minister given so little importance to equality?"

Conservative MP Rob Nicholson, also the federal justice minister, replied that "no government has been more committed to the promotion of women than this government and I am very proud to be a part of this government."

He continued: "Perhaps the honourable member has not heard but, when it comes to full-time judges, thanks to our government, women now represent approximately 40 per cent of Canada's judiciary. [...] The NDP members should not make politics out of the judiciary. Supporting the judiciary is what they should be doing."

It was at this point that Freeman addressed the House, reiterating Boivin's point that "those numbers are actually just getting worse and worse."

"This year, under the Conservative government, less than 20 per cent of judicial appointments are women," she said. "That is just not good enough. Talented female lawyers and all Canadian women deserve better."

Freeman noted some Canadian provinces and other countries "have moved to a transparent, arm's-length judicial appointment process," something that could be improved upon by Canada's ruling party.

According to statistics from the Justice Department of Canada, and reported in The Globe and Mail last week, the appointment of female judges has indeed diminished since the Conservative government was elected in 2006. Only eight women have been appointed to the federal judiciary this year. In 2010, 13 women were given judgeships.

The Canadian Bar Association noted since the Conservatives were re-elected in October 2008, only 27 per cent (36 of 133) of the lawyers appointed to the provincial superior or appellate courts, and the federal and tax courts, have been women. During the Liberals' last year in office, in 2005, 41 per cent of judicial appointments went to women.

The total number of judges is now split at 32 per cent women and 68 per cent men.

"The government needs to improve appointment processes and set benchmarks for gender equity," Freeman concluded. "Why will the Conservative government not act now to ensure equity and equal opportunity for women?"

Nicholson again said he was proud of his government's record, noting it will continue to make appointments "on the basis of merit and legal excellence."

Referring to Freeman, he added: "I would ask the honourble member to check her figures. The number of women has gone up under this administration at all different levels. I would ask her to quit playing politics with the judiciary of this country. I say to opposition members to support the judiciary and the measures that have been undertaken by this government. It would be good for the NDP."

A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice told The Globe and Mail said 30 per cent of the 420 judges appointed since 2006 were women, but said the figure reflects the number of women who apply for judgeships and are recommended by a committee that vets applications.

Irwin Cotler, the former federal justice minister under the Liberals, told media he was disappointed by the plunging figures: "The numbers should leap out and tell you something is wrong here. It doesn't mean that the people being appointed are not good candidates, but when you have that kind of configuration, something is just not reflecting the proper equities."

During a statement period for MPs on Wednesday, November 16, Freeman also addressed McGill University's Women in House program. She said the program "aims to foster an interest in political involvement in young women with the goal of improving female representation in government."

Freeman explained the program began in 2001 "as an attempt to break down the barriers women face in politics," noting female MPs senators would be mentoring young women who were visiting Parliament that day.

"The participants will hear first hand from female politicians about the daily realities of political life," she said. "This program makes politics accessible to young women and has inspired past participants, including myself, profoundly.

"As a student, I was a participant and a coordinator of Women in House and it motivated me to push the boundaries of what it meant to be a politician. I hope participants will take away from this eye-opening experience the desire to get involved and break down the barriers women face in politics."