Canadians Waiting For Appointment Of New Supreme Court Justice

April 28, 2008 9:00 a.m. EST

Ottawa, Canada (AHN) - With the unexpected early retirement of Canadian Supreme Court Justice Michael Bastarache, speculations are rife who will be his replacement. The name that crops up as the likely choice is a Atlantic region justice.

According to an informal survey of legal experts in Nova Scotia, the likely replacement of Bastarache would be Justice Thomas Cromwell of the Nova Scotia Court of Appeals. The 59-year old Bastarache is stepping down ahead of the compulsory retirement age of 75.

Metro Halifax said Cromwell is a not a stranger to the Supreme Court because he served as its executive legal officer. Cromwell also taught law at the Dalhousie Law School, is a bilingual and considered a tremendous writer.

The other good choice for the Supreme Court is Justice Leo Barry from the Newfoundland Supreme Court, similarly an ex-law professor and speaks English and French.

The Supreme Court has nine members. The chief justice is Beverly McLachlin, who is slated to retire in 2018.