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In accepting the recommendation made by the Scott commission, the government had to consider its impact on specific cases, including the formula to be used when there are two surviving spouses.

In accepting the recommendation made by the Scott commission, the government had to consider its impact on specific cases, including the formula to be used when there are two surviving spouses.

However, the Senate was of the view that the process would be further strengthened by the inclusion of certain express statutory criteria that would help define and clarify the scope of the mandate of the new judicial compensation and benefits commission.

However, the Senate was of the view that the process would be further strengthened by the inclusion of certain express statutory criteria that would help define and clarify the scope of the mandate of the new judicial compensation and benefits commission.

The objective criteria cited were the following: the state of Canada's economy, including the cost of living, as well as the government's overall economic and financial situation; the role played by the financial security of judges in maintaining judicial independence; the need to recruit the best candidates for the bench; and any other obje

The objective criteria cited were the following: the state of Canada's economy, including the cost of living, as well as the government's overall economic and financial situation; the role played by the financial security of judges in maintaining judicial independence; the need to recruit the best candidates for the bench; and any other objective factor it deems pertinent.

The official opposition is grateful for the amendment put forward by our colleague from Crowfoot.

The official opposition is grateful for the amendment put forward by our colleague from Crowfoot.

This task will not be left solely to the Minister of Justice as originally contemplated by the government.

This task will not be left solely to the Minister of Justice as originally contemplated by the government.

As stated repeatedly in this House during all stages of the bill, other public servants and Canadians in general have not been afforded the same wage increase as that granted to the judges by Bill C-37.

As stated repeatedly in this House during all stages of the bill, other public servants and Canadians in general have not been afforded the same wage increase as that granted to the judges by Bill C-37.

These findings, released by Statistics Canada, were derived from the 1996 census.

These findings, released by Statistics Canada, were derived from the 1996 census.

I recognize the thorough job the Senate did in reviewing the bill and the substantive amendments put forward by the upper house.

I recognize the thorough job the Senate did in reviewing the bill and the substantive amendments put forward by the upper house.

The judiciary would have to prove, however, in a court that the refusal to increase salaries or a decision to lower them was motivated by a wish to diminish the independence of judges.

The judiciary would have to prove, however, in a court that the refusal to increase salaries or a decision to lower them was motivated by a wish to diminish the independence of judges.

As pointed out by the Liberal senator this will:

As pointed out by the Liberal senator this will:

I will turn specifically to the amendments put forward by the Senate.

I will turn specifically to the amendments put forward by the Senate.

Bill C-37, as originally drafted by the Department of Justice, created a legal right for a judge to have two spouses.

Bill C-37, as originally drafted by the Department of Justice, created a legal right for a judge to have two spouses.

Previous amendments to the Judges Act introduced during the last parliament under Bill C-42 set out terms in which Canadian judges could participate in international activities, although it was never explicitly admitted by the government-it was no secret-that those amendments to the Judges Act arose due to the appointment of Madam Justice Lo

Previous amendments to the Judges Act introduced during the last parliament under Bill C-42 set out terms in which Canadian judges could participate in international activities, although it was never explicitly admitted by the government-it was no secret-that those amendments to the Judges Act arose due to the appointment of Madam Justice Louise Arbour to the United Nations as prosecutor f

I commend the Senate and support those amendments eliminating this tailor made clause of Bill C-37, clauses which, as stated by Senator Cools, ``script their sins into the laws of the nation''.

I commend the Senate and support those amendments eliminating this tailor made clause of Bill C-37, clauses which, as stated by Senator Cools, ``script their sins into the laws of the nation''.

During his appearance before the Senate committee reviewing Bill C-37 former commission chairman David Scott clearly questioned statutorily defining criteria as proposed by the Senate.

During his appearance before the Senate committee reviewing Bill C-37 former commission chairman David Scott clearly questioned statutorily defining criteria as proposed by the Senate.

Nor do we support any expansion of the commission's powers, powers which were not originally contemplated by the government and the House.

Nor do we support any expansion of the commission's powers, powers which were not originally contemplated by the government and the House.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to speak to Bill C-37, as amended by the Senate.

Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise today to speak to Bill C-37, as amended by the Senate.

However, while the amendments put forward by our brave colleagues in the Senate are a step in the right direction, we think many more amendments would be required and much more work would have to be done on this bill before the Bloc Quebecois could consider supporting it.

However, while the amendments put forward by our brave colleagues in the Senate are a step in the right direction, we think many more amendments would be required and much more work would have to be done on this bill before the Bloc Quebecois could consider supporting it.

We are opposed to the principle of raising federal judges' salaries by approximately 13%, which is unacceptable to us in the Bloc Quebecois, and that is why we oppose the bill.

We are opposed to the principle of raising federal judges' salaries by approximately 13%, which is unacceptable to us in the Bloc Quebecois, and that is why we oppose the bill.

We are also in favour of the Senate amendments for the following reasons: a number of these amendments would bring the French and English versions of the bill more in line with one another, while one other amendment clarifies the mandate of the commission being established by the federal government.

We are also in favour of the Senate amendments for the following reasons: a number of these amendments would bring the French and English versions of the bill more in line with one another, while one other amendment clarifies the mandate of the commission being established by the federal government.

In this respect, we support the explanation given to the committee by Professor Jamie Cameron of Osgoode Hall.

In this respect, we support the explanation given to the committee by Professor Jamie Cameron of Osgoode Hall.

This raises the question of whether the federal government has jurisdiction to legislate the division of estate assets by defining the expression ``surviving spouse'' and with all the rights accorded subsequently in the bill according to the definition of ``surviving spouse''.

This raises the question of whether the federal government has jurisdiction to legislate the division of estate assets by defining the expression ``surviving spouse'' and with all the rights accorded subsequently in the bill according to the definition of ``surviving spouse''.

In 1981, Parliament provided for the creation of independent commissions with a mandate to confirm that the pay and benefits of judges were sufficient in view of the importance of judicial independence and the unique role given judges by the Canadian Constitution.

In 1981, Parliament provided for the creation of independent commissions with a mandate to confirm that the pay and benefits of judges were sufficient in view of the importance of judicial independence and the unique role given judges by the Canadian Constitution.

The 1995 Scott Commission I have already referred to recommended a progressive 8.3% increase, and the Liberal government accepted that recommendation in its bill by proposing 4.1% yearly for two years.

The 1995 Scott Commission I have already referred to recommended a progressive 8.3% increase, and the Liberal government accepted that recommendation in its bill by proposing 4.1% yearly for two years.

The Minister of Justice may well want to reward judges by increasing their salaries, but she would do better to persuade her colleague, the Minister of Finance, to compensate the provinces for the cuts to health, welfare and post-secondary education transfer payments.

The Minister of Justice may well want to reward judges by increasing their salaries, but she would do better to persuade her colleague, the Minister of Finance, to compensate the provinces for the cuts to health, welfare and post-secondary education transfer payments.