Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino yesterday said he was careful to avoid any interference in the federal appointment of a personal friend as a judge. “I recused myself,” said Mendicino..“I recused myself from the discussions and decision concerning the appointment of Mohamed Rahman,” Mendicino wrote in a filing with the Office of the Ethics Commissioner. Both Mendicino and Rahman had previously served as Crown prosecutors..According to Blacklock's Reporter, cabinet discussed Rahman’s appointment to the Ontario Superior Court on June 14, according to records. The appointment was announced June 21..Mendicino named Rahman as a personal friend, but said he played no part in the appointment. His recusal was “to avoid any appearance of preferential treatment or any opportunity to further the private interest of my friend,” wrote Mendicino..Rahman in 2016 was appointed a provincial court judge in Brampton, Ont. prior to his promotion last month to Superior Court. He had worked 18 years as a prosecutor with the federal Department of Justice..Attorney General David Lametti in an earlier statement praised the appointment. “This process emphasizes transparency, merit and the diversity of the Canadian population and will continue to ensure the appointment of jurists who meet the highest standards of excellence and integrity,” said Lametti..Numerous friends of cabinet and political aides have won judicial appointments. Jill Presser, a Toronto lawyer and longtime Liberal Party donor, on July 2, 2021 was appointed an Ontario Superior Court judge. Presser’s husband previously employed Katie Telford, currently the Prime Minister’s chief of staff..Robert Centa, another Toronto lawyer and longtime Liberal Party donor, on May 19 was also appointed a Superior Court judge. Michel Bourque, a Calgary tax lawyer and Liberal Party donor, last December 20 was appointed to Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench..Liberal donor Bob Aloneissi of Edmonton last April 20 was named a judge at Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench. And Attorney General Lametti in 2020 appointed a contributor to his own campaign, Philippe Bélanger of Montréal, to Québec Superior Court..The House of Commons justice committee at a June 15, 2021 hearing dismissed by a vote of 6 to 5 a Conservative proposal to review partisan vetting of judicial appointees. “We have a fantastic court system,” Liberal MP James Maloney (Etobicoke-Lakeshore, Ont.) said at the time..“There are many lawyers in Parliament but there are many lawyers who are practising in the courts in every jurisdiction in Canada who are active politically,” said Maloney. “Should that or does that disqualify them from being appointed to the bench? No, of course not. It’s outrageous to suggest that.”
