NL

Andrew Parsons advocating for N.L. judge in Canada's top court

With a vacant seat on the Supreme Court of Canada, the province's justice minister says it's finally time for representation from Newfoundland and Labrador.

'We are the only province to have never had an individual appointed,' justice minister says

Justice Minister Andrew Parsons wants the next appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada to be a judge from Newfoundland and Labrador. (CBC)

With a vacant seat on the Supreme Court of Canada, the province's justice minister says it's finally time for representation from Newfoundland and Labrador.

Justice Thomas Cromwell is retiring from the country's top court in September 2016.

That will leave a vacant position Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons believes could be filled by a local judge.

Parsons said in a news release Wednesday he has written federal Minister of Justice Jody Wilson-Raybould to advocate for a representative from this province to be chosen.

Justice Thomas Cromwell has announced he will retire in September. (Philippe Landreville/Supreme Court of Canada Collection)

"We are the only province to have never had an individual appointed to sit as a Supreme Court of Canada Justice, while decisions made by the court have direct impacts on the daily lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," Parsons said in a statement.

"As we near the 67th anniversary of Newfoundland and Labrador becoming Canada's 10th province, this government firmly believes that the time has come for a Supreme Court of Canada justice from this province."

The replacement for Cromwell should come from one of the Atlantic provinces, Parsons's news release said.

Parsons said this province has a number of qualified candidates for the job.