Nova Scotia awaits federal appointments from Trudeau government

The Trudeau government has yet to make a major appointment in Nova Scotia, but from the Canadian Senate to the Nova Scotia Supreme Court bench, there are a plethora of plums available.

Nova Scotia federal cabinet minister Scott Brison is promising the best and brightest will be picked to fill a growing number of vacant federal positions in this province.

"We are looking for a more transparent and open process," said Brison, president of the Treasury Board. 

Earlier this year, Ottawa promised to advertise vacant positions, ensure gender and diversity guidelines are met and require relevant skills.

Plums to come 

Many of the vacancies are coveted political appointments.

The retirement of Conservatives Gerald Comeau and Don Oliver means there are two seats from Nova Scotia open in the Senate.

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A Senate seat — dubbed the "task-less thanks" — comes with a base pay of $145,000. Two more Nova Scotia Senate seats will open by the end of 2017 when terms end for Jim Cowan and Kelvin Ogilvie.

Judgeships available

There are currently four federal judicial vacancies on the Nova Scotia Supreme Court — two general division and two family division. Judgeships are far more demanding than a Senate seat and the pay reflects that.

Salary for the Nova Scotia Supreme Court is $314,100 a year.

Unlike other provinces, there has been no outspoken lobbying from the courts here to fill the vacancies.

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"The vacancies in this province are not as worrisome as in some other areas of the country," said Jennifer Stairs, communications director with the Executive Office of the Nova Scotia Judiciary. 

"Although the Nova Scotia Judiciary is hopeful the positions will be filled soon, we don't have the sense of urgency that others have expressed." 

The MacKay experience 

Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould has announced a review of the way Ottawa makes judicial appointments to ensure openness, transparency, merit and diversity.

Federal appointments to the bench in Nova Scotia made by the previous Conservative government raised eyebrows.

A group affiliated with the left-leaning Broadbent Institute claimed that from October 2013 to 2015, six of nine federal judges appointed in Nova Scotia were colleagues or friends of then-federal justice minister Peter MacKay.

Those appointed included Josh Arnold, best man at MacKay's 2012 wedding and Arnold's wife, Cindy Cormier. MacKay's office responded they were assessed and recommended by a committee.

Nova Scotia Justice Minister Diana Whalen said she's heard no concerns over federal bench vacancies, but welcomed the review.

"It's always good for a new government to see what processes are in place and to make sure it is a process you can feel confident in," Whalen told CBC News.

Key board positions  

There are currently two unfilled federal appointments to the board of the Halifax Airport Authority and one vacancy on the Halifax Port Authority board.

Next month, Ottawa will have to replace or reappoint former Tory premier Rodney MacDonald when his federal term expires on the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board.

Brison declined to respond when asked when the vacancies will be filled.

"We are engaging and seek to continue to engage the best and the brightest Canadians to put in key roles where they can make a difference in the lives of Canadians," Brison told CBC News.