Opposition members in New Brunswick are calling into question the ethics of the provincial justice minister talking politics with a judge.
The controversy comes after provincial Justice Minister Stephen Horsman made a comment about a bill concerning judges during last week’s sitting in the legislature.
“I’ve had many judges call us and tell me personally that they are very happy that this decision is going ahead because they didn’t want to be moved and they’re having a say in this matter now,” Horsman said Friday morning.
He soon clarified his comment, saying no judges had called him personally, but that they had spoken to him at various functions.
But opposition members say the clarification isn’t enough and are now calling for Horsman’s resignation.
“That’s inexcusable, especially for a minister of justice, what it’s saying for the public and what it’s saying for the value system of the Liberals in power now,” said New Brunswick Opposition Leader Bruce Fitch. “The proper thing for him to do, to restore some sort of faith or credibility to this government, is resign.”
But Horsman says that won’t be happening.
“I'm not going to play the political game,” Horsman said on Tuesday. “I’m very honoured to be doing what I'm doing."
And the premier agrees with his minister.
"He clarified his comments right away and I see no issue at all," said New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant.
The reason for the political back and forth has to do with Bill 21, which would give the justice minister the final say as to when a judge can be transferred from one court to another.
More debate on the bill is scheduled for when legislature resumes on June 28.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Laura Brown.
