Peter MacKay tries to explain lack of diversity on federal courts

More tone deafness on the Government’s judicial appointments. Only three non-white judges out of 200 appointments (Tories chastised for lack of racial diversity in judicial appointments – The Globe and Mail):

According to people in attendance last Friday, MacKay said that as a new father he understands women’s reluctance to leave their children because, while he didn’t want to downplay the role that fathers play, women have a special bond with their children.

Several of the men and women at the meeting of the Ontario Bar Association’s council described the remarks to the Star variously as “disappointing,” “bizarre,” “frustrating” or “offensive.”

In the first instance, they said the answer failed to address the issue of diversity. Secondly, they suggested it was presumptuous if not insensitive, and thirdly it betrayed a lack of understanding of, or commitment to, the goal of making the judiciary more representative, they said.

Today in a scrum he seemed to dig himself in deeper, to the discomfort of some of the women in the Conservative caucus. But surprising that gender diversity has been the main focus, when ethnic diversity is lacking as well.

Peter MacKay tries to explain lack of diversity on federal courts | Toronto Star.