Supreme Court of Canada announces two retirements; Harper to fill

Source: The Globe and Mail

The Supreme Court of Canada is facing a significant “void” as two of its judges – Mr. Justice Ian Binnie and Madam Justice Louise Charron – announced their impending retirements.

In a release from the court Friday, Madam Justice Beverley McLachlin announced that Justice Charron's retirement will be effective August 30, 2011, with Justice Binnie’s scheduled for the same day.

... (Judge Binnie) occupied a centrist position on the court and was a prolific writer known for his clean prose and the wit he injected into his decisions.

... A private-member's bill last year requiring Supreme Court judges to be proficient in both French and English did not pass last year, so Prime Minister Harper is likely to be sensitive to how easily the issue could flair up in Quebec if he were to make a false move.

Read more: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/two-supreme-court-judges-announce-retirement/article2021090/

but am I right in thinking that it's a bad time for this?