Law & Order - Controversial in Canada

Only in Canada could a statement that you will appoint judges who will enforce the law be considered controversial.

Steven Harper is frankly admitting that he's looking for judges who will back his law-and-order agenda – and provoking cries from his opponents that he's trying to subvert the judiciary for political ends.

Liberal Leader Stéphane Dion suggested the mask of moderation that Harper put on for the last election has finally slipped from his face.

"He has a lot of difficulty to hide his neo-conservative, very right-wing agenda," Dion said in an interview "He tries his best to look centrist and moderate, but he's unable to hide it."

NDP Leader Jack Layton said he's still trying to figure out the precise impact of changes the Tories have made to the advisory committees in each province that have long vetted candidates for the federal bench.

But Harper's comments clearly give cause for concern, said Layton.

"You never know with this government. The way they have decided to choose judges certainly indicates that they are adopting a much more partisan approach to the whole question."

How is it partisan to want to enforce the law?