Today in Canada's Political History - February 23, 2006: Prime Minister Stephen J. Harper announces his first Supreme Court appointment

  • National Newswatch

Canada’s new Prime Minister, Stephen J. Harper, announced his government’s first pick for the Supreme Court on this date in 2006. His choice was respected Manitoba transportation law expert Marshall Rothstein who was serving on the Federal Court of Appeal at the time of his appointment. “Marshall Rothstein’s candidacy was scrutinized by a comprehensive process initiated by the previous Government that included members from all the political parties,” said Prime Minister Harper. “I believe he has the qualifications necessary to serve Canadians well from the country’s highest court.”

Justice Rothstein served with great distinction on Canada’s highest court until his retirement in 2015. He returned to private practice upon leaving the bench.

Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist. He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy. A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.



Arthur Milnes is an accomplished public historian and award-winning journalist. He was research assistant on The Rt. Hon. Brian Mulroney’s best-selling Memoirs and also served as a speechwriter to then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper and as a Fellow of the Queen’s Centre for the Study of Democracy under the leadership of Tom Axworthy. A resident of Kingston, Ontario, Milnes serves as the in-house historian at the 175 year-old Frontenac Club Hotel.