This amendment is closely related to Manitoba's reality, since the province has a large francophone community. Thanks to the work of francophone lawyers across the country, we know that the situation is quite serious, especially here in Manitoba. No judge can hear a case in French, which is obviously unacceptable. This is not theory, it is the reality here, and it must be changed.
I would like the team that is with us to clarify something. We want to make sure that this amendment casts a wide net, since access to the courts is so important. Proposed subsection 16.2(1) and section 16.3 are about the language proficiency of superior court judges, and proposed subsection 16(3) is about appointments to the federal courts.
Does the term “superior courts” also include the federal courts?