OTTAWA — Leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands), has named David Merner (candidate for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke) as justice critic on the party’s Shadow Cabinet. The Shadow Cabinet develops positions based on policies adopted by Green Party membership.

After earning degrees from Harvard College and the Universities of Alberta, Oxford and Toronto, David Merner was called to the B.C. and Ontario bars in 1990 and 1991 respectively. Mr. Merner joined the Department of Justice in 1990 to provide constitutional law advice as a member of the department's Canadian Unity Group. He advised Ministers at the Department of Justice and Privy Council Office in Ottawa for 15 years, earning the Head of the Public Service Award and the Department of Justice Merit Award.

“I’m thrilled that David will be the party’s justice critic,” said Ms. May. “His experience and expertise will be invaluable as we address the complicated task of reforming the justice system. David played a central role in helping to make B.C.’s justice system the most innovative in the world through his work as Executive Director of the Dispute Resolution Office and then as Executive Director of Innovation.”

Mr. Merner said: “Having served Canadians for 28 years at the Department of Justice and Privy Council Office in Ottawa, as well as in Victoria at the Ministry of Attorney General, I know from experience that integrity in government depends on strong, determined leadership.

“The SNC-Lavalin scandal showed how government can go off the rails in the absence of integrity and respect for the rule of law. It's an honour to be working under Elizabeth May's leadership as part of the Green Party Shadow Cabinet. I look forward to working with our team to defend integrity in government and the rule of law."

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