Proceed with caution. That's our advice to Prime Minister Paul Martin and his Liberal government as they cast about for a more transparent and accountable way to appoint Supreme Court justices.

Canadians are blessed with a high court of knowledgeable, nimble minds and unimpeachable integrity. That matters, especially in an era in which the Charter of Rights and Freedoms must be upheld in the context of rapidly shifting social norms, ever-evolving technology, the erosion of privacy and the need for effective anti-terror laws.

The appointment this week of Madam Justices Louise Charron and Rosalie Abella, two respected jurists, promises to add lustre to a nine-person court already held in high regard in this country and abroad. The court's integrity must be protected, regardless of how justices are to be selected.

Since Confederation, the prime minister has made the appointments, based on vetting by the justice minister who, in turn, consults with the provinces, the bar and law schools to identify the best candidates. The system works. No justice has shown herself or himself to be biased, incompetent or disreputable. And the prime minister's key role is enshrined in the Constitution, so the system cannot be easily changed.

But what is good can be improved. If Ottawa can come up with a process to bring in Parliament and the public, all the better. That is what Justice Minister Irwin Cotler has in mind with his proposal to create a new, broadly based 'judicial advisory committee' to help identify a short list of top candidates from which the prime minister can choose. Cotler hopes to have such a process in place by 2006.

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