It’s complicated. Privy Council officials, as they should, call the shots when you argue with a sitting judgeIntergovernmental Affairs Secretary Dominic LeBlanc responded Tuesday on the sidelines of the cabinet meeting in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island.

A log It’s been around since Mr. Harper’s years It must be obeyed, Mr LeBlanc said while dating a retired judge it’s a little less sensitive.

It’s not about me picking up the phone and calling a judge on a list to say, “Hey, what are you doing here for the next 18 months?” he continued. That’s not how it works. You have to be respectful. The independence of the judiciary requires that we be careful and act according to a protocol that has been discussed with the Chief Justices.

The minister said he has even had two meetings so far with Chief Justice of Canada Richard Wagner to get his advice on the best course of action, suggestions that have been made very helpful.

Overall, Mr. LeBlanc says there are discussions about the inquiry with other parties in the House of Commons are very constructive and are making good progress. And although he vowed a few months ago that there would be an announcement before the parliamentary hearings ended last June, he keeps telling himself optimistic, […] very close when asking for a schedule.

The complicated questions of structure and supervision are decided practically unanimously. […] We’re getting to the final stage.said Mr. LeBlanc.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau initially left it up to former governor-general David Johnston to decide whether or not to set up a commission of inquiry. The latter rejected the idea in a preliminary report before resigning as special rapporteur in June (new window). The Liberals then began talks with the opposition parties about how to proceed.

The leaders of all opposition parties have been invited, on Mr Johnston’s recommendation, to view a confidential appendix to Mr Johnston’s preliminary report.

Mr. Johnston wrote this appendix presents the most important allegations of the media in detail and […] Contains excerpts from intelligence documents and other products that led me to my conclusions.

Conservatives and bloc leaders Pierre Poilievre and Yves-François Blanchet declined, believing the security clearance required to read the information would silence them.