The latest nominee to the country's top court says an impartial, independent and credible judiciary is critical to sustaining Canada's democracy.

Quebec Justice Richard Wagner is appearing before a House of Commons committee where his appointment to the Supreme Court of Canada is being vetted.

However the proceedings are less a job interview than an opportunity for Wagner to introduce himself to curious Canadians.

Prime Minister Stephen Harper selected Wagne, the son of former federal cabinet minister Claude Wagner, from a shortlist of three candidates earlier this week.

Within 48 hours, Wagner was in front of a Conservative-dominated committee to get the final clearance before filling a vacant seat on the nine-justice Supreme Court bench.

The main objection to Wagner's appointment appears to be his gender, as there will now be six men and only three women on the top court, but as NDP critic Francoise Boivin told Wagner, "we can't blame you for that.''

Picture courtesy:owensoundsuntimes.ca