Liberals to name ex-Ontario minister Madeleine Meilleur to official languages post

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is set to name ex-Ontario cabinet minister Madeleine Meilleur as official languages commissioner, The Canadian Press has learned.

Radio-Canada, the CBC's French-language service, also reported the pending appointment Wednesday.

Meilleur announced her retirement from political life last June after 13 years as an Ontario MPP for Ottawa-Vanier.

The longtime Liberal held numerous cabinet posts during her career in the Wynne and McGuinty governments, including francophone affairs, culture, community safety and correctional services, and also served as attorney general.

Meilleur is well-known for having participated in the fight to save the Montfort Hospital in Ottawa in the late 1990s.

News of her candidacy isn't creating unanimity among the opposition, with the NDP calling it a partisan appointment.

"It undermines the authority and credibility of the institution," party leader Tom Mulcair said during question period Wednesday. "Will the prime minister withdraw this appointment, which makes no sense?"

Trudeau did not confirm Meilleur's nomination, saying only the government is consulting with opposition parties before appointing a new commissioner in the coming weeks.

"We believe fundamentally in the importance of protecting our official languages," Trudeau replied. "We're going to pick someone of the highest calibre."

Meilleur would replace Graham Fraser, whose mandate ended in December after 10 years.

Deputy commissioner Ghislaine Saikaley is serving in an acting role until June.

There is little time left for the government to approve the appointment before the parliamentary session ends, with both the Senate and the House of Commons having to give their approval.

Traditionally, the position is held alternately by a francophone and anglophone candidate, although some had been calling on the government to appoint a candidate from Atlantic Canada's Acadian community.

The commissioner ensures the application of language laws and the mandate lasts seven years.