There is strong reaction against comments by Premier Doug Ford that he wants to make sure there are like-minded judges in Ontario.

The Advocates Society is a national organization representing court lawyers and has released a letter to the premier which says, “the fact that a candidate holds the same beliefs as the government of the day or is a member of the party in power, should never factor in their selection as a judge.”

On Friday, staff in the premier’s office insisted that Ford in his comments on that day meant he wants like-minded people selecting judges, and not actually like minded judges.

But Monday in the legislature, the premier made clear what he meant.

“Mr. Speaker, they’re kicking doors in, they’re putting guns to peoples’ heads, and guess what happens Mr. Speaker?” Ford asked, “They get out on bail and then they go do it again, and then get out on bail again, and then they get out on bail. So I am going to make sure we have like-minded judges.”

Ford was responding to a question from Liberal MPP John Fraser who asked if the premier would rescind the appointments of his former deputy chief of staff and his former director of stakeholder relations to the committee which vets and recommends judges for the Ontario Court of Justice.

The Criminal Lawyers’ Association is echoing the Advocates’ Society’s concerns, telling the premier his comments “confirmed your government’s intentions to politicize the process.”