The extension of Canada's involvement in Afghanistan and media coverage of the Maher Arar inquiry fuelled continuing uncertainties about national and personal security. Government financial misdeeds, including the sponsorship scandal and Paul Martin's management of Canada Steamship Lines lowered public confidence in political parties and ... Read morepublic servants while Canadian-US trade disagreements over softwood lumber and beef brought challenges to NAFTA. Nevertheless, the implementation of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement, the legalization of same-sex marriage in many provinces, and the appointment of Louise Charron and Rosalie Abella to the Supreme Court of Canada were indicative of Canada's continuing commitment to supporting the diversity of its citizens.