Lawyers continue to be appointed Queen's Counsel by the federal government and eight of the ten Canadian provinces. The award has been criticised in the past on the basis that appointment as Queen's Counsel depended largely on political affiliation, as well as suggestions that its monarchical connotations were not consistent with modern Canadian identity. However, in those provinces which continue to appoint lawyers as Queen's Counsel reforms have been made to de-politicise the award. Candidates are increasingly screened by committees composed of representatives of the bench and the bar, who give advice to the relevant Attorney General on appointments. The reforms have been designed to make the award a recognition of merit by individual members of the bar, often coupled with community service.