Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia
On November 2, at the annual Bench and Bar Dinner, the CBCBC presented Justice Wally Oppal with its highest award for contribution to advancement of the law and legal profession - the Georges A Goyer, QC Award for Distinguished Service.

The CBABC Goyer Award was created to recognize exceptional contributions to the legal profession, to jurisprudence or to the law in British Columbia. The award was established in 1992 in memory of Georges A Goyer, QC, a respected member of the BC Branch who passed away after a courageous battle with cancer.

In nominating Justice Oppal for the Goyer Award, members of the CBABC recounted his many contributions both as a lawyer and as a judge. Of particular note, however, has been his long time passion and contribution to educating the public about the role and workings of the Court. Justice Oppal has served on the Board of the Law Courts Education Society since its creation in 1989, and has spearheaded exceptional initiatives that have reached thousands of people who now understand more fully the Canadian system of justice.

Justice Wally Oppal (left) receives the
Georges A Goyer, QC Award for Distinguished Service
from Carman Overholt, CBABC Secretary-Treasurer