Security Certificate Legislation (Bill C-3) Needs Further Amendments
The CBA says Bill C-3 (amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) requires further changes to meet the constitutional standard outlined by the Supreme Court of Canada. Isabelle Dongier of Montreal, a member of the National Citizenship and Immigration Law Section, presented the CBA submission to the Public Safety and National Security Committee in November. The CBA recommends a number of changes to improve the legislation, including:

• The government must disclose all relevant information to the court and special advocate, not just the evidence the government believes is helpful.
• Special advocates must have continued contact with the named person after reviewing the secret evidence, subject to an obligation not to disclose the secret evidence.
• Special advocates must have sufficient logistical and administrative support to effectively challenge the government’s confidential evidence.

News Release: www.cba.org/CBA/News/2007_Releases/2007-11-29_c3.aspx
Submission: www.cba.org/CBA/submissions/pdf/07-59-eng.pdf


2008 Mid-Winter Meeting of Council, February 21 to 24
Four great reasons to come to the CBA Mid-Winter Meeting in Yellowknife:

• Continuing Legal Education, Feb. 21. Standing at a Crossroads: How are Indigenous Perspectives Influencing the Evolution of Canadian Law?
• Advocacy on behalf of the profession: The CBA’s Task Force on Conflicts of Interest will present its interim findings following the consultation with members that took place this fall.
• Meet the candidates for National 2nd VP. Paul N.K. Smith of Yellowknife and Rodney A. Snow of Whitehorse will outline their priorities.
• Networking: Opportunities abound, including: Welcome and Late Night receptions; At-Home and President’s dinners; Northern Lights at the Aurora Village; tours, dog-sledding, and much more!

Details and Registration: www.cba.org/midwinter
E-mail: mtgs@cba.org or Phone: 1-800-267-8860 ext. 157


CBA to Intervene at Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court has granted CBA leave to intervene in Privacy Commissioner v. Blood Tribe. At issue is whether the Privacy Commissioner of Canada can compel the production of documents when a claim of solicitor-client privilege is asserted in the context of an investigation under the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA). Mahmud Jamal and Craig Lockwood, of Osler in Toronto are acting as CBA’s pro bono counsel.


Young Professionals’ Internship Program 2008-2009
Young lawyers interested in overseas placements in Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and South East Asia are invited to apply to the CBA-Administered Young Professionals International Program. The eight-month placements are offered to lawyers who are 30 years old or younger, interested in contributing to human rights and legal development, and to getting international experience. Airfares, accommodation and expenses are paid.

Details: www.cba.org/CBA/IDP/YIIP/


CBA President Honours Former Chief Justice Antonio Lamer
In his remarks at the Supreme Court of Canada’s special memorial for the Rt. Hon. Antonio Charles Lamer in December, CBA President Bernard Amyot praised the former Chief Justice as a great defender of rights and liberties – a jurist who served Canada and the legal profession with pride and dignity.

“The Canadian legal profession remembers Chief Justice Lamer with great fondness for his dedication to improving the justice system, his steady guidance in presiding over some of the great challenges of our time, and for his exceptional warmth,” said Mr. Amyot. The President also reflected on the legacy that Antonio Lamer leaves the judiciary, the legal profession and the CBA.

“He will also be remembered as a resilient defender of the Rule of law and of judicial independence. He held steadfast to the view that the Judiciary must be in a position to resist the political pressures of public criticism. And he was always appreciative of the CBA’s support.”


The 50 Year Pin
Mr. George McMinn, QC, Chief Clerk of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia receives his 50 year pin from CBABC’s Joanne Silver. January 2008 marked Mr. McMinn’s 54th continuous year of membership in the Canadian Bar Association. B.C. Branch President Kenneth Walton initiated the pins as recognition of the membership and service of CBABC lawyers in our province.


Section Enrolment BONUS OFFER Winners 2007/2008
CBA members who enrolled in this Section activity year before August 17, 2007 were eligible to win the “Early Bird Sign Up Bonus Offer” of two gift certificates toward CLEBC products and two complimentary one-day CLEBC courses. Entered in the draw were 2,093 Section members. The winners are:

1. Gift certificate of $700 to be used toward any CLEBC product(s) of the winner’s choice: Laurie A. Fenlon, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver
2. Complimentary registration to a regular, one-day CLEBC course: Susan A. Copland, Investment Industry Association of Canada, Vancouver
3. Complimentary registration to a regular, one-day CLEBC course: Kimberley D.B. Norris, Ministry of Attorney General – Criminal Justice Branch, Victoria
4. Gift certificate of $300 to be used toward any CLEBC product(s) of the winner’s choice: Christopher G. Devlin, Devlin Gailus, Victoria

It’s not too late to enroll in Sections. Contact the B.C. Branch office at 604-687-3404 or toll free 1-888-687-3404 or e-mail sections@bccba.org. Once again, the CBABC wishes to thank CLEBC for their generous donation.

These articles were published in the February 2008 issue of BarTalk and are subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2008, all rights reserved.