BarTalk February 2004
Volume 16, Number 1

Re: BarTalk Vol. 15/No. 6 “Study on Access to Legal Aid”
Regarding the article about legal aid in the December 2003 BarTalk, it is my constant habit to tell clients and others that lawyers have been required to charge PST since 1993. The purpose of this was to fund legal aid. The provincial government has consistently skimmed much of that money away from legal aid. In effect, the provincial government has created this legal aid funding crisis, puts not one penny into legal aid, and has made money out of the situation since 1993. This perversion of our values and degradation of rights and social justice deserves attention. Members of the profession should point out the many pro bono services provided by the profession and repeat that the fundamental gap in the legal aid system arises from deliberate and dishonest political policy.

Gregory Bruce

Re: BarTalk Vol. 15/No. 6 “Bikram Yoga Contest”
Both I and my sister, who is in practise with me, are regular yoga practitioners. We have found yoga to be an excellant way to promote both our physical and mental well-being given our demanding family law practices. We have even gained clients who wish to have a yoga lawyer. Thanks for promoting this practice which can only assist our colleagues in living a better life.

Shannon Buchan

Re: Mount Washington Lift Tickets
I wanted to let you know how happy I am that the CBA is offering ski lift tickets for Mount Washington as well as Whistler and Sun Peaks. As a Victoria resident it is great to be able to enjoy the savings on our “local” mountain, as well as the other mountains in the province.

Keep up the good work!

Fiona McQueen

Send your Letters to the Editor to:
Caroline Nevin, BarTalk Senior Editor
Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch
Fax: 604.669.9601 / Toll free fax: 1.877.669.9601 / Email: cnevin@bccba.org

These letters were published in the February 2004 issue of BarTalk.