BarTalk August 2002
Volume 14, Number 4

Highlights from the June meeting

by Frank C Kraemer

In my last column I described for you the makeup and mandate of the Provincial Council. Since becoming Executive Director, I have prepared a document entitled “Highlights of Provincial Council” following each meeting, as a briefing note for Elected Members and Section Chairs to report on the activities of Council to their respective constituents. Because we are now into summer, and most bar groups do not meet, I thought it desirable to use this column to report to you on some of the 25+ agenda items covered at the June 22, 2002 Provincial Council meeting.

Elections
The following members were elected for 2002/2003:

David Paul (Kamloops), President
Robert Brun (Vancouver), Vice-President
Michael Woodward (White Rock), Secretary-Treasurer
Sabrina Ali (Vancouver), Equality Committee Representative
Ron Lamperson (Qualicum Beach), Officer
Kay Melbye (Victoria), Officer
Diana Dorey (Vancouver) and Meg Shaw (Kelowna), re-elected as Officers
Bill Clarke (Kelowna), re-elected as Young Lawyers Representative

All of these individuals together with Carman Overholt as Past-President will form the 2002/2003 Executive Committee.

I also reported on the election of 21 Council members.

Budget
The Branch Operating and Capital Budget for 2002/2003 was approved as presented.

Family Law Cases on the Supreme Court Website
Justices Martinson and Preston received representations from members of Council on this important issue. Persuasive arguments were made both for and against the continued publication of these decisions (the Chief Justice’s decision is reported on page 1).

Civil Liability Review
Assistant Deputy AG Robert Lapper and Ministry consultant Alix Campbell made a presentation on this topic and invited input from the Branch by October 2, 2002 on the six topics under review. Immediately preceding this presentation, Council heard a presentation on the ultimate limitation period under the Limitation Act, one of the six topics. After lengthy discussion, it was the consensus of Council that the Branch prepare a background information paper but not take a position on any change to the Act.

Governance Policy Matters
Council adopted extensive policies for the operation of its Sections and Committees. It also adopted a new Bylaws and Resolutions Committee.

Services for Members
Council adopted a proposal to create a special committee for the purpose of pursuing the formation of a conference on women’s advancement and recognition in the legal profession.

Council also received reports from the Child Care Working Group as well as the Member Dispute Resolution Group. The former provided a demonstration of the proposed additions to the CBABC Web site which will include information on child care, parenting, work/life balance, as well as links for specialized resources. Council gave approval to the continued work of both of these groups for the coming fiscal year.

Awards
During the luncheon adjournment, President Carman Overholt presented the Vancouver County Community Service Award to Halldor Bjarnason and also presented Certificates of Recognition to those members of Council who had completed three and six year terms.

Sponsorship
The June Council meeting was sponsored by CBABC’s newest preferred supplier, Dye & Durham. Additional information about the services and benefits of this preferred supplier are available at www.bccba.org.

This article was published in the August 2002 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2005, all rights reserved.