BarTalk August 2004
Volume 16, Number 4

To Be Or Not To Be

By Robert Brun

On January 1, 2005, lawyers in British Columbia, for the first time in more than 50 years, will decide individually if they wish to be a member of the Canadian Bar Association.

For me the choice will be a simple one. I will remain a member for the following reasons.

National and Provincial Representation
As Cameron Ward noted in the June BarTalk issue, the CBA is a venerable and respected national organization. In my view, the CBA provides lawyers in Canada with national representation on issues that affect our profession. Unlike other societies or associations that represent lawyers, the CBA is broad-based with a primary mandate to advocate on behalf of lawyers. In this sense, the CBA is unique as a national voice for lawyers. CBA National is vigilant to ensure that the concerns of our profession are voiced, not only in Ottawa, but in each and every province. Through the CBA lawyers in B.C. have a national and international presence to advance the image and interests of lawyers.

Equally as important is the role CBABC fulfills for lawyers in this province. The Branch represents members from all areas of practice providing a focal point to advance the interests of members in issues as diverse as purported tort reform, legal aid cutbacks, the elimination of the right of lawyers to sell real estate or the discriminatory tax on legal fees. The Branch not only advocates for the profession but also serves as a watch-dog to raise the alarm to often subtle, and sometimes blatant, attacks on our profession and upon members of the judiciary. If the voice of the CBABC is weakened, the profession will lose an essential ally.

Education and Law Reform
The CBA is not just about advocacy. In B.C. each year thousands of lawyers join the 74 provincial Sections and the various national Sections to stay current in their areas of practice. These Sections help shape the evolution of the law by serving as a sounding board for proposed legislative change. Section involvement provides a forum for lawyers to socialize with practitioners in their own area of interest.

Services
Through legal conferences, forums, Section meetings, and educational and mentoring programs the CBA works to help members maintain a reasonable work and life balance.

The CBA provides members with access to life and disability insurance programs and RRSP plans at attractive rates. In this fashion the CBA helps members to achieve financial security.

Membership provides access to discounts from preferred suppliers of a myriad of products such as ski passes, theatre tickets, hotels, car rentals and legal office supplies. (See page 31)

Membership fees range from approximately $300 per year for junior members, to $500 for senior members. This is a modest price given the wide range of benefits available.

In conclusion, this is my last BarTalk article as President of the B.C. Branch. I want to thank my family, my Executive and the wonderful staff of the CBA who have made my past year as B.C. Branch President so enjoyable and rewarding.

This article was published in the August 2004 issue of BarTalk and is subject to the copyright by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, 2004, all rights reserved.