Standing Committee on Equity

What's New Equity and Diversity Guide and Resource Manual Prepared by the Canadian Bar Association’s Standing Committee on Equity, this resource was developed to assist efforts to promote equity and diversity within the legal profession. The Guide and Resource Manual can be used to: Take leadership on and communicate about equity and diversity strategies as part of core business practices, Develop implementation plans to enhance representation in all workplace activities, and Measure growth over time and benchmark accomplishments. Also part of the Equity and Diversity Guide and Resource Manual is the video “It’s About Respect”. The video series presents three very short stories to open a discussion about the biases and prejudices that may be present in law firm situations.  By exploring assumptions and increasing self-awareness, lawyers will be able to recognize ways in which they can contribute to a discrimination-free workplace.  You can access the Facilitator’s Guide here and also see all the videos online: Introduction – The Hon. Claire L’Heureux-Dubé Gender – Selection of the Best Candidate Disability – Duty to Accommodate Race – Invisible Barriers in Law Firms

The CBA established the Standing Committee on Equity following Council's approval of the recommendations emanating from the 1993 Task Force on Gender Equality report, Touchstones for Change: Equality, Diversity and Accountability.

The Standing Committee on Equity

• promotes awareness of equity issues in the legal profession;
• provides the means to eliminate discrimination;
• develops resources to assist the legal profession in achieving equity;
• monitors, on a national basis, the status of equity issues in the legal profession; and
• oversees the implementation of the various equity-seeking resolutions adopted by CBA Council.

Resolutions >
Report from the Chair >
Standing Committee Members >
Branch Representatives >

Equity-at-a-Glance
Equity is an integral part of the CBA's mission and mandate, and the Association ensures that focal points exist within the organization to address these issues in the short- and long-term. More >

 

Publications & Resources Touchstones Newsletter In the February 2008 issue: the Equity and Diversity Guide and Resource Manual is finalized and now available to members, welcome to new members of SCE, the duty to accomodate, and more. More Touchstones > Racial Equality in the Canadian Legal Profession (.pdf, February 1999) Presented to CBA Council by the Working Group on Racial Equality in the Legal Profession. UN Special Rapporteur on Racism (September 2003) The CBA's submission delivered by David Matas. More Publications >   Issues & Projects The CBA is constantly working on an always expanding number of issues and projects related to equity. Here are some of our latest initiatives: Racial Equality Law School Tuition Fees More Issues & Projects > Awards Touchstone Award Celebrates the accomplishments of an individual or organization who has excelled in promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, or the legal community in Canada.  More > More awards:   SOGIC Ally and Hero Awards CBA BC Branch Equity and Diversity Award Other Awards/Recognition

What's New February 2008 issue of Touchstones now online. Report from the Chair added. Contacts For more information on the Standing Committee on Equity, contact:    Marie-Claude Noël Project Officer Canadian Bar Association 865 Carling Avenue, Suite 500 Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Tel. : 1-800-267-8860 / (613) 237-2925, ext. 160 E-mail : marieclauden@cba.org Standing Committee > Branch Representatives >