Recognizing excellence
Awards recognizing the outstanding contributions of CBA members and supporters will be presented at the CBA Canadian Legal Conference in Vancouver this August. The deadlines for many of these awards are imminent – visit the awards pages for more details:
• Edward K. Rowan-Legg Award
• Justicia Awards for Excellence in Journalism
• Jack Innes Achievement Award
• Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence
• Ramon John Hnatyshyn Award for Law
• Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award
Photo: Preston Parsons of Vancouver accepts the 2011 Edward K. Rowan-Legg Award from Lorna Rowan-Legg.
Anti-terrorism legislation duplicates existing laws
In a letter to the Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism, National Criminal Justice Section Chair Dan MacRury says that while the CBA is committed to a safe and secure Canada, it does not believe that Bill S-7 (Combatting Terrorism Act) would provide any new tools to combat terrorist offences. Instead it would duplicate existing laws that already deal with the threat of terrorist offences, and could violate basic rights and freedoms. The letter was sent to Senator Hugh Segal on May 11, 2012.
Letter (.pdf)
Photo: CBA National Criminal Justice Section Chair, Dan MacRury
National Issues. National Perspectives
The CBA Canadian Legal Conference and Marketplace (CLC) is the only national gathering of Canada's legal community. Lawyers, corporate counsel, judges, and students come together on this distinctive national stage to examine legal trends, network with their peers, renew their perspectives and, together, shape Canadian society.
From the latest developments governing the protection of workers in Canada, to the legal impacts on our nation 30 years after the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to the impact of social media in the courtroom, only the Canadian Legal Conference offers perspectives on national issues and their relevance to your jurisdiction.
Registration now open
National Magazine - April-May 2012
The hurting profession: Lawyers are stressed sick. They're succumbing to depression, addiction and burnout and many are afraid to admit they need help, often with tragic consequences. National examines what lies behind this endemic problem and how the profession is trying to help its own.
In the limelight again: Sylvain Lussier is already one of Quebec's best known litigators. He is now taking on a new high-profile mandate as head prosecutor of Quebec's Charbonneau Commission.
To conserve and protect: New tax rules take the financial sting out of land trust donations and add a new twist to real estate work.
Deadline for nominations to National Sections and Conferences is May 31
The CBA's 32 National Sections and 9 National Conferences rely on member volunteers to carry out their many projects and activities. Consider this your opportunity to get involved! To find out which National Sections and Conferences have positions open for 2012-2013, visit the call for nominations page.
Photo: Elaine Marchand (right), past Chair of the National Taxation Law Section, accepts the 2011 National Sections Council (NSC) Award of Excellence from Leila Gosselin, past Chair of NSC.
Recent CBA Media Releases (+) More
- Call for entries for 13th annual Justicia Awards
- CBA says Bill C-31 lacks fairness and should be withdrawn
- Law Day 5 KM Fun Run/Walk on April 27 supports "Lawyers Feed the Hungry" program in Ottawa
- Darren Vallentgoed of Halifax named winner of CBA 2012 Law School Essay Contest David Estrin Prize
- CBA favours retention of section 13 of Canadian Human Rights Act
- “Flash mob,” mock trial, career panel to commemorate 30th anniversary of Canadian Charter & Law Day, April 17, 2012
- Endorsement of in-house counsel as career path, viewing work as valued among findings of 2012 In-House Counsel Barometer Survey
Member Benefits: Working For You (+) More
Connect@Vancouver for a National Legal Experience
The Canadian Legal Conference (CLC) takes place in Vancouver Aug. 12-14. There are plenty of reasons to attend the only national gathering of Canada’s legal community – here are just a few:
•Take networking to a national level. Connect with 1,000+ legal professionals from across Canada at breakfasts, lunches, receptions, entertainment events, late night parties, and the ever-popular at-home dinners.
•Earn professional development credits. Some of Canada’s top legal minds are presenting at 15 PD programs and 12 corporate counsel workshops over a 2-day period.
•Have your voice heard by the federal Minister of Justice, Rob Nicholson. The federal Justice Minister will host his yearly dialogue, touching on current justice issues and allowing members to raise concerns and questions.
•Hear from thought-provoking speakers. Speakers include Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, Canadian diplomat and author Robert Fowler, and critically acclaimed science writer Jonah Lehrer.
•Enjoy top musical entertainment. Rock out with the legendary Randy Bachman of The Guess Who and BTO fame. Opening for Bachman will be this year’s winner of CBA-BC’s Battle of the Bar Bands fundraiser. [Sponsored by Stewart Title.]
Take advantage of early bird rates by registering before June 29 – visit www.cba.org/Vancouver2012 for all the details.
Legislation on concealment of identity unnecessary
In a May 7 letter to the standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights, National Criminal Justice Chair Dan MacRury, writing on behalf of the CBA, says that Bill C-309 (concealment of identity) is unnecessary. He argues that it will not allow for more effective law enforcement, will not enhance public safety and may serve to hinder the fundamental constitutional and democratic right of Canadians to protest and participate in lawful assemblies.
Marriage fraud regulations create unnecessary hardship
Immigration Law Section Chair Joshua Sohn says that regulations published by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on March 10, 2012, fall short of their objectives of determining marriage fraud and create unnecessary hardship for bone fide spouses who experience genuine marriage breakdown within two years of landing in Canada.
In his April 10 letter to CIC on behalf of the CBA, Joshua Sohn applauds the government’s creation of two exceptions:
• For victims of domestic violence and other spousal abuse.
• For couples who had children prior to filing the application to sponsor the permanent resident.
Protecting solicitor-client privilege
Ron Skolrood of Vancouver, a member of the CBA’s Working Group on Proceeds of Crime, recently appeared before the Senate Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce on April 4 to speak out on behalf of the CBA in defense of solicitor-client privilege during the Committee’s five year review of the Proceeds of Crime and Terrorist Financing Act.
Ron Skolrood explained that while the CBA supports the government’s attempts to combat money laundering, these efforts must not interfere with the public's right to consult a lawyer in confidence. Read the submission
Changes needed to Bill C-32 (Civil Marriage of Non-Residents Act)
In a letter dated March 22 to Justice Minister Rob Nicholson, Kelly Jordan, Chair of the National Family Law Section, along with Mark Berlin and Amy Sakalauskas, Co-Chairs of the Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference (SOGIC) said that Canada has an obligation to provide LGBT couples with the proper mechanism to end their marriages should their relationships break down.
Although supportive of the government's attempt to achieve this with Bill C-32, the CBA notes the Bill's goal should be to treat non-resident divorces as consistently as possible with other divorces granted in Canada under the Divorce Act.
CBA Skilled Lawyer Series II:
Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice
Take advantage of flexible programming:
- Select the full package of litigation or corporate courses, or pick and choose those most relevant to your practice.
- Watch the online sessions at your desk or purchase boardroom access to watch with colleagues.
- Choose the interactivity of a live presentation, or the flexible timing of a recorded session.
Start now by viewing either Corporate or Litigation programming.
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