Manitoba Bar Association

Save the Date

The Legal Community of Manitoba will be organizing a Gala Dinner in Honour of the Retirement of Chief Justice Scott to be held at the Winnipeg Convention Centre on Saturday, February 9, 2013 in conjunction with an education program to be held on Friday, February 8, 2013. Further details to follow.

30th Anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms

To recognize the 30th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Manitoba Bar Association (MBA) organized a flash mob on Law Day - Tuesday, April 17, 2012.

“We have decided to do a dance flash mob to celebrate and bring awareness of this special anniversary of the Charter in a fun and contemporary way,” says Josh Weinstein, President of the MBA.

The flash mob took place at Winnipeg Square at 12:00 noon on April 17, 2012. A custom, danceable version of Canada’s national anthem was commissioned for the event.

“Local lawyers and legal professionals lead the flash mob and the public is invited to join in the fun. Wristbands commemorating the Charter anniversary were handed out to the public,” adds Josh Weinstein.

Watch the flash mob here.

The MBA also held an open house at the Winnipeg Law Courts on Sunday, April 15, 2012. Approximately 1,200 members of the public attended the open house and participated in the activities that included, a Citizenship Swearing In Ceremony, mock trails performed by elementary and senior high students, debates presented by senior high school students, guided tours of the Law Courts and legal information sessions. This event would not have been possible without the financial support from Winnipeg law firms and Manitoba Justice and the many volunteer lawyers and judges.

MBA TOWN HALL MEETINGS ON ACCESS TO JUSTICE ISSUES
The MBA Town Hall meetings brought together members of the public and the legal community to identify challenges in the justice system and offer solutions on how best to resolve them. If members of the public, the legal community and justice system workers were not able to attend one of the meetings, they were invited to send in their feedback in writing.

Participants were asked to consider the following questions:

• What is needed to ensure fair and timely access to the justice/legal system for all Manitobans?
• What improvements or changes should be made to our justice system, locally and province-wide?
• Does our community have adequate resources to meet the needs of our citizens?

The report and summary of the themes and issues that were identified by those Manitobans who took the time to make in-person comments or written submissions is now available. Click here for the report.