Press Releases & Statements

John Stefaniuk, K.C. of Winnipeg begins his year-long tenure as the 95^th President of the Canadian Bar Association today, taking the helm of the 127-year-old Association of more than 38,000 lawyers, notaries, law professors and law students across Canada. He succeeds Steeves Bujold of Montreal. Lynne M. J. Vicars of Toronto begins her term as Vice-President.

Today marks my last day as CBA President, and I want to reemphasize the importance of the work we all need to do to continue reinforcing the confidence of the public in the independence of our justice system.

This week marks the last week of my term as CBA President. As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, one of my priorities was to address the inequalities and discrimination experienced by members of my community, and more specifically by trans, non-binary and gender diverse people in Canada.

The Canadian Bar Association welcomes the announcement that its nominee, Bianca Kratt, K.C., has been appointed to the Independent Advisory Board for Supreme Court of Canada Judicial Appointments.

The Canadian Bar Association is concerned about the recent changes to the judicial system in Israel.

Today marks Emancipation Day in Canada. On this date 189 years ago, the Slavery Abolition Act, an Act of British Parliament, came into effect officially abolishing slavery in most of the British Empire, including what is now Canada.

The Canadian Bar Association welcomes the appointment of The Honourable Arif Virani as Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Each year, the Canadian Bar Association honours members of the legal profession whose contributions to the Association, the legal profession and the justice system sets them apart as deserving of special recognition.

The CBA is concerned by recent changes to Policy 713 in New Brunswick, a policy meant to ensure schools create inclusive, gender-affirming safe spaces for 2SLGBTQ+ students.

The Canadian Bar Association is saddened by the passing of the Honourable Louis LeBel on June 8, 2023.