As your Chair, it is my utmost privilege to extend my warmest New Year greetings to my esteemed colleagues and members of this Section throughout Canada. This past year, our members have made significant progress in advancing legal frameworks, supporting public interests, and enhancing professional standards. As we embark on another year, let us take a moment to appreciate the friendships and connections we have forged.
On January 24, 2024, we kicked off the first of this year’s Brown Bag presentations focussing on international career options. This well-attended event attracted a diverse group of public sector lawyers eager to explore and understand the landscape of global career opportunities.
On February 28, 2024 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm (ET), we will present “The Hidden Side of Artificial Intelligence: What Public Sector Lawyers Need to Know”. This timely and informative session will delve into the dynamic interplay between cutting-edge technology and legal practice, addressing the ethical challenges posed by artificial intelligence in the public sector. This session caters to the evolving needs of public sector lawyers in the digital age.
Following this, our next Brown Bag on March 26, 2024 from 12:30 pm to 1:30 pm (ET) entitled “Empowering Public Sector Lawyers: Understanding Climate Change Litigation” will explore legal trends in climate change litigation both globally and within Canada, with a special focus on key Canadian cases which examine the intersection of climate change and Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In an era marked by unprecedented environmental challenges, the role of public sector lawyers is increasingly critical in guiding our communities and influencing Charter jurisprudence. Distinguished practitioners and academic commentators will provide a balanced and nuanced perspective on the vital issues that emerge as this litigation advances through the courts. This session is invaluable to public service employees engaged in litigation or advisory roles.
Registration information for these Brown Bag events is provided below. Details on upcoming Brown Bag presentations will be shared in next month’s email update. Wishing you all a prosperous and fulfilling 2024!
THE HIDDEN SIDE OF AI: WHAT PUBLIC SECTOR LAWYERS NEED TO KNOW – FEBRUARY 28, 2024
Governments at all levels are increasingly using or regulating artificial intelligence (AI) systems which impact and affect the rights and interests of citizens, particularly with the rise of generative AI.
This panel discussion will explore key legal and ethical issues of AI for public sector lawyers, including privacy, intellectual property, bias, accountability, transparency, and public interest. It will also highlight recent developments and challenges in the Canadian and global AI lawmaking landscape, and their implications for public sector entities.
The panel will draw on the expertise and insights of lawyers who have experience advising on AI matters in the public sector, as well as the perspectives of AI researchers and practitioners who can explain how AI works and what it can and cannot do.
This presentation is free for CBA members.
REGISTER NOW →
EMPOWERING PUBLIC SECTOR LAWYERS: UNDERSTANDING CLIMATE CHANGE LITIGATION – MARCH 26, 2024
In an era defined by unprecedented environmental challenges, public sector lawyers play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our communities and Charter jurisprudence. Now, more than ever, understanding climate change litigation is not just a choice, but an imperative for those dedicated to public service.
This session will focus on both the global and national trends of climate change litigation, with a special emphasis on the landmark Canadian cases that examine the intersection of climate change and Section 7 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Climate change Charter litigation is a rapidly evolving area of the law which has the potential to upend the jurisprudential trajectory of Section 7 of the Charter.
Distinguished thought leaders in the field, practitioners, as well as academic commentators will provide a well balanced and nuanced look at some of the most pressing issues at stake as this litigation makes its way through the courts. This session will be of interest to anyone who works for the public service, in either a litigation or advisory capacity.
This presentation is free for CBA members.
REGISTER NOW →
PROMOTE OUR ESSAY CONTEST!
Promote “In the Public Interest” Student Essay Contest. Students can win $500 for the best paper written about the contribution of public sector lawyers or an important development in the law affecting public sector lawyers in Canada.
The submission deadline for this year’s contest is May 2, 2024. Details on the contest criteria and eligibility are available.
JOIN OUR LINKEDIN GROUP!
The Section has a LinkedIn group! Please join us and share information.
Thank you,
Karen F. W. Liang, Chair, 2023-2024, CBA Public Sector Lawyers Section