Conversations with the President

Entretien du président de l’Association du Barreau canadien, Steeves Bujold, avec l’honorable Michelle O’Bonsawin de la Cour Suprême du Canada pour marquer le Mois national de l’histoire autochtone au Canada.Leur conversation couvre les étapes de la carrière de la juge O’Bonsawin et ses premiers huit mois à la Cour suprême, son rôle comme modèle et source d’inspiration pour la jeune génération de juristes au pays, l’importance de la diversité à la magistrature, l’étude de la Professeure Cadieux de l’Université de Sherbrooke sur le bien-être au sein de la profession juridique, le mentorat, et les différences entre les formules de politesse utilisées en Ontario francophone, en Gaspésie, au Nouveau-Brunswick et au Québec.The Canadian Bar Association : Courting Confidence: Preserving Trust in Judicial Independence (cbapd.org)Canadian Bar Association - The first comprehensive national study on wellness in the legal profession is published (cba.org)

Martin Blais est sexologue et sociologue, professeur titulaire au département de sexologie de l’Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) et titulaire de la Chaire de recherche sur la diversité sexuelle et la pluralité des genres. Il est aussi chercheur régulier au Centre de recherche interdisciplinaire sur les problèmes conjugaux et l’agression sexuelle (CRIPCAS).Il s’intéresse au bien-être et à la santé des personnes LGBTQ+ et cherche à identifier les facteurs qui les aident à s’épanouir, à développer une image positive d’elles-mêmes ainsi que leur pouvoir d’agir, comme l’estime de soi, l’authenticité, la résilience et le soutien social. Ils discutent de l’homophobie et de la transphobie et du rôle qu’a joué la loi dans leur émergence.  

Marie Laure Leclercq a fait des études en génie, en droit et en administration des affaires et travaille depuis 1996 pour le cabinet De Granpré Chait. Depuis sa transition de personne trans en 2000, elle s’implique bénévolement pour l’avancement des droits de la personne, notamment au sein de la communauté 2ELGBTQ+. Elle a prononcé plusieurs conférences sur la diversité au travail auprès de cabinets privés et de facultés de droit ainsi que dans des évènements internationaux tel que le Global Workplace Summit à Londres en 2012. Mme Leclercq a également été nommée Gouverneure de la Fondation Émergence en 2017.

CBA President Steeves Bujold in conversation with the first transgender person ever appointed a judge in Canada, Judge Kael McKenzie of the Provincial Court of Manitoba. A 2006 graduate of the University of Manitoba, Judge McKenzie has worked as a lawyer, both in private practice with the Winnipeg firm of Chapman Goddard Kagan and as a Crown prosecutor in family, commercial and civil law. He co-chaired the Canadian Bar Association's Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Conference from 2012 to 2014, and has served as vice president of the Manitoba Bar Association, as Manitoba chair of the Canadian Bar Association, and president of the provincial Rainbow Resource Centre for Manitoba's LGBT and two-spirit communities. He served for several years in the Canadian Forces before attending law school. Outside of his legal work, he has also been a volunteer for the Winnipeg Folk Festival, the Historical Museum of St. James-Assiniboia (stjamesmuseum.com) and the North American Indigenous Games. He is a member of the Manitoba Métis Nation.Links:CBA Access to Justice for Trans PeopleSea Cadets - Canada.caDownload the Surveys - Trans PULSE Canadapractice_direction_-_may_27_2021_english-1.pdf (manitobacourts.mb.ca)TRANSforming JUSTICE – Trans Legal Needs Assessment Ontario Project | HALCOThe Daily — Canada is the first country to provide census data on transgender and non-binary people (statcan.gc.ca)Gender Inclusivity in the Courts: How to Treat Everyone with Fairness, Dignity, and Impartiality - Access & Fairness - National Center for State Courts (oclc.org) 

Le président de l’Association du Barreau canadien, Steeves Bujold, reçoit Me Clément Gascon, juge de la Cour suprême du Canada de 2014 à 2019, avocat émérite 2022 du Barreau du Québec et gagnant du prix du Président décerné en 2022 par Me Stephen Rothstein de l’Association du Barreau canadien pour souligner ses efforts envers la déstigmatisation de la santé psychologique dans la profession juridique au Canada. Ils discutent du rapport conjoint de l’ABC et de la Fédération des ordres professionnels de juristes du Canada sur les déterminants psychologiques de la santé psychologique des professionnels du droit, l’impact de la pandémie sur la profession et l’importance de maintenir l’indépendance de la magistrature.FR_Rapport préliminaire_Cadieux et al_Université de Sherbrooke.pdf (flsc.ca)

LGBTQ2S+ rights and the Charter. barbara and Steeves discuss the past, future and current state of LGBTQ2S+ rights and experiences in Canada. Their discussion covers Rape Relief v. Kimberly Nixon, Egan v. Canada, SOGIC's beginnings, the Charter & the notwithstanding clause, coming out, keeping fit, and ally-ship. "Be all of who you are."-barbara findlayhttp://cba.org/CBAMediaLibrary/cba_na/images/Equal%20Justice%20-%20Microsite/PDFs/CBA_AccesstoJusticeforTransPeople.pdfhttps://nationalmagazine.ca/en-ca/articles/people/profiles/2022/doing-the-right-thingCanadian Bar Association - Louis St-Laurent Award of Excellence (cba.org)barbara findlay Q.C. - HomeCanadian Bar Association - Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community (cba.org)Canadian Bar Association - The first comprehensive national study on wellness in the legal profession is published (cba.org)

Marking Access to Justice Week and LGBTQ History Month in Canada with the launch of a new season of Conversations with the President. In his first episode, CBA President Steeves Bujold welcomes Mx Lee Nevens to talk about ways to improve access to justice and reality, quite simply, for trans and non-binary people in Canada. http://cba.org/CBAMediaLibrary/cba_na/images/Equal%20Justice%20-%20Microsite/PDFs/CBA_AccesstoJusticeforTransPeople.pdfCanadian Bar Association - The first comprehensive national study on wellness in the legal profession is published (cba.org)https://flsc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/EN_Preliminary-report_Cadieux-et-al_Universite-de-Sherbrooke_FINAL.pdf 

Justice Mahmud Jamal of the Supreme Court of Canada in conversation with CBA President Stephen Rotstein. Links:Spider Woman by Lady Hale | Penguin Random House CanadaOntario Chief Justice says ideal of the ‘gladiator’ courtroom lawyer destructive to mental health - The Globe and Mail

Here’s CBA President Stephen Rotstein in Conversation with Marc-André Blanchard. They touch on a variety of topics including Me Blanchard's multifaceted career, Environmental & Social Governance and Sustainability, as well as the impact the Pandemic has had, and is having on the legal profession. Marc-André Blanchard is that rare believer in opportunities and brings an inspiring global perspective to whatever project he participates in. Marc-André is executive Vice-President and Head of CDPQ Global and Global Head of Sustainability, he coordinates CDPQ’s international operations and oversees CDPQ’s international offices. Before joining CDPQ in September 2020, he was Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations in New York from 2016 to2020. From 2017 to 2020, he also sat on Canada’s North American Free Trade Agreement Council. Prior to that, he was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of McCarthy-Tétrault, one of Canada’s leading law firms.Throughout his career, Marc-André Blanchard has always been a champion for positive, thoughtful change. At his firm McCarthy Tetrault it was gender equality, at the United Nations it was about removing silos and improving interdepartmental communication and co-operation. In his current role at CDPQ he is revolutionizing the way we think about government and private industry co-operation and showing that what was once unthinkable is now doable.Above all he is a person dedicated to Effecting Positive Change for ALL in the 21st Century.  

Geordie Hungerford is a Gwich’in of the Northwest Territories and Yukon and has quite possibly the most diverse professional background of any of the guests so far in Stephen Rotstein's Conversations with the President podcast series.Geordie holds an MBA and an MA (East Asian Studies/Chinese) from Stanford University, an LLB from UBC, and an electrical and computer engineering degree from Queen’s University. He a CFA Charterholder, CAIA Charterholder and an Action Canada Fellow. He is a member of CFA Canada’s Canadian Advisory Committee for investment policy and a member of the Independent Review Committee on Standard Setting in Canada, which is reviewing audit and sustainable standards governance and oversight for Canada.Indigenous Economic ReconciliationAs CEO of the First Nations Financial Management Board, Geordie Hungerford is in a unique position to know what’s needed for corporate Canada to make a real contribution to economic reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. 

How to put the volunteer into your career. CBA President Stephen Rotstein welcomes Caitlin Urquhart, dedicated Newfoundland & Labrador community builder and ecology advocate. Caitlin is this year’s recipient of the Douglas Miller Rising Star Award. The Douglas Miller Rising Star Award recognizes an early career lawyer who is a CBA member in good standing and who exhibits professional excellence; service to the profession; and outstanding dedication and team spirit in his or her ongoing involvement with the CBA. This award is intended to provide early recognition of developing talent, honouring members who already demonstrate characteristics of leadership to the profession.In addition to her legal practice in St. John’s, Caitlin is an active member of the CBA. She also volunteers with Access to Justice Legal Clinics and is the chair of the board of directors of the St. John’s Status of Women Council. She recently stepped away from her role as staff lawyer with Ecojustice, Canada’s largest environmental law charity, to take on the position of junior commission counsel for the Inquiry into the Treatment, Experiences and Outcomes of Innu in the Child Protection System. Next on Urquhart’s list is a  National Strategy to Redress Environmental Racism Act, introduced by MP Lenore Zann in June 2021 to require examination of the link between race, socio-economic status and environmental risk. After the bill died on the floor of the House due to the dissolution of Parliament in the Fall of 2021, the bill was recently re-introduced as a private members bill (C-226). Urquhart is part of the movement calling for all members of parliament to support its expedited passage..

Conversations with the President Mental Health Week Special: During his tenure, Stephen has made community building, volunteerism and mental health his top priorities. This episode of CWP brings inspiring insights on all three but particularly mental health. Taken from Stephen Rotstein’s conversations with Justice Michele Hollins, Kendra Goertzen and Caitlin Urquhart.Managing mental health in general, within the legal profession and within the broader community. Overcoming depression and addiction and excelling professionally. Everybody’s good at going to the gym but that isn’t enough recharge your battery on an emotional level.

Stephen Rotstein speaks to CBA Pro Bono Initiatives Coordinator Bjorna Shkurti about how CBA Lawyers are helping refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan and about her own remarkable journey from war-torn Albania to the Alberta Bar. Their discussion touches on Immigration law and volunteerism and how lawyers often end up helping simply by lending an ear.

CBA President, Stephen Rotstein, has a heartfelt conversation with Kendra Goertzen, the inaugural recipient of the Grant Davis Collegiality and Wellbeing Award, granted by the Manitoba branch of the CBA.Kendra Goertzen is a Manitoba lawyer who practices in the area of family law and child protection in Winnipeg. Kendra's mission is to eliminate the stigma associated with addictions. She herself is in recovery and is very open about her own past struggles with sobriety.To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts.

CBA President, Stephen Rotstein, meets with Tom Ullyett, chair of the Employment Standards Board, a member of the Yukon University’s Board of Governors and co-chair of the Yukon branch Public Sector’s Lawyer’s section. He’s recognized for being a community builder who’s helped support a generation of Yukon public sector lawyers.He’s been an active CBA member at the branch and national level for over 30 years. Last year the CBA awarded him with the Louis Saint-Laurent Award for Excellence, the highest award conferred to a CBA member in recognition of a lifetime of outstanding service of professional achievement to the benefit of the legal profession, the CBA and society at large.To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts.

CBA President, Stephen Rotstein, speaks with former CBA President Madam Justice Michele Hollins about her battle with depression. Having  grown  up  in Saskatchewan,  Michele  graduated  with her  B.Sc. from  Texas  Christian  University  in Fort  Worth, Texas  in 1987.   She  returned  to  Saskatchewan  and  obtained her  LL.B.  from  the University  of  Saskatchewan, College  of Law  in  1992.  Michele  is  an  ardent  volunteer, particularly  within  the  legal community.   She  has  been  heavily  involved in  the  Canadian  Bar  Association  since  her  articling  days, including  serving  as  the  CBA  Alberta  Branch President  in  2007.  She became CBA's National President in 2014-2015. She was appointed at the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta in 2017.To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts.  

CBA President, Stephen Rotstein speaks with James Bunting, founding partner of Tyr LLP. They talk about his atypical career path, his work in gender equity and sports regulations, and his various volunteer roles. James has acted for athletes, coaches and agents in a variety of different matters, including contractual claims, doping infractions, carding disputes, gender equity complaints, team selection appeals and disciplinary appeals. He is ranked in The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a repeatedly recommended practitioner in Corporate Commercial Litigation and Securities Litigation. He earned a BA from the University of Western Ontario in 1999 and an LLB from the same university in 2002. To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts.Check out Policy Options Podcast 

CBA President, Stephen Rotstein, hosts his first episode with guest Wei William Tao. They talk about volunteering, his community involvement and his work in the immigration law area.My guest today is Wei William Tao, Canadian Immigration and Refugee Lawyer in Vancouver. Will co-founded Heron Law Offices in 2021 and provides legal services in all areas of Canadian immigration and refugee law, with a particular focus on complex refusals, appeals, judicial reviews of international student, family class, and foreign worker-related applications. He won the CBA Immigration Section Founders’ Award in 2020, and won the CBA Immigration’s Volunteer Recognition Award for his work with the Section’s Anti-Racism Committee in 2021. He has been Best Lawyers-listed since 2017. And he’s still early in his career, having been called to the Bar in 2015. To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] subscribe, rate and review our podcast if you are enjoying it on Apple Podcasts.Subscribe to the other CBA Podcasts: Conversations with the President, Modern Law - Droit Moderne and Juriste branché (French podcast)

Stephen Rotstein, CBA President for the year 2021-2022, meets with The Every Lawyer host Marlisse Silver-Sweeney. They discuss his priority for the year and his upcoming podcast Conversations with the President. They talk mental health, community involvement,  and more.The first episode of Stephen's series Strengthening our Community will be released on November 18, 2021. Stay tuned!To contact us (please include in the subject line ''Podcast''): [email protected] to the other CBA Podcasts: The Every Lawyer, Modern Law - Droit Moderne and Juriste branché .