President's
Messa~e
Lawyers must be working part of multi-cultural society NEWSLETTER OF TH E CANADIAN BAR ASSOCIATION , B.C. BRAN CH
OCTOBER 1994
VOLUME 6 NUMBER 6
Who can't see the changing face of our population? How this change will affect us in the practising Bar will depend tremendously on our own attitudes. Last year's total immigration to Canada was recorded at 254,670 of which about 45,000 came to British Columbia. About 70% ofthose immigrants were of Asian origin. Today more than half of the kids in the lower Mainland come from homes where English is the second language. It is predicted that by 2001, forty-five per cent of people in the Lower Mainland will be visible minorities, SO% if you include our aboriginal people.
President's Message .......... 1 Registry Q&A ...................... 2
The pressure to maintain current immigration levels with a high majority from non-white countries won't likely diminish in the foreseeable future. We live in one of those continual stages of history where, forced by circumstances, masses of people are on the move. Current estimates put the numbers at around 80 million worldwide. And this is in the context of a world population that is increasing every year now by 90 million. We see almost none of it: 95% of it is in developing countries. We have come from a world population of 2.5 billion 50 years ago to 5.5 billion now, of which one-quarter live in the industrialized world. By 2025, the total will be 8.5 billion, and by 2050, 10 billion, with more than 80% living in developing countries. For the younger poor world, there will be more and greater struggles for survival. With increasing awareness through TV
Award presented ................ 4 SectionTalk ......................... 5 Practice notes: salary ........ 7 Seaton scholarship ............ 8 Legislative Update ......... 9/12 25th Anniverary ................ 13 Golf Tourney recap ..... 14/15 ....
Eric Rice, Q.C. CBA (B.C. Branch) Pr路esident 1994/95
they will view us, the old rich neighbours, with envy, and the pressure for us to share more and to allow more immigration will intensify. To react to these prospects out of fear is understandable. We already see signs of racial tension in our communities that didn't seem to be there before. Please turn to page 3
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Your Registry Questions Answered Rule41
Q: If Bonds are presented pursuant to an Order of the Court by a Bonding Company not listed as one accepted by the government, where is our authority to reject it? A: Bonds are submitted pursuant to orders allowing them in a form "satisfactory to the registrar". We have been given guidelines by the Federal and Provincial Government which [registrars] should properly follow. Rule 58
Q: If counsel insist interest should be payable on monies in court but the registry's position is the money falls under rule 58 (1) (a), (b), (c) or(d) what is counsel's recourse? A: Counsel would have to make an application to the Court by way of Notice of Motion requesting a declaration the monies come within the definition of "funds" in Rule 58. Supreme CourtAct SectionS Rule 44(15)
Q: Could a Notice of Motion filed in Prince George name the Smithers Registry as the place of hearing?
A: Yes, they are within the same Judicial District Pursuant to Rule 44(15): "Where there is more than one place within the judicial district referred to in subrule (14) at which the court normally sits, the applicant may name, as the place for hearing, any of those places, but where the applicant names a place other than the place at which the proceedings was commenced, the court may, where the court considers that it was unreasonable to have made the motion returnable at that other place, a) order that the application be heard at some other place, b) dismiss the application, or c) hear the application and may, in any event, make a special order as to costs. Judicial districts are described in Section 8 of the
Supreme Court Act. Section 16(2) atJd (3) Family Relatiotzs Act
Q: How is an Appeal filed from a decision of the Provincial Court under the Family Relations Act?
A: Sections 16(2) and (3) of the Family Relations Act have been repealed and the following substituted: "(2) A party may appeal to the Supreme Court from an order of the Provincial Court made under this Act, except an interim order, (3) The time limit for bringing an appeal under subsection (2) is 40 days, beginning on the day after
by JoantJePawer, Manager, Registrar Programs
the order of the Provincial Court is made. (4)
An appeal is brought by doing the following:
a)
filing a notice of appeal in a registry of the Supreme Court;
b)
serving a copy of the notice of appeal on the parties to the proceeding in which the order of the Provincial Court was made, unless a judge of the Supreme Court orders otherwise,
c)
filing a copy of the notice of appeal in the registry of the Provincial Court at the location where the order was made;
(5) The Rules of Court apply to an appeal under subsection (2) to the extent that they are consistent with this section. (6) After hearing the appeal, the Supreme court may do one or more of the following: (a) confirm the order of the Provincial Court; (b) set aside the order of the Provincial Court (c) make any order that the Provincial Court could have made; (d) direct the Provincial Court to conduct a new hearing. (7) On application, the Supreme court may extend the time limit for bringing an appeal. The Supreme Court Rules now apply and Rule 49(1) applies to these appeals. The form is provided to [Registrars] in the Precedent Manual under Tab 16. The party must apply for directions prior to proceeding with the Appeal. These are placed on the chambers list for the court to determine the conduct of the appeal. A hearing date can then be obtained from the trial division. . AppendixC, Schedule1, Item12
Q: When an application for probate is made and the value of the assets or the asset itself is disclosed at a later date, is the rate charged under Appendix C, Schedule 1, Item 12 the rate in effect at the time the grant is applied for or the rate in effect at the time the value is disclosed?
A: This was the subject of a decision of The Honourable Mr. Justice Warren in Re: The Estate of Henry released March 25, 1994. Warren J. found at page 6 that the fee is payable in the amount set by order in council at the time the grant is issued. This applies to assets that were disclosed but not valued as well as assets that were disclosed after the grant was issued. If you have any itJteresting or unusual questions, please write directly to Joanne Power, Manager, Registrar Programs, Law Courts, 850 Burdett Ave., Victoria V6W 1B5
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President's Message (continued from page 1) We witness sudden and shocking breakdowns in civilize.d society elsewhere due to racial and cultural differences. With the separatist government in Quebec we may wonder what point there has been to the laborious efforts at bilingualism and biculturalism over the past century.
Eric Wong of the Hastings Institute gave an informative presentation on multi-culturalism at the Provincial Council Meeting on June 24, 1994. He began the session with a "multi-cultural bingo card" which contained anumberof"trickquestions" for those raised and educated in one of the mainstream cultures. The point of his address was to cause lawyers to reflect on our own profession and the need for it to be reflective of the population that we serve. As the consumers of our services become increasing! ymulti-cul tural, it is important that our profession become more multi-cui tural and that we as individuals learn to understand and appreciate cultures other than the western European culture which has dominated in our province to this point. As consumers of our services, itisimportant to all cultures that their norms, traditions, and customs will be understood. Further, when people look at lawyers and do not see themselves reflected, there are no role models to act as an incentive to encourage them to join our profession. They want to know that their experience is understood by our profession. Another part of Mr. Wong's discussion focused on the norms in present day Canadian society which may be based on a particular culture which is foreign to many other cultures. For example, one of the questions on the multi-cultural bingo form was "When do you celebrate New Year?" In effect~ su~ holidays are important because the histone holidays in western European tradition had become legitimized to the point that they are made statutory holidays, for example, January 1 of each year. The CBA (B.C. Branch) Multi-cultural Committeeisactiveunderchair Unda Loo of Singleton, Urquhart, Macdonald. Questions or comments regarding the committee's programs and activities can be directed to Unda Loo at her firm address or by calling her at 682-7474. c
At the CBA Convention in Toronto last August, those attending were treated to an outstandi.!!g presentation by author and lecturer, Michael Ignatieff. He spoke of his experiences in Yugoslavia with insights applicable to Canada. Joining a group of Serbs in a hiding place as they fired at opposing Croatian gunmen, he asked one of the Serbs to explain his feeling of hatred. The answer was "They smoke different cigarettes than we do", and then later "They think they're better than us." In fact there was little to distinguish the backgrounds and lifestyles of the combatants. They actually knew each other and had worked together and liked each other before. In Ignatieff's view, the ethnic differences were much less to blame for the ruinous strife than political and economic factors which had created a vacuum with the death of Tito and the fall of communism. Both sides had ceased to feel that they had anyone they could trust except their own. The lesson for Canadians, Ignatieff said, was that although the ethnic differences can easily get out of hand, they can be overcome by fostering and preserving common institutions in which everyone has a stake and which make it worth it for each individual to remain a good citizen. He stressed the importance of the legal system pointing out that we will have something to work with as long as "we continue to have police we can trust, judges we can trust, and lawyers that we can more or less trust."
If Mr. Ignatieff is right, then
there may be hope given our collective knowledge and experience with the legal system, and given a commitment to make it a working part of a multicultural society. To prepare for this, the first task is to learn more of the facts about our visible minorities and the state of their relations with our legal institutions. It takes no more than a glance to see that they are under-represented as lawyers relative to their numbers. From a number of studies we know them to be much under-serviced by lawyers (and most other social and professional providers too), despite the fact that they certainly need our help. The research report of Richard Nann and Michael Goldberg into "Legal Problems of Multicultural Communities in Greater Vancouver (1993)" disclosed that fully 75.6% of people surveyed from the multicultural communities had problems with one or more legal aspects. Earlier in 1992, Professor Gerry Ferguson reported to the Law Society on Multicultural Issues in the Legal Profession, citing numerous issues and numerous other reports revealing inequities imposed upon visible minorities by the legal system. In British Columbia both the CBA and the Law Society have taken an active approach, primarily by setting up committees to promote multiculturalism. Our CBA Multicultural Committee under its new Chair Linda Loo is planning several specific initiatives to provide our members with information and to raise consciousness of these issues in ways that are relevant to individual law practices. A specialist in cross-cultural training from the Hastings Institute, Eric Wong, has given advice to the Committee on questions for a survey of the profession. Mr. Wong also spoke to Provincial Council last
Please turn to page 4
4
President's message
Berge and Scam bier receive award
(continued from page 3) June and in an entertaining way showed the considerable ignorance of the audience in regard to minorities.
Our National CBA office, following upon the Wilson Report on gender equality is planning an enquiry into racism in the legal profession. I have expressed some reservations about their approach and timing. We must necessarily deal with our own prejudices as part of the task of building a healthy multicultural society. However, I worry that the catch word "racism" may be too narrow and too negative. We worked ourselves over rather effectively on gender and race issues at the National Council debates on the Wilson Report. We want our members to want to join in the process of this enquiry and it seems to me that more would do so with a program focused on the people we serve rather than ourselves, on solutions rather than blame. Moreover, since the ethnic mix varies quite a bit from province to province, a grand national undertaking would likely be less effective than projects at the branch levels. By whatever means, I hope we may all seek to discover more about our multicultural reality, and be enriched by it. In the midst of our growing diversity, we still live in a very peaceful, prosperous country, as visitors often remark. The strength of our legal system and our role in it surely has something to do with that. As lawyers, every day we deal with peoples' problems so that they may be and feel secure. If we can embrace the needs of the whole multicultural community too, we will be doing our part to preserve. that peace and prosperity. For every new Canadian that we serve well, there will be a reason for hope. Eric Rice, Q.C., President 94/95
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1993/94 Branch President Parker MacCarthy (right) presents the President's Medal to Kathryn Berge and Paul Scarnbler at the Annual Meeting on September 23, 1994. As Co-Chairs of the B.C. Branch Gender Equality Implementation Committee, both Paul and Kathryn exemplify the volunteer commitment B.C. Branch members provide to further the mandate of the CBA (B.C. Branch) to serve our members to advance the interests of the profession.
1993/94 Branch year ends with modest surplus The 1993/94 Annual Report is enclosed with this mailing of BarTalk. Please note on page 5 the Reserves reads as $370,386 but should read $320,386 as noted in the appended financial statements.
Tom Heintzman, Q.C., President of the National Canadian Bar Association, attended the September 24, 1994 Provincial Council Meeting. He provided comments on the study on racism and the systems ofjustice projects that will be undertaken by the National CBA this year.
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(Photo above) Sandra Schulz, Q.C., President of the Alberta Branch, attended the B.C. Branch Annual Meeting and Provincial Council Meeting. (Photo right) Ronald Gould, President of the Washington State Bar, brought greetings from lawyers in Washington State. At the Provincial Council meeting he remarked on the initiative launched by Past President MacCarthy last year to strengthen ties between the two associations and his commitment to continuing this initiative in the future.
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decisions were significant in recognizing aboriginal rights of self-government or jurisdiction.
Shelley Bentley
Recent aboriginal selfgovernment cases reviewed Peter Grant clarified the current state of the law on aboriginal self-government at a recent meeting of the Native Justice Section. He began by noting how the concept of aboriginal self-government was considered absurd a decade ago both by the courts and the non-aboriginal governments. But now we have the recognition by the Minister and the Indian and Northern Affairs that the aboriginal right to self-government is already recognized in theCanadian Constitution, and the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Affairs has published a paper on how Aboriginal rights of self-government have never been extinguished. In B.C. it has been recognized that selfgovernment must be negotiated as part of the treaty process. According to Mr. Grant the starting point for a judicial recognition of the aboriginal right of self-government lies in the marshall decisions made in the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1820s. In the Worcester v. Georgia, ChiefJustice Marshall found that the aboriginal "nations" had governed their territories prior to contact. Those
These concepts were not unknown in Canada. In the famous case of Connelly v. Woolrich (1867) 11 L.C. Jur. 197. 1 C.N.L.C. 70, a decision made nine days after confederation, Mr. Justice Monk held that a marriage under Cree laws (customs) was a valid marriage and gave rise to community of property between William Connelly and Suzanne Pas-de-Nom. This decision was upheld by the Court of Queen's bench on appeal (1869) 1 C.N.L.C. 151. Later, the NWT S.C. (1899) in R. v. Bear's Shin Bone found that a marriage according to the laws (customs) of the Blood tribe was valid and could be the basis for a conviction of polygamy under the Criminal Code. Therefore, in the areas of marriage and adoption, the common law recognized aboriginal laws and validated those acts under the common law. This continued up to the enactment of Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1981.
Mr. Grant noted that the low point in the recognition of aboriginal rights occurred on March 8, 1991, when McEachern, C.J. denied the rights of the Gitksan and the Wet'suwet'en in Delgamuukw. In his judgment, he held that with respect to the right of "self-government": It is inconceivable, in my view that another form of government could exist in the colony after the Crown imposed English law, appointed a Governor with power to legislate, took title to all the land of the colony and set up procedures to govern it by a governor and Legislative Council under the authority of the Crown .
In addition, in my view, the enactment of the British North America Act, 1867, and adherence to it by the colony of British Columbia in 1871, which was accomplished by Imperial, Canadian and colonial legislation, confirmed the establishment of a federal nation with all the legislative powers divided only between Canada and the provinces. This also clearly and plainly extinguished any residual aboriginal legislative or other jurisdiction, if any, which might have existed in the colonial period.
This view was apparently adopted by the B.C. Court of Appeal in June, 1993, seemingly destroying any hope for judicial recognition of an aboriginal right of self-government in British Columbia. However, two events have since occurred to change that perception. First, the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Affairs has prepared a detailed paper, Partners iri Confederation, on the continuing right of self-government. In Partners in Confederation, the Royal Commission developed the following points. 1. The aboriginal right of selfgovernment is inherent and not derivative. Its source is within Aboriginal communities, as a residue of the powers they originally held as autonomous nations. 2. Because the aboriginal right of self-government is now recognized in Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1981 it is a part of Canadian Law. 3. The aboriginal right of selfgovernment is not subordinate to the actions of other governments, "neither are they supreme" (see the Sparrow case). 4. Aboriginal self-government includes a component of an "actual right of jurisdiction over
6
Section Talk (continued) certain core subject matters without the need for court sanction or agreements with the Crown." Core matters would include "matters of vital concern to the life and welfare of the community that, at the same time, do not rise to the level of overriding national or regional concern." 5. The aboriginal right also includes a potential right which extends beyond the core rights. 6. The extent of the right of self-government is section 91(24) of the Constitution Act, 1981. This is a concurrent right with the federal crown. 7. Where there is a conflict with the federal right, the Sparrow rules apply. 8. Where there is a conflict with the provincial right, the rules governing federal-provincial rights apply.
Mr. Grant noted that the second recent source of support for aboriginal self-government came in the B.C.C.A. decision in Casimel v. l.C.B.C. in September, 1993. In this case the Court of Appeal narrowed the majority view in Delgamuukw by finding that a customary aboriginal adoption was legally binding. In the decision Justice Lambert wrote: I think that the conclusion which should be drawn from the decision of the Court in Del/Wmuukw v. The Queen is that none of the five judges decided that aboriginal rights of social self-government regulation had been extinguished by any form of blanket extinguishment and the particular rights must be examined in each case to determine the scope and content of the specific right in the aboriginal society and the relationship between that right with that scope and content and the workings of the general law of British Columbia.
Mr. Grant concluded by point-
ing to a number of cases now before the courts which he speculated will have an important influence on the issue of aboriginal self-government in the future. These include: R. v. Jim in the B.C.C.A.; R. v. ]ones and Papewon in the Ontario Court of Appeal; and R. v. Nikal in the Supreme Court of Canada.
National Securities Commission proposal gaining momentum Mr. Read presented an update on the federal government's National Securities Commission proposal. The update was based on a telephone conversation on July 8, 1994, between Mr. Read, Michael Varabioff and Mr. Frank Swetlove, the coordinator of the federal government's initiative. The concept of a National Securities Commission has been on the drawing board for years, however to date, the concept had not been widely embraced. This most recentinitiative was started when the four Atlantic provinces approachedthefederalgovernment and requested that a National Securities Commission be established. Essentially, the four Atlantic provinces were not interested in regulating their capital markets and wanted the federal government to take over this responsibility. The federal government is hoping to obtain a commitment from the provinces by the Fall of 1994 and to implement legislation by the Spring or Sum. mer of 1995. To date, Quebec representatives have stated that they are not interested. Representatives from Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario have expressed a fair amount of interest. B.C. representatives were not interested initially but appear to have softened their stance. The federal government has established a legal advisory committee with representatives from the
provinces. Neil de Gelder is the B.C. member of the committee. The essential characteristics of the proposal are that: • participation will be voluntary; • there will be no duplication of regulation - i.e., if the offering is cleared by the National Securities Commission there will be no need to clear the offering in any . province that has opted into this system; • provinciallegislation would still exist - the provinces would adopt the federal legislation and delegate the administrative authority to the National Securities Commission; and • the system will be designed so the provinces that opt into the system can still adopt certain exceptions to the National Securities Commission's rules to deal with local issues. The Securities Commission body itself would have the following characteristics. It would be autonomous and independent of OSFI. The head office would be in Toronto. There would be regionaloffices inothercentressuch as Vancouver. The current provincial securities commissions would likely form the basis for these regional offices so as to minimize disruption. The Securities Commission would have a national commissioner and there would be regional commissioners appointed from lists provided by the provincial governments. The current proposal would allow B.C. to have two full-time commissioners. The regional offices would regulate market participants and handle all investor claims and enforcement, hold hearings, clear prospectuses where the office has expertise to do so (i.e., B.C. could handle mining and small businesses), disseminate information and provide input regarding policy matters. The self-regulatory organizational (i.e., VSE) structure would stay essentially as it is. []
-~ What Working 9 to 5, a way·to make a living. Barely getting by, It's all taking and no giving. They just use your mind, ; and they never give you credit. It's enough to drive you crazy if you let it. Writer and vocalist, Dolly Parton .
You have had a hard day in Court, and in returning to your office you are greeted by the piles of unanswered correspondence on your desk. As you settle into your chair, your secretary walks in, hands you a stack of phone messages and in turning away, says to you that his salary review is overdue ... Welcome back! Traditionally, that salary review involves a brief review of the past performance of that employee, some discussion about future performance and quickly boils down to the hub of the question: "How much?" However, research shows that salary alone is not a good motivator. Moreover, there is little to support that significant action is taken, or improvement achieved, following even a good performance appraisal interview with an employee. How do we, as lawyers, motivate and improve on the performance of our staff? Some lawyers are possessed with astute observation skills, innate understanding of the driving forces lying within their employees and the ability to "hit the buttons" of those employees to achieve maximum performance. The rest of us mortals are left to muddle through, learning from our mistakes and cherishing our victories. Quality is the sine qua non of the 1990's. The delivery of quality is due in no small measure, by the performance of our staff.
Accordingly, it is increasingly important that as managers, we learn to motivate our employees to have the kind of pride in their work that translates to high quality to the client, job satisfaction to the employee and effective performance to the lawyer. What are the techniques to be used to achieve these goals? A sampling of these are as follows: • Separate the salary review from the performance review. Interviews designed to address performance should not have attention diverted away by the always sensitive issues of money. • Recall that criticism has a negative effect on people. Use the "sandwich" approach comment on a positive aspect of the employee that you wish· continued, deal with an issue on which you desire improvement, and finish by commenting on another desirable attribute that you wish reinforced. In this fashion, you have positively reinforced two beneficial features of the employee to each negative point that you wish changed. • Performance improves most when the employee assists in setting goals. Encourage the employee to put forward areas where they themselves desire improvement, and support them in setting the program and the time frame for change.
David ]. Bilinsky Chair, B.C. Branch Law Practice Management Section
• Use positive language. Tell your employees what you would prefer they do, rather than what is unacceptable. • NEVER, NEVER, criticize an employee in the presence of someone, be it staff, partners or even worse, a client. If criticism need be given, do it quitely in the privacy of your office, and only after the employee has been offered the opportunity to explain. At all costs, we should preserve our employee's self-esteem and establish ourselves as managers possessing a degree of compassion and understanding. In this way, we may save ourselves the embarrassment where the culprit may be another staff member, a partner or, heaven forbid, our self! • Coaching is not an annual event. Take the opportunity whenever offered, to reward effort, personal achievement and growth. • Hold regular staff meetings. Open the agenda to input from everyone, and encourage commentary from all during the discussions. These allow little problems to be discussed and defused before they become big problems. • Recall that the staff will be looking to you to exhibit leaderPlease turn to page 8
8
Scholarship established in memory of Mr. Justice Peter Seaton
ship and direction. "Do what I say, not what I do" is a lesson we all learned very early on, and memories linger . . .
With encouragement from his many admirers and friends, the Vernon Bar Association has established a Memorial Scholarship to honour the memory of the late Mr. Justice Peter D. Seaton. Born in Vernon in 1924, Mr. Justice Seaton graduated from area schools to join the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942. In 1949, he married his wife of 44 years, Doreen (Currie), and graduated from UBC Law School in 1950. He articled and practised with the Vernon firm which by 1966 had become "Davidson & Seaton," at which time he was appointed to the B.C. Supreme Court. Mr. Justice Seaton served as a judge of the Supreme Court of B.C. until1974 when he was appointed to the B.C. Court of Appeal. A keen sailor and avid skier, Mr. Justice Seaton was also an enthusiastic supporter of local and
UBC law alumni holds Annual Meeting The UBC Law Alumni Association Annual General Meeting will be held on Thursday, Nov. 17, 1994 at 5:30p.m. at the Law Courts Inn at the Vancouver Law Courts, 800 Smithe Street. RSVP Nicole Chipman at Blake, Cassels & Graydon 631-3322. []
Member re-appointed to Stock Exchange Alison Narod of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy has been re-appointed to the VSE board of governors for a oneyear term. She specializes in labour, employment and administrative law. She was one of three re-appointments to the board in
PracticeTalk (continued from page 7)
• Managerial approaches that watch for staff sloth and irresponsibility breed negative performance and apathy. Make use of the golden rule: Treat your staff as you would desire to be treated.
Mr. Justice Peter Seaton
provincial charities and above all, a fine Canadian. To contribute to the Peter Donald Seaton Memorial Scholarship, send your cheque payable to: "The Vernon Foundation," and remit it to: c/o Vernon Bar Association, Attention: N. Davidson, #1 - 2906-32 Street, Vernon, B.C. VlT 5Ml. [] addition to three new public governors. []
Member named to Expropriation Board Robert W. C. Shorthouse has been appointed as chair of the Expropriation Compensation Board. Shorthouse served as vice-chair since his appointment to the board in July 1993. Prior to his appointment, he had conducted a private law practice in Victoria specializing in corporate, commercial and real estate law. He replaces Jeanne Harvey who was recently appointed a judge of the Provincial Court of B.C. []
• Following the completion of a major file, in a staff meeting, give credit to the performance of the employees who contributed to the success. This demonstrates to all that the firm is looking for outstanding results, and will recognize same. • Whenever possible, seek the opinion of your employees on how to make change for the better, and allow the employee to keep personal responsibility for implementing their suggested changes. Strive to have staff consult you on increasing their authority in going about their duties. • As staff performance, participation and authority increase, your role as supervisor will also change. You will devote greater time to enabling, encouraging and reinforcing positive achievements. Your job satisfaction will also increase and greater time will be freed to do more important work. • The encouragement of positive attitudes and values is an exercise that pays off in increased quality for the firm, greater job satisfaction for all and less hassles with the staff. Considering that we spend the greatest single portion of our lives at work- it is important that we make use of that time in not just earning an income, but in building effective, rewarding and positive organizations. []
You will see a reference in some cases to the number of the Bill when it was introduced in the House. This number may be different from the chapter number of the new Act which is quoted after the title of the Act and which is the proper citation for the Act. The Bill Number has been given to you to make it easier for you to note up the Bills you may have in your library. Every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided to you in this article but the information should not be relied upon. Lawyers should refer to the specific legislative or regulatory provision.
Ann McLean
ACTS IN FORCE FROM PREVIOUS SESSIONS The following acts were passed in previous sessions and have been brought into force by regulation.
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 1993, S.B.C. 1993, c.55 amends the Health Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.161, allowing the Lieutenant Governor in Council to delegate to a municipality inspection, regulation and control powers for the purpose of health protection and providing for appeal of certain decisions to the Environmental Appeal Board. section 10 of the Act;. except the partetzacting s.5(3)(b)- (d) of 路 the Health Act;. inforceAugust26,1994
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 1982, S.B.C. 1982, c.72, amends the Insurance Corporation Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.201, changing a reference in s.6(d) of the Act from "Medical Act" to "Medical Practitioners Act". section 10 of the Act i11 force Septetnber 12, 1994
Private Post-Secondary Education Act, S.B.C. 1990, c.64, provides procedures for accreditation of an institution registered under the Act andrequirements which accredited institutions must meet. sectimts 11 - 18, 20, 25 and 35(2)(/) of the Act itt force Septet11ber 15, 1994
Residential Tenancy Amendment Act, 1993, S.B.C. 1993, c.68 amends the Residential Tenancy Act, S.B.C. 1984, c.15, as to s.44, adding a registrar's order under s.16 to the orders that can be filed with the Provincial Court for enforcement, clarifying that the monetary jurisdiction of the Court applies to orders filed in the court under the Act and clarifying that a judge can cancel or change an order filed in the court under the Act if the order was made in the absence of a party. sectimt19(c) of the Act except the part enacting s.44(3.3) and (3.4) of the Residett tial Tenancy Act 111 force Septetnber 15, 1994
Health Professions Statutes Amendment Act, 1993, S.B.C. 1993, c.SO amends the Chiropractors Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.SO, the Nurses (Registered) Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.302 and the Nurses (Registered Psychiatric) Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.301, providing that at least one third of the number of members of the governing body of each profession covered by the Acts must be appointed by the minister. sectimts 3, 39 and 45 of the Act in force Septetnber 30, 1994
Statute Revision Miscellaneous Amendment Act, 1992, S.B.C. 1992, c.55, amends the Land Title Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.219 and the Builders Lien Act, Court Order Enforcement Act, International Financial Business Act, Mortgage Brokers Act, Securities Act, Wills Variation Act, Expropriation Act, Homeowner Interest Assistance Act, Municipal Act, Trade Practice Act and Vancouver Charter, as to various references to "lis
pendens" and "certificate of lis pendens" and referring to "pending litigation" or "proceedings". sections 1, 2,17-21 and Schedules 1 and2 of the Actin force October 1, 1994
Liquor Control and Licensing Amendment Act, 1993, S.B.C. 1993, c.32, amends the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.237, expanding
the provisions relating to appeals. sections 7, 8 and 10 of the Act in force October 7, 1994
Forest Amendment Act, 1993, S.B.C. 1993, c.l6, amends the Forest Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.140, allowing a district manager or regional manager to change the boundary or area of a woodlot licence with the consent of the licence holder at the time the licence is replaced. section 4 of the Act and the part of section 20(a) enacting s.158(2)(y) of the Forest Act in force October 15, 1994
10
Legislative Update (continued) ACTS IN FORCE FROM 1994 SPRING SESSION The following acts, passed in the 1994 spring session, are now in force and are reported in order of bill number.
Insurance Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.7, (Bill 6), amends the Insurance Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.200, extending the types of contracts of insur?nce to which the appraisal provisions apply to mclude many perils in addition to fire and to include loss of rents or profits or loss from business interruption resulting from such perils, for losses occurring after s.1 comes into force. The act also extends the right of action of a judgment creditor against a judgment debtor's insurer to all cases where the judgment was in respect of a liability against which the debtor is insured. The act makes other minor amendments, including removing the requirement that policies be signed or countersigned by the agent in order for the agent to receive a commission.
board to recognize the disease as an occupational disease. in force August 26, 1994
Medical and Health Care Services Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.48, (Bill 26), amends the Medical and Health Care Services Act, S.B.C. 1992, c.76, making administrative changes in the operation of the commission and its dealings with practitioners. in fo rce August 26, 1994
Land Title Amendment Act; 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.44, (Bill 28), amends the Land Title Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.219, enabling land owners to enter into conservation covenants with parties, including non-government organizations designated by the Minister, and to have the covenant registered on title. Amenities which may be protected include natural, historical, heritage, cultural, scientific, architectural, environmental, wildlife or plant life value relating to the affected land. Consequential amendments are made to the Assessment Act, Heritage Conservation Act and Property Transfer Tax Act. sectio11s 1-5 of theActi11 forceAugust26, 1994
in force Ocwber 1, 1994路
Accountants (Management) Act, S.B.C. 1994, c.17, (Bill 8), repeals and replaces the Accountants (Management) Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.3, changing the name of the governing society to the Certified Management Accountants Society of British Columbia, increasing the number of lay board members, providing for membership categories and the operation of the society and expanding procedures for practice review and discipline. in force September 15, 1994
Library Act, S.B.C. 1994, c. 31, (Bill12), repeals and replaces the Library Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.235, modernizing the provision of public library services and making conseque~tial amendments to the Miscellaneous Statues Amendment Act (No. 2), 1987, Municipal Act and Pension (Municipal) Act. The provision guaranteeing free basic public library service is not yet in force. Act, except s.46, in force August 26, 1994
Workers Compensation Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.24, (Bill13), amends the Workers Compensation Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.437, expanding the provisions which allow the board to make interjurisdictional agreements, reinstating benefits and retroactive benefits plus interest for spouses of workers who died as a result of a work accident before July 1, 1974 and who remarried on or after April17, 1985 and allowing the board to award full compensation in certain circumstances for an occupational disease claim if the application is filed within 3 years after the date sufficient medical or scientific evidence as determined by the board became available to the board for the
Agricultural Land Commission Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.25, (Bill 30), amends the Agricultural Land Commission Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.9, making administrative changes, adding to the role of the commission to encourage first nations and local and provincial governments to accommodate agricultural land in their by-laws, policies and plans, expanding the role of local governments to participate in applications, adding powers of inspection for the purpose of deciding applications, requiring public notice of applications, clarifying that local government by-laws must be consistent with the Act, regulations and orders of the commission, validates the original process for designation of agricultural land reserves and makes consequential amendments to the Municipal Act. section 17 of the Act (validations) in force effective May 19, 1994; balance of the Act in force August 26, 1994
Waste Management Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.33, (Bill 35), amends the Waste Management Act, S.B.C. 1982, c.41, adding a new Part 4.1, "Clean Air Provisions" providing for the regulation of emissions from new motor vehicles and from engines and fuels and for the regulation of new solid fuel burning domestic appliances and makes consequential amendments to the Motor Vehicle Act. the parts of section 1 enacti11g s.24.1, 24.4 24.3(a), (i), {i) and (l) and 24.5 of the Waste Mana3ementAct and section~ in force October 1, 1994; the part of section 1 enactitz$ s.24.4 of the Waste MmzagenumtActi11 force August26, 1994
Skills Development and Fair Wage Act, S.B.C. 1994, c.22, (Bill37), requires that all employees of a contractor doing any part of government construction to which the Act applies must have a certifi-
11
Legislative Update (continued) cate of apprenticeship, certificate of qualification or Interprovincial Red Seal, requires that all such employees receive fair wages as stipulated by the regulations, deems fair wages to be wages for the purposes of the Employment Standards Act, provides for other administrative matters to assist in enforcement, provides offences for non-compli..: ance, makes consequential amendments to the Drainage, Ditch and Dyke Act and the Ministry of Transportation and Highways Act and repeals the Wage (Public Construction) Act and certain provisions of the Hospital Act, Municipal Act and Vancouver Charter. in force Sepumher 1, 1994
Health Statutes Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.42, (Bill 38), amends the (a) Dentists Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.92, clarifying that the council of the college includes appointed as well as elected members, (b) Health Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.161, redefining the role of the Provincial health officer,
(c) Health Authorities Act, S.B.C. 1993, c.47, allowing the minister to act instead of a council in certain circumstances, (d) Health Professions Act, S.B.C. 1990, c.SO, making a housekeeping amendment, (e) Optometrists Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.307, making a housekeeping amendment, and (f) Venereal Disease Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.422, including chlamydia in the definition of "venereal disease". section 10 of the Act (Optometrists Act) in force October 18, 1993; sectwns4- 8 and 16 of the Actin force SepUmber 12, 1994
Skills, Training and Labour Statutes Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.23, (Bill 39), amends the (a) Architects (Landscape) Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.20, amending the provision relating to the constitution of the board of examiners, (b) Engineers and Geoscientists Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.109, making housekeeping amendments, providing for more reasonable reimbursement of lawyers and witnesses, and extending the right to appeal to applicants for a licence,
(c) Hairdressers Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.159, changing provisions relating to fees and fines, and (d) Pension Benefits Standards Act, S.B.C. 1991, c.15, expanding the provisions relating to preretirement survivor benefits. sections 2- 10 of the Act in force August 26, 1994; sections 1 and 13 of the Act [Archiucts (Lamlscape)Act and Pension Benefits Standards Act] in force Sepumher 15, 1994
Petroleum Corporation Repeal Act, S.B.C. 1994, c.SS, (Bill 42) repeals the Petroleum Corporation Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.324, provides for the winding up of the British Columbia Petroleum Corporation and its subsidiary, B.C. Petroleum (Kiti. mat) Ltd and makes consequential amendments to several acts which refer to these corporations. in force September 30, 1994
Finance and Corporate Relations Statutes Amendment Act, 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.37, (Bill44), amends the Financial Administration Act, S.B.C. 1981, c.15, setting a new standard for the investment of funds, and providing for the exercise of investment powers by various people. section 3 - 8 of the Act in force SepUmher 30, 1994
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 2), 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.SO, (Bill 48), amends the (a) British Columbia Buildings Corporation Act,
R.S.B.C. 1979, c.35, increasing the maximum amount that may be borrowed by the British Columbia Buildings Corporation from $700 million to $900 million, (b) Farming and Fishing Industries Development Act, S.B.C. 1989, c.27, providing a
change to the authorized government representatives on a council and providing for the legal capacity and powers of a council, (c) Ferry Corporation Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.l28, making several administrative changes and providing details on regulations which may be enacted under the Act, including as to safety and traffic control on corporate premises, (d) Petroleum and Natural Gas Act, R.S.B.C. 1979, c.323, providing for collection of royalties by attachment from third parties, repealing the requirement for a rig licence to operate a drilling rig and providing for the regulation of experimental schemes, and (e) Science and Technology Fund Act, S.B.C. 1990, c.69, providing that all money received by the government from an activity funded under the Act is to be deposited into the fund created by the Act. sections 1, 8-11 and 30 oftheActinforceAu$'tst26, 1994; sections 3 - 7 of the Act (Farming and Fishmg Industries Development Act) in force Sepumber 15, 1994; sections 20- 29 of the Act (Petroleum and Natural Gas Act) in force Seputnber 30, 1994
Miscellaneous Statutes Amendment Act (No. 3), 1994, S.B.C. 1994, c.51, (Bill 55), amends the Industrial Development Incentive Act, S.B.C. 1985, c.43, limiting the amount of loans and investments made from the Industrial Investment Fund to $300 million. section 3 of the Act in force August 26, 1994
12
Legislative Update (continued) REGULATIONS TO NOTE
course for non-compliance with the Act. effective September 1, 1994
Court Rules Act, B.C. Reg. 221/90, the Supreme Court Rules are amended as to Rule 58(14), providing that the court may order that money or a security awarded to an infant under a disability be paid to the Public Trustee in trust for the infant. B.C. Reg. 279/94 effective August 26,1994
Pension Benefits Standards Act, B.C. Reg. 433/93, the Pension Benefits Standards Regulation is amended, providing for a waiver by a spouse or surviving spouse of his or her entitlement to a preretirement survivor benefit in respect of certain registered retirement savings plans and life income funds. B.C. Reg. 337/94 effective September 15, 1994
Skills Development and Fair Wage Act, B.C. Reg. 296/94, the Skills Development and Fair Wage Regulation is made, setting out exemptions from the Act, providing fair wage minimum rates, providing for filing reports, record keeping and re-
Workers Compensation Act, B.C. Reg. 339/94, the Fishing Operations Regulations is made, setting out safety regulations for licensed commercial fishing vessels. effective Janrtary 1, 1995 ·
Members appointed to Provincial Court bench Attorney General Colin Gabelmann announced the appointment of eight provincial court judges on Sept. 20, 1994. • Agnes K. Krantz, Q.C. comes to the bench from a position as staff lawyer with the Legal Services Society of British Columbia. Her appointment as judge in Prince Rupert is effective Sept. 27, 1994. • Richard D. Miller served since 1977 as Crown Counsel, first in Prince Rupert and later in the Fraser Region. His appointment to the bench in Surrey is effective Sept. 28, 1994. • Jeanne Watchuk was with the firm Bull, Hausser & Tupper where she specialized in tax law. She also brings experience in matrimonial and family law to her appointment to the bench in Vancouver effective Oct. 3, 1994. • Gurmail Singh Gill practised law in New Westminster. He brings wide and varied experience in civil, family and criminal law to his appointment in Surrey and begins his duties on Oct. 4, 1994.
• Daniel M. B. Steinberg has been in private practice since 1974. In recent years, his experience has involved mas tly criminal law. His appointment
as a judge in Vancouver is effective Oct. 5, 1994. • Christopher David Cleaveley has been in private practice for many years in Fort St. John. He was a member of the B.C. Native Lawyers. His appointment as a judge in Fort St. John takes effect Oct. 6, 1994. • Lorna-Jeanne Marie Harvey is currently Chair of the Expropriation Compensation Board. She also has extensive experience in family law. Her appointment to the bench in Victoria is effective Oct. 7, 1994.
• Marion R. Buller brings a wide range of experience to the Provincial Court. Her criminal law experience has involved both prosecution and defence work. She also acted as Commission Counsel for the CaribooChilcotin Justice Inquiry. Her appointment as a judge in Vancouver is effective Oct. 11, 1994. "I am confident they will bring to their work insight and compassion along with the wisdom to render fair decisions such work demands," said Attorney General Colin Gabelmann. [J
REPORTS AVAILABLE The Legislation and Law Reform Committee has received a copy of the following reports from the B.C. government. Information may be obtained from the source noted or from Ann McLean, B.C. Branch Legislation and Law Reform Officer in Victoria (598-2860).
Report Discussion Paper issued by the Secondary Suites Policy Committee, chaired by Sue Hammell, MIA
Source Ministry of Municipal Affairs - 387-4089; Ministry of Housing, Recreation and Consumer Services - 3873169; Sue Hammell 572-7277
Report to the Minister of Social Services of the Panel to Review Adoption Legisation in British Columbia
Minis try of Social Services Adoption Program (387-7071)
Environmental Assessment Act Draft Regulations (second draft)
Environmental Assessment Project (952-0575)
13
Law Foundation celebrates quarter century of service to the public This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Law Foundation of British Columbia. In 1969, British Columbia law-
yers led the way by establishing the first law foundation in North America to receive and distribute for the benefit of the public the interest on clients' funds held in lawyers' pooled trust accounts. Prior to the Law Foundation, financial institutions simply kept the money on these pooled trust accounts. The idea for the foundation, created through statute and independent of the Law Society, took root in British Columbia as a result of the work of Mr. Justice Kenneth Meredith and Mr. A.M. Harper, Q.C., the founders of the Law Foundation of B.C. Atthe August1989 Annual Meeting of the Canadian Bar Association in Vancouver, the then Attorney General, Bud Smith, Q.C., presented Mr. Justice Meredith and Mr. Harper with Founders Awards to recognize their significant contribution to the people of British Columbia. Since the creation of the Law Foundation of British Columbia, almost every other jurisdiction in North America has followed our lead and created similar foundations based on the B.C. model. The Legal Profession Act directs the Law Foundation to distribute its income in five areas: • legal aid; • legal education; • law reform; • legal research, and • law libraries. The Law Foundation's mission statement is to use its income for the benefit of the public of the Province of British Columbia, by supporting programs which advance and promote the rule of law and a just society. Since its inception, the Law Foundation has distributed over $140 million dollars in grants to worthy law-related projects for the benefit of the public of British
On October 6, 1994, the original founders of the Law Foundation of B.C. Mr. A.M. Harper, Q.C. (2nd from left) and Mr. Justice Meredith (3rd from left) welcomed Law Foundation Gavernors and grantees to the Law Foundation offices to mark the 25th anniversary of the Law Foundation of B.C., the first such foundation in North America and the model for other law foundations since its inception. Also on hand at the celebration were Attorney General Colin Gabelmann (left) and B.C. Branch President Eric Rice, Q.C.
Columbia. The great majority of these grants go to the programs designed to make the law and justice system more accessible to the people of British Columbia, particularly those members of the public who have the greatest problems of access as a result of their economic, social, physical, or mental special needs.
The Foundation also provided grants for Branch projects such as Legislation and Law Reform Officer to assist the Branch to respond to and initiate legislation reforms, and a project to develop briefs on key, provincial environmental law reform for the Association's Sustainable Development Action Plan.
The Law Foundation is administered by a Board of Governors which is responsible for making all decisions concerning grants. The Board consists of 18 volunteer members, two of whom are appointed by the B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association.
The Law Foundation has provided grants to the National Canadian Bar Association for a variety of projects including: • Research grant (1990) focusing on court reform and its impact on the independence of the judiciary and the public's access to justice; • Research grant (1991) focusing on reform and recodification of the General Part of the Criminal Code; and • Grant (1992) for the work of the national task force on Gender Equality. The legal profession of British Columbia has reason to be proud ofthesignificantcornmunityservice provided by the Law Foundation of B.C. through the volunteer work of its many Governors, and the services provided by its grantees. []
The Law Foundation provides continuing support to the B.C. Branch of the CBA for a number of its programs including • Law Week public legal education activities throughout B.C.; • Lawyer Referral program, a province-wide telephone service which helps the public obtain low cost legal information and assistance; and • Dial-A-Law, a province wide telephone service which provides free legal information to the public.
14
National Trust Annual Team Competition Trophy: (left to right) Pat Devlin, Tom Deutsch, Bruce Bragagnolo, Glen Harder
Mabel Penery French Cup, Low Gross Ladies: Deidre Herbert
The CBA (B.C. Branch) First Annual Charity Golf Tournament in support of the Adult Literacy Contact Centre was a resounding success on Sept. 21, 1994 and raised over $2,500 for the Centre. Seventy-two golfers, from novices to experts, basked in, the heat of perfect weather at the 400-acre, Arnold Palmer-designed Northview Golf and Country Club. Within the two 18-hole championship courses, Northview has preseved 35 acres as a wildlife refuge. The B.C. Branch had held regular golf tournaments up to ten years ago, but this tournament was resurrected as a means to support the work of an important public resource, the Adult Literacy Contact Centre. "This tournament was recommended by the B.C. Branch Communications Committee as a way to bring members together for a golf competition but also to raise awareness within the profession of the provincial services provided by the Adult Literacy Contact Centre," said Tourney Committee Co-Chair Craig Goebel. "We view this as the first in what we hope will become an annual tradition for such a worthy endeavour as the Centre," added Goebel. "The Tournament is about collegiality and competition, but the big winner is literacy," said
Midland Walwyn Blue Chip Cup, Low Gross - Men : Robert Crawford. Congratulating Robert is Robert Smethurst, Q.C., B.C. Branch Executive Director and Co-Oiair of the Golf Tournament Committee.
President Eric Rice, Q.C., who participated in the tournament. "We were also pleased that law Society Treasurer Robert Johnston, Q.C., and Secretary Bryan Ralph were able to make time in a hectic schedule right before our annual meetings to support this event as well." Adult Literacy Contact Centre Chair Betty Noble and Centre Coordinator Linda Hackett were on hand at the awards dinner to thank the B.C. Branch for its commitment to literacy and the Centre. A special thank you is extended to the trophy and prize sponsors listed on the opposite page. Their participation ensured the success of the event. As well, thank you is extended to Com-
mittee members Cheryl Stephens and Linda Hackett for their work, to Executive Director Bob Smethurst, Executive Secretary Barb Murphy and Communications Director Larry Hnetka for their diligent support of this event. Other competition winners: Closest-to-the-hole: Albert Raponi Longest Drive - Men: Brent Chapman Longest Drive - Ladies: Elizabeth Watson Best Novice: Hugh McLellan
Ronald C. Bray Cup, Low Net - Men: Matt Fahey
The Pinnacles Trophy in support of the CBA (B.C. Branch), Low Net- Ladies: Elizabeth Watson. The annual trophy was presented by (left) Warren Burgess and (right) Bob Williamson of the Pinnacles Resort at Silver Star in Vernon.
• • • • • • • • • • • • Corporate Courier Challenge Cup, Team Low Gross: Bragagnolo, Pat Devlin, Tom Deutsch
Glen Harder, Bruce
Sponsors and Contributors Special thank you to the following finns who sponsored tee and green signs: • Active Bailiff Services Ltd. • Adams & Phelps Reporting • Burgess Austin & Associates • Canadian Bar Insurance Association - Leo Donahue Insurance Services • New West Reporting Services • Skikaze Ralston, Chartered Accountants • Smart and Biggar • Warner Scarborough • West Coast Title Search Ltd. Sponsors and donors: • Abercorn Inn, Richmond • Active Bailiff Service Ltd. • Adams & Phelps Reporting • AIR CANADA
• Alexander, Holburn, Beaudin & Lang Alistair Eagle Photography • American Express • BSG Systems Ltd. • Burgess Austin & Associates • Canadian Bar Insurance Association - Leo Donahue Insurance Services • Coast Canadian Inn, Kamloops • Coast Discovery Inn, Campbell River • Coast Plaza Hotel, Vancouver • Coast Vancouver Airport, Vancouver • Coast Westerly Hotel, Courtenay • Corporate Couriers • COSTCO Wholesale
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Counsel International Crown Publications Deloitte Touche Empress Hotel, Victoria Executive House Hotel, Victoria Four Seasons Hotel, Vancouver Grand Okanagan Lakefront Resort, Kelowna Holiday Inn Holiday Inn- Chilliwack Hotel Vancouver International Binding and Laminating Ltd. Kevin Perra of NRS Westburn Realty Ltd. Le Meridien Vancouver Midland Walwyn National Trust New West Reporting Services PARK'N FLY Sheraton Plaza 500, Vancouver Skikaze Ralston, Chartered Accountants Smart & Biggar The Landis Hotel, Vancouver The Pinnacles, Silver Star Mountain - Vernon Toronto Dominion Bank Warner Scarborough Waterway Houseboat Vacations, Sicamous Wedgewood Hotel, Vancouver West Coast Title Search Ltd.
Photography on pages 14 and 15 courtesy of Alistair Eagle Photography
16
Graham joins Branch Staff
Legal community unites for charity Partners and law firm staff in the Lower Mainland and throughout British Columbia are actively supporting United Way campaigns.
Patti Graham has joined the B.C. Branch staff as Administration Director. With a varied background in administrative management, recruiting, training, personnel and office computer systems, Patti Graham will oversee the day-to-day operations of the B.C. Branch, its staff and computer system. Patti will also assist in preparing budgets and financial statements and will ensure that the B.C. Branch continues to support its activities through sound financial planning, resource and staffing allocation. The Executive and staff welcome Patti to the office. []
Kelsey and Adair sit at Provincial Council table Christopher Kelsey of Swift Datoo & Company in Courtenay has been appointed to a one-year term to represent Nanaimo County on Provincial Council. Kelsey replaces elected member Jean Mackie of Ramsey Thompson Lampman in Nanaimo who was unable to complete her term of office. Brent Adair of Trail has been appointed to a one-year term to represent Kootenay County on Provincial Council. Adair replaces elected member Dana Urban who has accepted a position at the War Crimes Tribunal in the Hague. []
With 19 United Ways in British Columbia, all run by local boards of directors, money raised in each area remains in those communities. Giving to the United Way is "the way to help the most." 1£ your law firm does not have a United Way campaign, consider a personal donation to assist United Way agencies in your own community. []
Distinquished Service Award deadline near The CBA (B.C. Branch) Annual Georges A. Goyer, Q.C., Memorial Award for Distinguished Service will be presented at the Bench and Bar Dinner on November 24, 1994. Up to two awards will be considered each year. Nominations for the award close on October 28, 1994. Nominations are being received for a person who has provided exeptional contributions and/ or achievements: •
to the legal profession in B.C.;
•
to jurisprudence in B.C. or Canada;
•
to the law or development of the law in B.C.; or
•
a significant law-related benefit to the residents of British Columbia.
Previous award recipients include Alec Robertson, Q.C. (1992) and Neil Davidson, Q.C. (1993). Call the B.C. Branch office at 687-3404 for a copy of the nomination form or for further information. []
Dates to Note November24 Bench and Bar Dinner
Law Courts Inn, Vancouver December 3 Provincial Council Meeting
Delta Airport Hotel, Richmond January 1995 (date tba) First Nations Forum
Long House, UBC February 3-4, 1995 Kootenay Bar Winter Meeting February 18, 1995 Provincial Council Meeting, Vancouver February 25-28, 1995 National CBA Mid-Winter Meeting, Charlottetown, PEl BarTalk is published by the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association, lOth Floor- 845 Cambie Street Vancouver, B.C. V6B 5T3 Tel: (604) 687-3404 FAX: 669-9601 Editar: Larry Hnetka, Communications Directar 687-3404 Legislation and Law Refarm Officer: Ann McLean (Victoria)
598-2860 SectionTalk Editar: Shelley Bentley, LL.B. Alistair Eagle Photography (688-8867) is the CBA (B.C.
Branch) official photographer. © Copyright the British Co-
lumbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association-1994.
The B.C. Branch of the Canadian Bar Association represents over 7,600 Iawyers within British Columbia. The B.C. Branch is dedicated to improve and promote access to justice, to review legisiation, initiate law refarm measures and advance and improve the administration of justice. On behalf of the profession, the B.C. Branch works to improve and promote knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession and promotes the interests of its members. []