4 minute read
SectionTalk
Winter 2021 Section Meetings
As we progress into the year, CBABC Sections continue to host a growing number of meetings, holding 66 in November and December 2021 alone! Most sessions are still held virtually, and recordings are largely available. Here are some highlights of the great work many Sections have been doing.
uSPECIAL COMMITTEE INCLUDES
CBABC RECOMMENDATIONS IN
FINAL PIPA REPORT
The BC Legislative Assembly’s Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act released their final report, Modernizing British Columbia’s Private Sector Privacy Law, to government on December 6, 2021. This final report included many recommendations made by CBABC in the August 2020 submission to the Special Committee. We thank and congratulate the volunteers from the Freedom of Information & Privacy Law Section for their hard work preparing this submission. Learn more: bit.ly/bt0222p22-1
uFINDING FULFILLMENT IN THE LAW AND YOUR PROFESSION — bit.ly/bt0222p22-2 The Women Lawyers Forum hosted Ellen Gavin, legal recruiter at Impact Recruitment, Sara Forte, founder of Forte Law, and Alice Davidson, Chief Legal Officer at Mogo Inc., who explored topics such as: What female lawyers are looking for these days beyond compensation and how they are negotiating in order to get it. Unique career trajectories, including founding your own firm and moving in-house; career alternatives for lawyers who want to make a change. The role and influence of women lawyers in senior positions. Important and useful resources for lawyers looking to make a career transition. The session was moderated by Bena Stock, former Lawyer, now Counselor and Workplace Wellness Consultant. u BC VACCINE CARD: RIGHTS AND WRONGS — bit.ly/bt0222p22-3 The COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented limitations on the personal liberties of Canadians, but the impact of those limitations is not evenly felt across the population. The recently introduced BC Vaccine Card promises to protect public health but also raises serious concerns around privacy, state surveillance and the impact of identification requirements on marginalized groups such as transgendered persons and people living without homes. Constitutional Law & Civil Liberties hosted Mark Gervin, Adrienne Smith, and Laura Track as they explored the constitutional and human rights implications of this measure.
uVIRTUAL MEDIATION — REFLECTIONS AND MOVING FORWARD — bit.ly/bt0222p22-4 ADR — Vancouver hosted Lisa Hamilton, QC, Hamilton Fabbro Lawyers, Simon Margolis, QC, Cornish Margolis Boyd, and Mark Tweedy, Mark Tweedy Mediation and Arbitration, who discussed the current state of virtual mediation and its future. They covered questions such as: What advantages and disadvantages have you seen to virtual mediation as opposed to in person (both from the perspective of mediator and parties)? What can mediators and parties do to ensure success at a virtual mediation? Have you done any hybrid mediations with some in person and some virtual participants — if so, how has that worked and what benefits/issues have you had with that?
uHEALTH LAW AND VACCINES — bit.ly/bt0222p22-5 Health Law hosted Rose Keith, QC, who presented on the emerging issues in health law relating to government issued mandates, including mandatory vaccines requirements for healthcare professionals, vaccine passports, mask requirements, and the associated human rights considerations.
SOGIC UPDATE — by Dustin Klaudt
COVID-19’s impacts have caused widespread harms to the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, two-spirited, intersex, and other sexual and gender minority (“LGBTQ2SI+”) community. Statistics Canada reported (bit.ly/bt0222p23-1) that the LGBTQ2SI+ community faces higher risk of job loss, financial, and housing insecurity. They further report (bit.ly/bt0222p23-2) our community faces disproportionate exposure to hate crimes (with a 41% increase in 2019), inappropriate public behavior (57% vs. 22% for non-LGBTQ2SI+), mental health concerns (32% vs. 11%), and suicide ideation (40% vs. 15%), and mood or anxiety disorders (41% vs. 16%). CBABC SOGIC monitors these deepening equality gaps and advocates for concrete policy solutions. We always welcome further input and engagement from CBABC members on solutions to combat these disparities. Contact SOGIC: bit.ly/bt0222p23-3.
\ EMAIL: SECTIONS@CBABC.ORG
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WLF UPDATE by Bronwen Black
Keep Your Eyes Peeled for Details on the Junior Women Lawyers Event!
Every year, the CBABC WLF holds an event for junior women lawyers to network, celebrate achievements, and build connections. Pre-pandemic, these events were held in person at different venues in Vancouver so we could meet face-to-face and raise a glass together. However, as we are all very familiar with by now, the pandemic has changed how events like these may be held. Last year, for example, we held a virtual Junior Women Lawyers Event with several breakout rooms featuring guest speakers. The WLF hoped to hold this year’s event in person, but given recent developments and the safety of members top of mind, we are planning another virtual event this year. We plan to host a panel of 4-5 guest speakers from different dispute resolution spheres (a Supreme Court judge, a Provincial Court judge, a mediator, a Civil Resolution Tribunal member, and potentially other Alternative Dispute Resolution decision-makers). The theme for this year’s event is exploring how the legal profession needs to change to be sustainable, and how we, as junior women lawyers, must be a part of that change. The event will be held mid-February, so keep your eyes peeled for the save-the-date email in coming weeks!
