SectionTalk

Between January and March, Sections hosted almost 70 virtual meetings. Meetings were held mainly by Zoom with most recorded and made available to Section members. Here were some of our most popular:

Hey, You’ve Started Your Own Firm, Now What?

General Practice, Solo & Small

Firm — Lower Mainland hosted Marina Sedai, Edward Wong, and Cheryl D’Sa, who all practise in different areas of law but have founded and operated their own firms for many years now. They shared the experience and wisdom they gained from guiding their firms through the early years, particularly with regards to hiring considerations, marketing, practice management, and others.

Anti-Money Laundering Update for Business Lawyers

Business Law hosted Christine Duhaime of Fusion Intelligence who discussed the latest developments in anti-money laundering law. Christine focused on the Emergencies Act, the Land Owner Transparency Act, and the anatomy of a FINTRAC disclosure and why it matters to lawyers and their clients.

Top 10 Intellectual Property Cases of 2021

The last year had some interesting intellectual property cases decided as new technologies come to the forefront. Intellectual Property & Technology Law hosted a panel of senior lawyers, including Scott Foster, Kwan Loh, and Jennifer Marles, who bring a wealth of experience in the IP field.

Aboriginal Title &

Fee Simple

Real Property — Vancouver

hosted Chris Roine who gave an overview of the current understanding of how Aboriginal title claims may apply to or affect fee simple property rights. Chris also outlined the associated considerations for counsel, purchasers, vendors, and lenders.

The Live Export of

Horses in Canada — Time for a Ban?

This joint meeting by BC, Manitoba, and PEI CBA Animal Law Sections discussed the background and legalities of the live export of horses in Canada for slaughter. Sinikka Crosland, Dr. Rebecca Ledger, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Jann Arden, and Rebeka Breder also covered animal welfare concerns and the people trying to end the live export of horses in Canada.

Essential Law and Practice Points for Serving Two-Spirit & Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ Clients

CBABC SOGIC and the Aboriginal Lawyers Forum hosted Tuma Young, QC, and Carly Teillet who shared insights on respectfully engaging with Two-Spirit and Indigenous 2SLGBTQIA+ clients and colleagues, and the pressing legal issues facing these communities across Canada.

View this session On-Demand.

\ EMAIL: SECTIONS@CBABC.ORG

SOGIC UPDATE — by Lee (Lisa) MG Nevens (they/them)

We’re Not There Yet: Hate Doesn’t Let Up, So Neither Can We

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, Biphobia, and other anti-2SLGBTQIA+1 hate is a day to raise awareness about ongoing violence and discrimination against 2SLGBTQIA+ people and communities, both globally and here at home.

This year’s theme, “Our Bodies, Our Lives, Our Rights,” aptly summarises the many facets of the struggle faced by our communities — from having agency over our own bodies to openly loving who we love; from being free from harassment to being free from targeted violence and incarceration.

According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association’s 2020 report on state-sponsored homophobia:

„ 67 countries have criminal provisions against consensual same-sex “conduct” with punishment ranging from incarceration to the death penalty; „ at least 42 countries have legal barriers to freedom of expression on issues related to sexual and gender diversity; and „ at least 51 countries have legal barriers to registering or operating organisations working on sexual and gender diversity issues. Not captured in this data is the rash of anti-trans legislation in the United States and beyond, targeting access to everything from vital gender-affirming medical care, to washrooms, to participation in sports.

Canada is not immune from this hate and its repercussions.

The past few years have demonstrated not only that hate and ignorance are alive and well in Canada, but that it can be weaponized for political gain. As we’ve seen around the world, when that happens 2SLGBTQIA+ people — our bodies, our lives, and our rights — are in grave danger of being further attacked for political ends.

So what do we do?

We redouble our education and advocacy efforts. We remain steadfast in our commitment to human rights for all. We build communities of respect, resilience, and support. The struggle for freedom from discrimination is not a one-off battle, but a life-long commitment animated by principle and powered by love. So we don’t stop. We can’t afford to.

1 2-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, intersex, asexual, and other minority or marginalised sexual orientations, sex characteristics, and gender identities and expressions.

WLF UPDATE by Cherisse Friesen

Save the Date — On the Path to Equity for Women in Law

Lawyers and law students are invited to attend On the Path to Equity for Women in Law virtual event on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. Co-hosted by the International Association of Women Judges, CBABC, and the Law Society of BC, the event will highlight the progress that women lawyers in British Columbia have made on the path to equity so far and tackle existing barriers to progress. Participants will hear from a panel of diverse women lawyers about some of the challenges and triumphs they’ve experienced and their tips for success, as well as have a choice to attend breakout discussions on retention and representation, pay equity, career progression, childcare, maternity, eldercare, sexual harassment, discrimination, and flexible and remote work.