COVER STORY (VOL. 21, NO. 1)
In the February issue of BarTalk, the cover story reported on reductions and elimination of a number of Legal Services Society services. These recent cuts were not the result of any reduction in government funding, but rather the result of decreased revenue from other sources such as the Notaries Foundation (due the current economy), and increased demand beyond the available budget for family law, immigration and criminal law cases.

CHARLIE DON’T SKATE – TONY WILSON (VOL. 21, NO. 1)
I was born and raised in the North of England. I was raised in an atmosphere of unquestioning support for the monarchy. As a little lad, I attended a street party for the Charles and Diana marriage. At cubs, I learned the entire National Anthem. I even gave Princess Anne a clock (why is another story) when she visited our school (if memory serves, she was “opening” it – it was, of course, about a dozen years old at the time). For many years, I was a good little subject.

And so to Mr. Wilson’s column. First off, don’t get me wrong. I am anti-monarchy.

The fact is that there is much more that binds GBR and N. Ire to Canada than not. A small thing like the underpinnings of the legal system, for starters. And then there’s the really important stuff, such as TV (BBC World / Canada anyone?). It might not be hockey (though there are many Canadians plying their trade in the Elite League). And it might not be polo. (But who in the UK does play polo? None of my mates, that’s for sure.) But there are real ties that indeed bind. Perhaps that’s why Mr. Wilson reads the UK papers.

The problem is, simply, the monarchy itself. The world has out-grown it. It’s an anachronism. But if that was its worst offence, it could perhaps be tolerated. But it’s not. Far from it. Frankly, in a nutshell, the monarchy sends the wrong message. It perpetuates the scandal of hereditary power, and the culture of upper-class entitlement that comes along with it.

So, in the interest of clarity, I fully support Mr. Wilson’s call for the removal of the monarchy from Canadian life. Just for very different reasons. Let the constitutional debate begin. It’s about time.

– Nick Hopewell

CHARLIE DON’T SKATE – TONY WILSON (VOL. 21, NO. 1)
I was surprised and disappointed to read Tony Wilson’s column entitled, “Charlie Don’t Skate,” in the February 2009 issue of BarTalk. I was surprised because it did not appear that the subject of Mr. Wilson’s column, whether Canada should keep the monarchy, had anything to do with the mandate of the British Columbia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association or with the practice of law in British Columbia. I was disappointed because, unlike most of Mr. Wilson’s editorials, it was not funny. While I respect that Mr. Wilson is perfectly entitled to his views on the monarchy, I do not see why these views should be expressed in a publication of the CBABC. I presume that Mr. Wilson’s views do not reflect the official position of the Canadian Bar Association on this issue. In fact, I would imagine that the CBA, quite correctly, has no position on this issue as it has nothing to do with the practice of law and is a purely political issue. It would be preferable if the CBABC tried to keep a more neutral stance on such political issues by not giving voice to proponents of one side or the other.

– Oliver Wilson

CHARLIE DON’T SKATE – TONY WILSON (VOL. 21, NO. 1)
I read with interest Tony Wilson’s comments on Canada’s long historical ties with England and his view that they no longer have value. I applaud BarTalk for allowing differing opinions on important issues such as who we should and shouldn’t develop alliances with. Mr. Wilson’s view is one, but there are others.

Many Canadians have watched with dismay as Canada has pursued a unilateral association with the U.S. while excluding historical partners like the UK. An obvious example is the Security and Prosperity Partnership Agreement (SPP), formed with the Americans without democratic or parliamentary debate. This “alliance” has long-term consequences that Canadians should have a say in.

Canada was founded on a respect for democracy and the rule of law, which has recently been weakened by financial interests and political parties that seem to have forgotten that Canada is a sovereign nation. These policies are now being questioned by lawyers (and citizens) across B.C. The recent U.S. financial meltdown is further warning that placing all of our apples in the American basket poses risk. Many of our social and legislative institutions originate from the UK, including our parliamentary democracy itself. We share many values with the Commonwealth that are worth preserving.

Two final points: at the end of Mr. Wilson’s article BarTalk is asking lawyers to send a copy “to your MP, your MLA and the media.” This appears to be crossing a line from publishing an opinion piece to promoting one. As a member of the CBA, I don’t agree our multidisciplined organization should “take sides” on this policy debate (or any other debate for that matter).

Lastly, please update Mr. Wilson’s photo. The image of Mr. Wilson in the print BarTalk is out of date with Mr. Wilson’s current appearance (sans beard).

Thanks for permitting lawyers to share their views in an open and democratic fashion!

– Jeff Jones, Port McNeill, B.C.

LETTERS FROM AMERICA – TONY WILSON (VOL. 20, NO. 6)
I have been reading Tony Wilson’s “stuff” for years. We were at law school at about the same time, and his wife is my partner. From that perspective, we were both lucky. That’s one reason why I read what he writes.

Anyway, I must say that Tony’s recent article about America was provocative, interesting, crafty, and clever. I really enjoyed it. I think it’s the best Wilson stuff yet.

Keep up the good work. By the way, the “new look” is good....

– David Greig

CHARLIE DON’T SKATE – TONY WILSON (VOL. 21, NO. 1)
It was with great interest that I read Tony Wilson's February article, ''Nothing Official - Charlie Don't Skate." Your footer suggested that if readers agreed with him, they should send a corresponding note to their elected representatives, and if not, then to write to BarTalk. No doubt, this will result in BarTalk receiving a disproportionate number of dissenting opinions, and I am writing to endorse Tony's view.

It has nothing at all to do with turning our back on contributions that have been made by the many important institutions and ideas that Canada has imported from the United Kingdom. Those will always remain woven in the core our national fabric, just as they have across the world in formerly colonial lands. It has everything to do with the evolution of our national identity during the reign of Queen Elizabeth and the contemporary relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom. Neither justifies the head of state of one of those countries continuing to have a constitutionally entrenched role at the apex of the other's federal and provincial governments. Canada is mature enough for every branch of government to have a completely Canadian character. And, as every estates lawyer will tell you, we should take steps now to plan for inevitable passages in life, including an end to the current monarch's reign.

- Anonymous

Send your "Letters to the Editor" to bartalk@bccba.org.

These letters were published in the April 2009 issue of BarTalk.