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The Touchstone Award celebrates the accomplishments of an individual or an organization who has excelled in promoting equality in the legal profession, the judiciary, or the legal community in Canada. The award recognizes successful promotion or furthering of equality at the national level and/or a significant contribution relating to race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other diversity issues in the recipient’s community. Co-sponsors for the 2012 Touchstone Award are Robert C. Brun, Q.C. and LawyerLocate.ca

Details Eligibility Presentation The Award is presented annually at the Touchstone Reception held as part of the CBA Canadian Legal Conference in August. Candidates are responsible for their travel and accommodation expenses to the presentation. Candidates shall be individuals or organizations who are connected to the legal profession, the judiciary, or the legal community in Canada; There are no posthumous awards; Current members of the Equality Committee and the Awards Committee are not eligible for this award. Criteria Consideration will be given to candidates who have successfully undertaken a national initiative to advance equality; and/or Consideration will be given to candidates who have worked on race, gender, disability, sexual orientation or other diversity issues in their community; and/or Consideration will be given to candidates who have championed issues of equality within the institutions of the legal profession, including the CBA, the Law Societies, the judiciary, or law schools; and/or Consideration will be given to candidates who have been involved in litigating important equality issues; and Consideration will be given to past recipients to ensure a balance is maintained between organizations and individuals.  Nomination Procedure Nominations shall take the form of a letter stating the reasons for the candidate's nomination; For individuals, a curriculum vitae shall be included with the nomination; The full name, address, telephone fax and e-mail information of both the nominee and the nominator shall be included with the nomination. Completed application packages must be submitted to the Touchstone Award, c/o Lorraine Prezeau, Canadian Bar Association, 865 Carling Avenue, Suite 500, Ottawa, K1S 5S8. Deadline for Applications: May 1, 2012 Selection Process The Award is administered by the Selection Committee of the Equality Committee. Award The Award takes the form of a soapstone sculpture which resides at the National Office in Ottawa. A framed replica of the award will be presented to the winner. Award Winners 2011 - Patricia Blacksom, Q.C. (Calgary, AB) 2010 - Dalhousie University’s IB & M Initiative (Halifax, NS) 2009 - Kim Pate (Ottawa, ON) 2008 - Judge Corrine Sparks (Dartmouth, NS) 2007 - Margaret Ostrowski, Q.C. (Vancouver, BC) 2006 - Daphne Dumont, Q.C. (Charlottetown, PEI) 2005 - Judge Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré (Montréal, QC) 2004 - Sandra Jakab (Vancouver, BC) 2003 - Claire L’Heureux-Dubé (Québec, QC) 2002 - Yvonne Peters (Winnipeg, MB) 2001 - Mr. Justice René Dussault (Sillery, QC) 2000 - Professor Kathleen Mahoney (Calgary, AB) 1999 - Kathy Louis, Regional Vice Chair, National Parole Board (Pacific Division, BC ) 1998 - Sheila Greckol (Edmonton, AB) 1997 - Madam Justice Cecilia Johnstone (Edmonton, AB) 1996 - Madam Justice Rosalie Abella (Toronto, ON)

Application Nomination Form  Deadline Deadline for Applications: The deadline for applications for the Touchstone Award is May 1, 2012.  Contact Rebecca Bromwich rebeccab@cba.org