For Immediate Release
July 14, 2008
OTTAWA – Poet, educator, historian, and one of the great voices of contemporary literature, Maya Angelou will deliver the keynote address at the opening plenary session of the CBA’s 2008 Canadian Legal Conference in Quebec City on Aug. 17.
“Maya Angelou’s views on themes of justice and human rights are sure to inspire us,” says CBA President Bernard Amyot of Montreal. “At the same time, our members are also looking forward to hearing from Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations, and Justice Minister Rob Nicholson.”
The Chief Justice addresses CBA Council, the Association’s policy-making body on Saturday morning, Aug. 16, and will hold a news conference immediately following her remarks. During the balance of the Council meeting over the next day-and-a-half, the CBA will debate policy resolutions.
Also on Saturday, Aug. 16, the CBA will release its report on conflicts of interest. Following a year and a half of in-depth research, nationwide consultations and extensive deliberations, the task force’s 250-page report will offer recommendations to address the difficulties with the current conflicts rules.
The Chief Justice will also address members at the opening plenary on Aug. 17. Federal Justice Minister Rob Nicholson will address CBA members, and then take their questions, on Monday, Aug. 18. Former Prime Minister Jean Chrétien and Phil Fontaine of the Assembly of First Nations will speak at the breakfast sessions on Aug. 18 and 19 respectively.
The wide-ranging roster of CBA programs includes sessions on reasonable accommodation, children and the law, health-related class action suits, and recruiting temporary workers. Full program details are available on the CBA website.
Beginning on Monday, Aug. 18 and continuing for two days, the CBA rolls out continuing education programs for lawyers, judges and in-house counsel. The theme of this year’s Canadian Corporate Counsel Association’s (CCCA) program is Corporate Counsel: Building the Foundation for Success. The keynote speaker for the CCCA closing luncheon on Aug. 19 is Mr. Justice Ian Binnie of the Supreme Court of Canada. Program details can be found on the CCCA website.
The Justicia Award for outstanding media coverage of legal issues will be presented at the Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Aug. 16. The Young Lawyers Pro Bono Award for outstanding service to the community will be presented at the closing luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
A ceremony to mark the transfer of the presidency from outgoing President Bernard Amyot of Montreal to incoming President Guy Joubert of Winnipeg takes place at the closing luncheon on Tuesday, Aug. 19.
Sessions are open to accredited media. CBA programs take place at the Quebec Convention Centre; CCCA programs are at the Hilton Quebec. The Media Centre is located in Room 2102B of the Quebec Convention Centre, with the Communications Office in Room 2103.
Accreditation may be obtained by contacting the CBA National Office in Ottawa at 613-237-2925, ext. 146/155. The Communications Office in Quebec City will be open from Friday, Aug. 15 at noon until Tuesday, Aug. 19 at noon (tel: 418-649-5218).
The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.
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CONTACT: Hannah Bernstein, Canadian Bar Association, tel: 613-237-2925, ext. 146; e-mail: hannahb@cba.org. Aug. 15-19: 418-649-5218.
