FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 12, 2010

OTTAWA – René Basque of Moncton has been named winner of the Canadian Bar Association’s (CBA) Douglas Miller Award. The award will be presented by CBA President Kevin Carroll, Q.C., of Barrie, Ontario, at the 2010 Mid-Winter Meeting of Council on Feb. 13.

René Basque practises corporate and civil litigation with Actus Law Droit in Moncton. An active and enthusiastic CBA member for more than two decades, René embodies the spirit of bilingualism that defines the CBA.

“René is an individual who is not afraid to stand up for his beliefs,” says CBA President Kevin Carroll. “He is responsible for bringing simultaneous translation to Board of Directors meetings at our national association, thereby allowing members to express their views in the language of their choice.”

Known for his “joie de vivre” and sense of humour, René Basque is a natural leader who consistently earns the respect of his colleagues. He participates vigorously in debate and never hesitates to express his views in all matters affecting the association.

A past president of CBA-New Brunswick, René Basque has sat on the National Board of Directors, the Awards Committee and on the Canadian Bar Insurance Association. He is an adjudicator under the Canada Labour Code, and has lectured at the Bar Admission course and at the Université de Moncton Faculty of Law.

The award presentation takes place at the President’s Dinner on Feb. 13 in the Ballroom of the Fairmont Château Laurier in Ottawa. On the agenda for the two-day meeting are the launch of the CBA’s Class Action Task Force, and a report on audit rules for lawyers and accountants. Policy resolutions being debated deal with harmonization of pension legislation across Canada and a denunciation of Uganda’s Anti-Homosexuality Bill, 2009.

Sessions are open to accredited media. Council meets at the Fairmont Château Laurier in the Adam Room on Feb. 13 and 14. Accreditation may be obtained by contacting Hannah Bernstein at 613-797-6322 from Feb. 12 to 14.

The Douglas Miller Award honours the late Doug Miller of Yellowknife, a former president of the Association’s Northwest Territories Branch and a very active CBA member who passed away in 1994. The award recognizes a CBA member who demonstrates outstanding dedication and team spirit.

The Canadian Bar Association is dedicated to support for the rule of law, and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 37,000 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.