The Canadian Bar Association was saddened to learn of the Dec. 12, 2019 death of Jean Bazin, Q.C., at the age of 79. He served the Canadian legal profession, his country and our Association during his long career.
Mr. Bazin was president from 1987-88, during which time he oversaw the finalization of a number of initiatives aimed at revitalizing the CBA, including a multi-year reorganization effort for the Association as a whole, as well as an organizational review of the national office. During his term the CBA also completed its work on a modern Code of Professional Conduct for lawyers.
After being called to the bar in Quebec in 1986, Mr. Bazin joined the law firm Byers Casgrain (now Dentons), where he spent his entire career, working as an arbitrator in commercial matters and as a mediator. He was named Queen’s Counsel in 1984. Appointed by former prime minister Brian Mulroney to the Senate of Canada, he served in the Red Chamber from 1986 until 1989, sitting on a number of committees, including those working in the areas of energy and natural resources and foreign affairs.
A personal priority for Mr. Bazin during his term as CBA president was access to justice. In Quebec he will be remembered for setting up the Bureau de l’assistance judiciaire du Barreau de Montréal (Legal Aid Office of the Bar of Montreal), now known as Aide juridique (Legal Aid).
The CBA extends its condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.