Just as Canadians make preparations for winter well ahead of time, the CBA is preparing for its 2020 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, February 19. CBA members have a role to play in the success of the AGM, by submitting and debating resolutions that shape the association’s policies and governance.
The deadline for resolutions to be submitted is Monday, December 9, 2019.
The resolutions passed at the AGM in February determine the association’s position on current legal issues and governance. Resolutions should relate to the CBA’s mandate, which means they should:
- improve the law or the administration of justice;
- improve and promote access to justice;
- promote equality in the legal profession and the justice system;
- improve and promote the knowledge, skills, ethical standards and well-being of members of the legal profession;
- represent the legal profession nationally and internationally; or
- promote the interests of the members of the CBA.
Resolutions cannot exceed 300 words and must include:
- the preamble (if any), giving concise, factual information about the nature of the problem or reason for the action being requested; and
- a resolving clause, clearly outlining the action to be taken.
Other supporting information must be included in the form for submitting resolutions. Resolutions may be submitted to Tamra L. Thomson, Executive Director, Advocacy, by email (tamrat@cba.org), or by mail (Canadian Bar Association, 66 Slater St., Suite 1200, Ottawa, ON K1P 5H1).
The next stage of the resolutions process starts in mid-January, when the resolutions are posted online, each with its own discussion board. Any member can log in and post comments. Members will also be able to post documents to support their arguments on the board. Amendments must be submitted by January 31, 2020.
In 2019, the CBA members approved resolutions to include a definition of diversity in the bylaws, disclosure of non-conviction records, and the need to safeguard family law research. In 2018, resolutions were passed to: establish a national commissioner for children and youth; protect LGBTI2S human rights worldwide; adopt a protocol for multi-jurisdictional class actions; and make the Canadian Constitution fully bilingual.