Ottawa — Chief Justice Beverley McLachlin, federal Justice Minister Peter MacKay (TBC), Newfoundland entrepreneur Zita Cobb, and Cirque du Soleil’s former creative director Lyn Heward are keynote speakers at the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) Legal Conference in St. John’s August 14-17.
The Chief Justice will address CBA’s Council, the Association’s policy-making body, on Thursday morning, August 14. Following her comments, she will hold an informal media briefing session, open to accredited media.
During the balance of the Council meeting August 14, the CBA will debate policy resolutions on subjects including wrongful convictions, advancing public safety, and on technology and legal aid to improve access to justice.
Federal Minister of Justice Peter MacKay will hold a dialogue with members of the CBA on Friday, August 15 (TBC) where CBA members have the opportunity to raise issues of mutual concern with the Minister.
The theme of the conference is Converging Futures as the CBA comes together to focus on what the legal practice of tomorrow will look like. On Friday, August 15, Lyn Heward will address the conference’s opening plenary. Based on her experiences at Cirque du Soleil, she will offer practical advice on risk-taking, leadership, teamwork, and fostering a dynamic and creative corporate culture.
CBC’s Rex Murphy will host a breakfast session offering introductory remarks followed by an interactive discussion including a Q & A session. He will gather the audience’s perspectives on their future, experiences in the profession, and commentary on pathways forward.
Zita Cobb will offer her take on the future at the conference’s closing lunch on Sunday, August 17. Described as one of Canada’s richest women, she will describe how tradition and innovation can be leveraged, and provide her take on rebuilding for success by doing “old things a new way.”
Breakout sessions begin for Friday afternoon, August 15 through Sunday, August 17. Programs deal with military law – Legality of armed intervention/use of drones; Aboriginal law – Aboriginal engagement on natural resource projects; and privacy and access law – Cyberbullying and the Law; and high profile advocacy –Trying a case in the court of public opinion.
The conference takes place at the St. John’s Convention Centre, 101 New Gower Street. Most sessions are open to accredited media. For accreditation, please contact Hannah Bernstein at hannahb@cba.org. Program information is available online.
The CBA is dedicated to supporting the rule of law, improvements in the law, and the administration of justice. Some 37,500 lawyers, law teachers, and law students from across Canada are members.