This week marks the last week of my term as CBA President. As a proud member of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, one of my priorities was to address the inequalities and discrimination experienced by members of my community, and more specifically by trans, non-binary and gender diverse people in Canada. Although much still needs to be done, I am proud of the work done by the CBA and other members of the legal community on that front over the past year.
In particular, I would like to thank the members of the Presidential Advisory Group on Inclusion of and Access to Justice for Trans, Non-Binary and Gender-Diverse People (GDAG) for their ongoing work to advance gender equality and inclusiveness. Created after the release of the report Access to Justice for Trans People, the GDAG’s mandate is to advise the CBA on the initiatives, programs and policies the Association should be putting forward to address the issues faced by the members of trans, non-binary and gender diverse communities in Canada. The group is finalising a list of recommendations, ranging from advocacy to education. We look forward to reviewing these recommendations.
The CBA is committed to creating inclusive spaces for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people within the CBA and the legal profession. We aim to lead by example in the legal profession. With the GDAG’s recommendations, the CBA hopes to create a more welcoming and safer community for trans, non-binary and gender diverse people.
I have said it often in the past year, but I believe that as leaders of Canada’s legal community, we have a duty to defend and protect the rights of the most disadvantaged people in our society. I look forward to seeing my successor John Stefaniuk continue this important work, as we strive to make our profession and our justice systems inclusive for everyone.