Ottawa, September 1, 2023 – John Stefaniuk, K.C. of Winnipeg begins his year-long tenure as the 95th President of the Canadian Bar Association today, taking the helm of the 127-year-old Association of more than 38,000 lawyers, notaries, law professors and law students across Canada. He succeeds Steeves Bujold of Montreal. Lynne M. J. Vicars of Toronto begins her term as Vice-President.
Called to the bar in Manitoba in 1988, John Stefaniuk is a partner with the Winnipeg-based law firm of Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP. His involvement in the Canadian Bar Association is extensive: he has served as President of the Manitoba Bar Association, as Chair of the National Environment, Energy and Resource Law Section, and in several other national leadership roles. He has been an active volunteer in the CBA International Initiatives/Global Affairs Canada SIRD project in East Africa advancing the rights of women and their communities in extractive resource development, and he served as a member of the CBA’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force.
The CBA Board of Directors also welcomes new members: Bianca Kratt K.C. of Alberta, Ken Mandzuik of Manitoba and Loreley Berra Chekay K.C. of Saskatchewan. They join Board members who are entering the second year of their two-year terms: Ken Armstrong K.C. of British Columbia, Carley Parish K.C. of New Brunswick, Shirley Walsh of Newfoundland & Labrador, Tuma Young K.C. of Nova Scotia, Tom Ullyett of Yukon, Kelly McLaughlin of the Northwest Territories, Jordan Brown of Prince Edward Island and Audrey Boctor of Quebec.
Quotes
“My foremost priority is serving our members who advocate for the legal profession, shape legislation, drive law reform and work to improve our systems of justice. But I also want to focus on three key areas: protecting the rule of law at home and abroad; improving inclusion in the profession; and encouraging involvement and giving back to the profession and to our communities.”
“The CBA has long been a defender of the rule of law and of judicial independence, a strong advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, and a progressive actor in the promotion of human rights. I offer my service to you as your President and I look forward to all the work we can accomplish together in the year to come.”
- CBA President John Stefaniuk
Quick Facts
- John Stefaniuk, K.C. earned his law degree at the University of Manitoba.
- He was called to the bar in Manitoba in 1988.
- He has been president of the Manitoba Bar Association in 2005-2006, and served in several CBA roles in the past, including: Chair of the National Environmental Law Section, Chair of the Judicial Issues Subcommittee, Chair of the Investment Steering Subcommittee, member of the Supreme Court Liaison Committee, director of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association, and co-chair of 3 national conferences and the local committee for the 2005 Canadian Legal Conference.
- Active volunteer in the CBA International Initiatives/Global Affairs Canada SIRD (Supporting Inclusive Resource Development) project in East Africa.
Related links
The Canadian Bar Association
CBA’s Board of Directors
About the Canadian Bar Association
The CBA is dedicated to support the rule of law and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 38,000 lawyers, notaries in Quebec, judges, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members.
For more information, contact:
Vanessa Racine
Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs
613-237-2925 x153
vanessar@cba.org