As Chair of the Constitutional and Human Rights Section, I welcome you to the Section and invite you to get to know our executive. I am pleased to take on the role after a successful year under Veronica Jackson, who has recently been appointed to the British Columbia Supreme Court. Congratulations to her!
I am privileged to be a constitutional litigator at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law where I am the director of the David Asper Centre for Constitutional Rights. I know that a few of our members can say that they focus primarily on constitutional or human rights law, but we have a strong interest from a wide spectrum of practices. The Section is the place where lawyers from a number of practice areas can learn about and participate in activities. The Section contributes to national policy, comments on legislative initiatives and is often consulted on a broad range of legal issues that touch on constitutional and human rights law.
Our executive members have contributed to the CBA End-of-Life Working Group and have recently provided input into submissions respecting proposed changes to the Divorce Act as well as advocating for a fully bilingual constitution.
The Section has several committees and would welcome expressions of interest from those wanting to get involved. You can assist with planning webinars, contribute to our advocacy efforts and write something for our Section communications.
The Section wishes to formally invite you to get involved:
Our Section values diversity and welcomes members from a variety of practice areas and regions. We strongly encourage young lawyers to get involved.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Cheryl Milne
Chair, CBA Constitutional and Human Rights Section