As this year’s Chair of the Section, I am looking forward to an exciting year. I am keen to work with this year’s Executive on behalf of Canadian families and family law lawyers to address substantive and practice issues in family law. I have big shoes to fill as Melanie Del Rizzo was amazing as last year’s Chair!
I have been practicing law for 33 years with a focus on family law for most of that time. The Canadian Bar Association has been an integral and valued part of my career. Accordingly, increasing membership is, and will always be, one of my primary goals.
Here is a glimpse of what’s ahead for us:
Annual Meeting
The Executive meeting will be held in Ottawa on November 29–30, in conjunction with meetings with representatives from the Department of Justice, Department of Finance and the Canada Revenue Agency. Our Section continues to advocate in many areas:
- To support the Rule of Law
- To create an environment of collegiality among those practicing within the legal profession
- Professional development
- All issues relating to access to justice
- Legal reform; e.g., Bill C-78
- Developing Family Law-friendly tax legislation, including amendments to regulations and forms
Our dedicated volunteers ensure our toolkits are always up to date and relevant for our members, and often for the general public too.
Webinars
Divorce Act Amendments: Highlights to Your Practice
This webinar offered an overview of one of the most extensive overhauls of the Divorce Act since its implementation in 1985. A summary of key changes and new approaches to family law in the wake of this major legislative amendment was sent to 277 participants. Missed it? You can purchase the recording!
Outreach
One of our priorities this year will be to increase membership, and we are very excited to announce that we will be at the National Family Law Conference in July 2020. Our Section has secured funding to promote our work and recruit new members in a place where most professionals will come together from across Canada!
Our success relies on your involvement, so I encourage you to get involved:
Not a member of the CBA Family Law Section? Join now.
I am excited to be Chair of the Section during this very dynamic and busy year for family law across the country.
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Jeffrey Wise, Q.C.
Chair, CBA Family Law Section
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