Ottawa, February 3, 2026 – The Law Commission of Canada (LCC) and the Canadian Bar Association (CBA) are pleased to announce that Erik Pindera has been awarded the 2026 LCC-CBA Journalism Fellowship.
Erik is a reporter with the Winnipeg Free Press whose journalism focuses on justice issues, including the courts, corrections, law enforcement, and justice policy. He previously worked for Global Winnipeg and the Kenora Miner and News in Kenora, Ontario.
Through the Fellowship, he will produce a series of four feature articles exploring the challenges of access to justice in the north. While his pieces will focus on northern Manitoba, they will highlight issues related to logistics, infrastructure, resources, and cultural sensitivity that are expected to resonate with people in remote communities across Canada.
The LCC and CBA share a strong commitment to public legal education, law reform, and advancing thought leadership on emerging law and justice issues. By fostering greater public understanding of Canada’s institutions of law, justice, and democratic governance, the LCC-CBA Journalism Fellowship contributes to an informed, engaged and empowered society.
Quotes
“The Law Commission of Canada is delighted to continue its collaboration with the Canadian Bar Association in offering journalists an opportunity for in-depth exploration of underreported issues in law and justice relevant to the lives of people across Canada. As the LCC-CBA Journalism Fellow for 2026, Erik Pindera will bring to light stories from Northern Manitoba that illustrate some of the challenges and opportunities in remote communities across the country. I extend my warmest congratulations to Erik and look forward to learning from his work.”
- LCC President Shauna Van Praagh
“A free society requires both an independent, well-resourced justice system, and a population that understands it well enough to make informed critiques. That’s why, for the second year in a row, the Canadian Bar Association is proud to partner with the Law Commission of Canada to support journalism about law and justice issues – especially those that are often overlooked. Congratulations to this year’s fellow, Erik Pindera, whose reporting will remind us that, in this vast country, we need a justice system that works for every community, no matter how remote.”
- CBA President Bianca Kratt, K.C.
Quick Facts
- The LCC-CBA Journalism Fellowship is an initiative designed to support in-depth journalistic exploration of critical and emerging law and justice issues in Canada.
- Following initial publication, articles will be posted on the LCC and CBA websites, featured in CBA National Magazine, and shared across the networks of both organizations, reaching the Canadian legal community.
- A public engagement project based on the articles will be developed in collaboration with the LCC and CBA.
- The fellowship is valued at $40,000 CAD.
Related links
Law Commission of Canada
Canadian Bar Association
About the Law Commission of Canada
The LCC is an independent agency committed to engaging the people of Canada in the ongoing and dynamic evolution of law.
About the Canadian Bar Association
The CBA champions Canada’s legal profession and the rule of law in Canada. It is the largest association for legal professionals in the country, representing over 40,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, academics and students.