A warm welcome and happy holidays to all members of our section. I am honoured to be serving as your Chair for the 2025-26 year. We have an exciting year ahead, and I encourage everyone to get involved.
2026 will feature a number of CPD opportunities. We are pleased to announce that we are hosting an Elder Law Symposium on March 26, 2026. The 2026 Elder Law Symposium discusses the latest in elder law practice, including a cross-country legislative update. The symposium will highlight access to justice issues for older adults, including collaborative law and consent and capacity tribunals. The symposium will also discuss current technology issues, including how to prevent crypto fraud, and the increasing use of technology to help older adults live at home longer.
Additionally, we are planning two webinars. The first will cover litigation guardians, following the release of a series of papers covering litigation guardian rules for each jurisdiction. The second will address access to justice, developed in collaboration with the French Speaking Common-Law Members Section.
Our advocacy committee recently sent a welcome letter to the new Secretary of State for Seniors letting her know about the work of our section and our interest in the previous bills addressing coercive control and neglect of vulnerable adults in long-term care.
If you want to get more involved, we encourage any section member to submit member articles and send us suggestions for future CPD events.
Keep an eye out for several opportunities for students to get involved. We are planning on more student outreach events to encourage the next generation to consider working in elder law. We will also be hosting our annual student essay contest in the spring.
We are always looking to expand our small but mighty section. Please encourage other lawyers you know to join our section.
I would like this opportunity to thank Nithila Murgudas, our Past Chair, for her wonderful leadership over the past year. And thank you to the executive for all the passion and hard work you bring to the section.
Warm wishes,
Sara Pon