Law Times

PAGE 8 April 11, 2011 • lAw Times SPECIAL REPORT Groups put diversity on campaign agenda Survey quizzes candidates on improving equity in the profession BY MICHAEL McKIERNAN Law Times coalition of equity-seek- put diversity issues at the heart of this year's Law Society of Upper Canada election. Th e bencher candidate equity sur- A vey, which quizzes candidates on their approach to equality and diversity, was distributed on behalf of the Federation of Asian Canadian Lawyers, the Ontario Bar Association's sexual orientation and gender identity section, the Women's Law Association of Ontario, the South Asian Bar Association, the Canadian Association of Black Lawyers, the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association, and the Hispanic Ontario Lawyer Association. Together, the groups are represented on the LSUC's equity advisory group. Kathryn Hendrikx, who represents the Women's Law Association on the LSUC advisory group, says the idea for the survey came during brainstorming meetings on the elections. "Th e concept was to promote within the organizations to give some added ex- posure or lift to candidates that were ad- vocates of equity and access to justice," she says. "We realized that some of these candidates had limited access to main- stream promotions. We also wanted to elevate the issues of equity and access to justice and felt that a cohesive approach could create a stronger message." Milé Komlen, director of human rights and equity services at McMaster University, says it was important to put the diversity issue on the agenda. "We have discussed these issues in the past and we've talked about how to increase the ability of diverse groups or individ- uals to run for election, but this is the fi rst formal initiative done by a coali- tion of groups to make sure it gets on the agenda. Whether or not there is a diversity of candidates in this election, just the fact of making equity and di- versity an election issue is an important fi rst step in achieving greater equality." Jason Leung, president of the Asian law- yers' federation, says he has been impressed with the level of discussion related to equity so far in the election campaign. He sees the 'It's a nice step forward in comparison to the last bencher election where really nothing like this came through,' says Jason Leung. survey as a chance to capitalize on the inter- est. "It's a nice step forward in comparison to the last bencher election where really nothing like this came through," he says. "Th is time around, many of the candidates include something in their platform related to wanting to increase diversity within the legal profession." In addition, the survey is a good way to nail down some of the vague pro- nouncements on the issue and ensure candidates are doing more than just paying lip service to the problems faced by lawyers from equity-seeking groups, Leung adds. "We're very happy that it's a more prominent issue than before, but at the same time, it's very easy to just say, 'I want to increase diversity.' What we would like to fi nd out is what in your past shows you have a history of making this a priority and what ideas do you have for making it go forward." Th e survey demands details as candidates are asked to give "concrete examples that you have personally im- plemented to ensure greater diversity in the legal profession" as well as three sug- gestions "regarding the role the law so- ciety can and should play in addressing discrimination and gender inequality." Other questions ask for the candi- dates' defi nition of equity, an assess- ment of the law society's retention of women in private practice eff ort, and the relevance of their life experiences to representing the diverse populations within the legal profession. "It's pointed," Leung admits. "But I think that increases accountability and also increases the motivation on their end to turn their words into actions." Leung says the survey results will be an important factor as he decides which candidates are worthy of his votes this month. In his view, the entire communi- ty benefi ts when equity-seeking groups are well represented in the profession. "Lawyers need to represent the general population," he says. "Th ere are diff er- ent cultural groups who understand, think, and communicate in diff erent ways. When we have a more diverse bar, we will have more of an opportunity to provide lawyers to the general popula- tion that will understand their needs, that will understand the way they com- municate and the way they think." Th e groups will publish each candi- date's responses on a web site, bencher- survey.com, as they arrive. Candidates have been given a deadline of April 12, but Komlen says the replies have already fl ooded in. "People are taking it seriously. Th e re- sponses we've seen so far indicate they're thinking about these issues." ing groups has circulated a survey to all bencher can- didates in an attempt to www.lawtimesnews.com

• Cover
• Great Businessman
• Election Special
• Focus On Class Actions