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Law Times • JuLy 13/20, 2009 NEWS Bridging program a first for Canada BY KELLY HARRIS Law Times F oreign-trained lawyers ac- credited and able to practise in Ontario off er a chance to create a diverse workplace and expand the legal talent pool, says Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP man- aging partner Chris Pinnington. Pinnington was part of the recent unveiling of the country's fi rst bridging program for for- eign-trained lawyers at the Uni- versity of Toronto. Th e interna- tionally trained lawyers program is a collaboration of the Ontario government and the U of T Fac- ulty of Law and will begin ac- crediting foreign-trained lawyers in the spring of 2010. "Broadening the diversity of our workplace also broadens our insight and perspective," says Pin- nington. "Which in turn enhances our ability to provide our clients, increasingly international clients, with the best possible advice and service, and in a small way re- sponds to our clients' own realities and expectations of diversity." FMC is one of 10 law fi rms that have agreed to work with the bridging program to develop internship opportunities for the internationally trained lawyers. Th e fi rm began its own intern- ship program earlier this year, and sees the ITL program as an opportunity to build on it. "I see this [ITL program] as complimentary," Pinnington says. "And very much in the spirit of seeking the best legal minds and the best legal talent in a Canadian legal community that is increasingly globalized." FMC's fi rst intern Amrit Soar, holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and practised law in that coun- try for 20 years, 10 years as a de- partment head, before coming to Canada in 2007. "It has been a great thing in- ternally as well for our team to understand the depth of poten- tial and opportunity this type of internship can off er," Pinnington says. "We are keenly interested in expanding our internship program to other offi ces across Canada." Prior to the ITL program, foreign-trained lawyers wish- ing to practise law in Ontario would have to go through the national committee on accredi- tation program administered by the Federation of Law Societies. Th e NCA program has been in existence since 1976 and has ac- credited 1,245 foreign-trained lawyers through challenge ex- ams. Most of those trained have come from England, the United States, India, and Quebec. One of the keys to success of the new U of T program is the internship opportunity, says Sow- mya Vishwanatha, a committee member of the internationally trained lawyers working group. She says one of the greatest obsta- cles foreign-trained lawyers wish- ing to practise law in Ontario has been access to the job market. Th e partnership the new program has with high-profi le fi rms like FMC will provide the opportunity for foreign-trained lawyers. "Th e general thinking about most of the NCAs is that you get through your NCA exams but you Martins Annual 2010 (LT 1-2x4).indd 1 Includes the full text of Martin's Annual Criminal Code, 2010 Edition Tried, trusted and true Still the number one choice for judges and practitioners. Fully annotated by two of Canada's most respected criminal law experts, Martin's continues to deliver the best value with the highest quality content. Martin's references 4,988 reported and unreported cases in a practical and accessible format. Valuable features include: • all Acts fully annotated with more significant cases analyzed than any other annotated • balanced analysis from a renowned lawyer and respected judge • FREE legislative updates for standing order subscribers • practical and easy-to-use format regularly referred to in court by judges and lawyers • forms of charges for the Grid — unique to Martin's and the , as well as an Offence • concordance with recent amendments • New! The CD-ROM contains the full text of Martin's Annual Criminal Code, 2010 Edition with search templates, links from legislation to commentary, links to forms and cases, Microsoft Word™ fillable forms, and an Index to Forms for the • e-notes – e-mailed to you directly with updates containing legislative changes as they become available (for standing order subscribers) Also available electronically on Criminal Spectrum Order your copy today! Hardbound & CD-ROM • 2,374 pp. • Published August each year • Standing order $91 P/C 0635140000 • Current edition only $96 • P/C 0635010000 • ISSN 0527-7892 are not able to get a job and what are you going to do?" says Vishwa- natha. "But when fi rms like this come up and say, 'We have oppor- tunities for you,' it is very motivat- ing and it is very helpful." Federation of Law Societ- ies president Stéphane Rivard says the program is a timely one considering the number of foreign-trained lawyers seeking accreditation in Canada. "Over the past 100 years or so the number of individuals wish- ing to pursue [the NCA] route has been steadily rising," Rivard says. "Something which makes the cre- ation of this type of bridging pro- gram like the one at the University of Toronto very timely. It will be the fi rst such program in Canada, but one hopes it will not be the last." Th e ITL program aims to ac- credit 90 to 100 lawyers in its fi rst year. Th e Ontario govern- ment has committed $4 million in one-time funding as part of a $38-million bridge-training pro- gram fund through the Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration to launch the ITL program. "Helping newcomers succeed in their fi eld of training is a pri- ority of our government," says Michael Chan, Ontario Minis- ter of Citizenship and Immigra- tion. "Th eir full participation in our economy is vital to our prov- ince's economic growth." A number of stakeholder groups have also helped develop the bridging program. this program, the fi rst of its kind in the country," says U of T facul- ty of law dean Mayo Moran. "In keeping with our role as a leader in legal education we are thrilled to begin to develop this. "We could not have done it obviously without the generous support of the minister, but also without some key partners who all joined together with some to access the Ontario bar. "We are convinced that it will be of great assistance to interna- tionally trained lawyers," he says. "It will provide comprehensive and detailed information about processes, stakeholders, and the Ontario legal landscape, aca- demic skills training, and em- ployment experience, and men- torship opportunities." We are convinced that it will be of great assistance to internationally trained lawyers. It will provide comprehensive and detailed information about processes, stakeholders, and the Ontario legal landscape, academic skills training, and employment experience, and mentorship opportunities. Services for those participat- ing in the ITL program include an information centre, academic training, language referrals, work- place experience, career services, employment counselling, and membership in an information centre association. Th e workplace experience will include volunteer and paid job placements. "As the minister said we are very, very excited to be establishing great enthusiasm to not only ad- dress a problem, but also to cre- ate a great new source of strength for Ontario, and for Canada." Law Society of Upper Canada treasurer Derry Millar says sup- port for the bridging program is in keeping with the society's commitment made at Convo- cation in 2008. He believes the bridging program will enhance foreign-trained lawyers' ability Th e ITL program is still in the development stages, and will begin off ering classes and pro- grams to students in the spring of 2010. Applications for the program will be accepted start- ing in the fall of 2009. Th ose interested are being asked to check the U of T faculty of law web site in September for infor- mation about entrance require- ments and costs. LT PAGE 5 Martin's Annual Criminal Code, 2010 Edition For a 30-day, no-risk evaluation call: 1.800.263.2037 Canada Law Book is a Division of The Cartwright Group Ltd. Prices subject to change without notice, to applicable taxes and shipping & handling. www.lawtimesnews.com 7/8/09 1:59:33 PM LT0713 The Honourable Justice Marc Rosenberg, Court of Appeal for Ontario W ith annotations by Edward L. Greenspan and Criminal Code Controlled Drugs and Substances Act Criminal Code Criminal Code