Law Times

LAW TIMES / AUGUST 11-18, 2008 BRIEF: CBA ANNUAL CONFERENCE Impressive roster of speakers on tap CBA conference in Quebec City BY KIRSTEN McMAHON For Law Times Quebec City an event of national and international scope — and the Canadian Bar Association's annual legal conference is no exception. This year's Legal Conference M any activities are being undertaken to make the 400th anniversary of and Expo, taking place in the heart of the festivities, at the Que- bec City Convention Centre from Aug. 17 to 19, promises to edu- cate and entertain with its roster of activities, says Bernard Amyot, outgoing CBA president and liti- gation partner of the Montreal of- fice of Heenan Blaikie LLP. This year's conference has an civil law. Another program that caught Amyot's eye is "400 Years of the Military in Quebec and Can- ada," on Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. military historians Jack Granat- stein and Serge Bernier exploring the military in Canada and Que- bec City as a military fortress. The links between Canada's military history and legal evolution will be at the heart of the discussion. Another program of interest The session will see eminent impressive list of guest speak- ers, including poet, educator, historian, and author Dr. Maya Angelou, who will deliver the keynote address at the open- ing ceremonies and plenary — "Building the Foundation for Success in Quebec" — starting at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 17. "I'm really excited," says Amy- Chrétien, who works as counsel in the same office as Amyot, and Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine will offer thought- provoking discussions as break- fast speakers before the morning sessions (Chrétien on the 18th and Fontaine on the 19th), while writer/columnist Chantal Hébert will share her influential voice on national issues at the closing lunch, at 12:30 p.m. on the 19th. "Chrétien is always an enter- taining speaker, even for those who don't like his politics," says Amyot, "and I saw [Fontaine] speak in the House of Commons when the federal apology [regarding residen- tial schools] was made by Prime Minister Harper, and it was quite a moving moment." The CLE programming starts on the morning of the 18th, and has a lineup of 25 sessions in many different practice areas. One program of interest, notes Amyot is "Media in the Court- room: Access to the Court File," on Monday, Aug. 18, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. ot. "She's going to be truly a joy to listen to at our opening plenary. She is an inspiration to us all." Former prime minister Jean tice Elizabeth Hughes of the Court of Queen's Bench of Alberta, is described thus: "Judges are facing more frequent media requests for copies of exhibits from proceed- ings. These can include written or videotaped statements to police, 'Mr. Big' videos, crime scene pho- tos, psychological reports or af- fidavits in high-profile family law cases, to name just a few. How do you weigh the media's demand for increased access against a defen- dant's right to a fair trial?" Journalist Marie-Philippe Bou- The session, moderated by Jus- chard of Société Radio-Canada, lawyer Mark J. Sandler of Toron- to's Cooper & Sandler, and Uni- versity of Montreal law professor Arlène Gaudreault will discuss various requests, their impact, and the current state of the law. A good portion of CLE pro- gramming will involve Quebec generally, the French language, and is "400 Years of French Language Influence and Canada's Hybrid Judicial System," on Monday, Aug. 18, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Under the banner of profes- sional development, there's "A Woman's Place is in the House: The House of Commons, the Courthouse and in-House Coun- sel," on Tuesday, Aug. 19, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. This program will focus on areas of practice for women law- yers that are sometimes consid- ered non-traditional, including courthouses, and as in-house counsel. Speakers include: Valé- rie Beaudin of Bell Canada, Justice Lois R. Hoegg of the Su- preme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador, and former federal justice minister Anne McLellan. Unable to make last year's con- Bernard Amyot says Dr. Maya Angelou will be a 'joy to listen to at our opening plenary.' politics, corporations, and the judiciary. Panellists will look at why women have been and still are underrepresented in these areas, and how women are in- creasingly making a difference in these "houses" — legislatures, ference in Calgary, there will be a dialogue with federal Justice Minis- ter Robert Nicholson from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 18. "He will have a special session with us, and will answer ques- tions after his keynote address. He could not be there last year in Calgary. He was in the middle of a cabinet shuffle and he had kindly phoned to say, 'Well, I'm not sure if I'm going to be minister of jus- tice when I'm asked to speak.' I've met him many, many times . . . and we have a wonderful working relationship," says Amyot. Regulars of the CBA confer- ence know that the social events are not to be missed. Attendees can look forward to the opening night festivities at La Musée National des Beaux-Arts on Sunday, Aug. 17. "They have a great Louvre ex- hibit [at the museum]," he says. "It's the first time the Louvre has some of its work travelling in a special ex- hibit and it's France's gift to Quebec City. Those who attend the open- ing night festivities will have access to that great temporary exhibit." The evening of the 18th should be on all attendees' social calendars. It starts with a chance to network, as Quebec law firms host delegates and guests in their offices and at venues around the city for food, hors d'oeuvres, and conversation. After the receptions, there is a special concert at the Palais Montcalm, featuring pianist, singer, actor, and performer Gregory Charles, who promises to entertain with an exclusive live show. The conference closes with a formal evening of dinner and dancing in the ballroom of Quebec's historic Fairmont Le Château Frontenac. For more in- formation, visit http://www.cba. org/CBA/quebec2008/main/. LT PAGE 15 NEW Good Faith in Canadian Insurance Law Roderick S.W. 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