We call upon the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Why “In Progress”?
On June 6, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved 9 recommendations that chart path towards reconciliation.
On Aug. 7, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved all nine recommendations including mandatory Indigenous cultural competency training and ensuring access and availability to educational opportunities and collaborating with Indigenous organizations in the development and delivery of cultural competency training.
Most of the Provincial Law Societies have initiated a response to this Call to Action. The Canadian Bar Association endorses this C2A as do multiple Faculties of Law.
Jan. 30, 2023: CBC – After receiving a petition signed by 50 of the province’s 11,100 lawyers, the Law Society of Alberta has issued notice of a special meeting to vote on LSA Rule 67.4 regarding mandatory education. Currently, all Alberta lawyers are required to take a free, five-hour online course called The Path, which teaches Indigenous cultural competency. Those who don’t face suspension.
The vote is to get rid of LSA Rule 67.4 and specifically targets The Path.
Feb. 6 2023: Lawyers in Alberta voted in favour of retaining LSA Rule 67.4 by a vote of 2,609 to 864, of the 3,473 votes cast.
Current Status
In Progress
Call to Action
last updated
February 19, 2024
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Commitments to C2A # 27
Federation of Law Societies of Canada
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Commitments to C2A # 27
Law Society of British Columbia
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