Ruck Report: NSBS receives, accepts, and commits to change
Today, Douglas Ruck, KC, delivered his report, “Regaining Trust” to members of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society (the Society), including its governing Council, the report’s Implementation Task Force, all equity committee members, staff members and many interested organizations and individuals with whom the Society has relationships.
As background, in April 2021, the Society publicly acknowledged and expressed regret regarding the existence of systemic discrimination within the Society and the legal profession. At that time, Council committed to undertaking a comprehensive external independent review. Diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are part of the Society’s statutory mandate and core to upholding the public interest in the practice of law. From the outset, Council’s goal was to provide short-term and long-term goals, solutions and changes required to eliminate or mitigate systemic discrimination in the Society and encourage an organizational culture free of bias.
The report (link below) contains 21 recommendations that range from reporting and educational requirements, disciplinary needs, and analysis to policy-driven reforms designed to lay the groundwork towards meaningful cultural shifts. The Society is meant to be the early adopter, with the wider legal profession expected to follow.
At the completion of Mr. Ruck’s presentation, Council voted to fully accept the recommendations and commit to a transparent and accountable process for change.
We again acknowledge the harmful impacts of systemic discrimination in the Society as we begin the journey to improve our organization and those we serve. We appreciate the many individuals who have helped bring us to this point. This includes equity-deserving members of the Society and the public, racial equity committee members, diverse members from within our membership, and others who have served on committees. They called for change and we are grateful for their interest and willingness to contribute.
Regaining Trust serves as the catalyst for this change and will guide and propel us forward. We are grateful that Mr. Ruck has agreed to make himself available to engage in conversations, continue the dialogue with interested and affected parties, work alongside us as we better understand his findings, and inform our approach to implementing these recommendations.
We accept the Society’s responsibility in addressing systemic discrimination, which must be initiated from the top and informed by those working with us, as well as our members across the province. We know that the process of change will challenge peoples’ beliefs and understanding of the institutions in which we work and engage. We sincerely apologize to those who have been affected, and we are sorry for the Society’s past failure to address systemic discrimination within the Society and in our justice system.
NSBS’s Implementation Task Force, with input from our four equity committees, will regularly report to Council on progress. Mr. Ruck noted there have been a number of positive improvements already over the past two years—ranging from training and education for Council, the profession and employees—to releasing the recent racial equity survey. Council has passed a new strategic plan, focused on the important overarching theme of trust. Our values and guideposts are infused with DEIA priorities reflective of the important changes being made. The CEO and NSBS team are steadfastly focused on supporting the full implementation of Regaining Trust and ensuring the work arising from the report’s recommendations is prioritized within the strategic plan.
We express our deep gratitude to Mr. Ruck for this important work; for his guidance and dedication to helping us identify and eliminate systemic discrimination. We know we are not alone—no institution can sit in silence or denial when it comes to systemic discrimination and the legacies of racism in our community.
We thank everyone with whom the Society holds relationships, for your continued interest in and commitment to helping us improve our organization and those we serve.
Morgan Manzer, President; and Cheryl Hodder KC, CEO
Regaining Trust: The Ruck Report
About Douglas Ruck, KC
Douglas Ruck is a highly regarded Nova Scotia lawyer and adjudicator with extensive experience in labour relations and employment, human rights, occupational health and safety, civil litigation, and administrative law. He understands the role of the legal regulator and how the legal profession and justice system work. As a former provincial Ombudsman, he has conducted numerous reviews and investigations with integrity and respect. His skills, knowledge, background and lived experience place him in an ideal position to have led this independent review process. He has been Chairman of the Nova Scotia Labour Board as well as the Premier’s Task Force on Employment Equity in Nova Scotia. He has promoted the development and implementation of alternative dispute resolution systems throughout the government and chaired the Premier’s Task Force on Employment Equity in Nova Scotia.
Mr. Ruck currently serves as Board Chair at the University of King’s College, where he finished his undergraduate degree before graduating from Dalhousie Law School. He has completed mediation training at the Harvard Law School. A long-time community leader, Doug has shared his time and expertise with a range of volunteer organizations, including the Black Cultural Centre of Nova Scotia, East Preston Day Care, Rotary Club of Halifax, Change Canada Foundation, Duke of Edinburgh Awards, the Nova Scotia Law Foundation, and Commissionaires Nova Scotia.