September InForum - Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society

September InForum: Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, TRC resources for members & more

Society News

Honouring the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30

The Nova Scotia Barristers Society will close its office on Thursday, September 30 in recognition of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Earlier this year, the federal government announced September 30 as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a new federal statutory holiday to recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation responds to one of the 94 Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which calls for a national day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

The Province of Nova Scotia announced that it will annually recognize Truth and Reconciliation Day in alignment with the federal government. Provincial government offices will also be closed on September 30, including courthouses across the province.

The Society encourages all staff, members, and Nova Scotians to reflect, learn and consider what we can do to advance reconciliation in our province and live in peace and friendship.

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Resources and Events

National Truth and Reconciliation Week Events – programming hosted by the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation
Weekend of Reconciliation—September 30, 2021 – October 2, 2021 Halifax Waterfront hosted by Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
Trauma-Informed Lawyering: The Duty to Do Better in the Era of Truth & Reconciliation – TRCWG event on September 29, 2021 hosted by Myrna McCallum
Resource list gathered by the Society’s Truth and Reconciliation Working Group (TRCWG) to connect Indigenous members, especially residential school survivors, their families and communities, with existing supports.
Truth and Reconciliation related practice resources collected by the Society
Residential School History
Survivors’ Stories
Reading List by First Peoples Law
Indigenous Canada free online course offered by the University of Alberta

“It’s Not the Glass Ceiling, It’s the Sticky Floor”

Join the Society, the Canadian Chapter of the International Association of Women Judges and the Nova Scotia Branch of the Canadian Bar Association for our upcoming event: “It’s Not the Glass Ceiling, It’s the Sticky Floor”

At this virtual panel discussion, we’ll explore the reasons why women often leave the practice of law or modify their careers after years of work and we’ll look for ways to disrupt that pattern. There will be breakout rooms hosted by members of the Judiciary and opportunities to engage and ask questions.

When: Thursday, October 28, 2021 – 6:30-9:00 PM (ADT)
Cost: FREE and open to all NSBS members (including those who are not CBA-NS members)
Location: via Zoom

How to register:

CBA-NS Members: Register on the CBA-NS website.
Non CBA-NS Members: Please send your name and contact details to cbainfo@cbans.ca so the CBA-NS team can register you manually.

Updated COVID-19 FAQs for Lawyers

The Society’s COVID-19 FAQs for Lawyers will support you as you prepare your officeand adapt procedures as we transition to phase 5. We’ve also outlined guidance in our updated Lawyer’s Guide to Reopening the Office which also reflects the October 4 transition to phase 5 of the province’s reopening plan.

Council News

As our governing body, Council ensures we carry out our purpose to uphold and protect the public interest in the practice of law. Council members lend their voices and unique insights to decisions that impact Nova Scotia’s legal profession. Review our 2021-2023 Council bios.

September Council meeting package

Highlights from the September meeting include:

Update on the cultural competence education – a memo outlining the proposed educational options was tabled. Council discussed the memo and provided recommendations.
Update from the TRC Working Group – a report was tabled and Jamie Vacon, Co-Chair of the TRCWG, highlighted the upcoming education session, Trauma-Informed Lawyering: The Duty to Do Better in the Era of Truth & Reconciliation held on September 29. Council discussed the report and upcoming National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on September 30.
Creation of a Disability Equity Committee (DEC) – following a discussion, Council approved the creation of a Disability Equity Committee (DEC).
New Professional Standards approved – Council approved the new Income Tax Act Standard and Revocation Standards.

Review the September Council meeting highlights (PDF)

External Independent Review

Call for Participation

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society has acknowledged the existence of systemic discrimination in the justice system and within the Society. In its acknowledgement the Society stated, in part:

We not only acknowledge and regret the existence of systemic discrimination within the justice system and the Society but also recognize the need for action and education to address it. The Society is committed to reducing barriers created by racism, unconscious bias, and discrimination. We are committed to continuing our efforts to learn, to adapt, to improve our processes and to lead Nova Scotia’s legal profession by example. In collaboration with our members, the legal entities we regulate, stakeholders, and justice system partners, we will work diligently towards eliminating all forms of discrimination in the justice system and in the Society.

As part of its commitment to eliminate systemic discrimination, I have been retained by the society, as set out in the Terms of Reference to undertake a comprehensive external, independent review of the Society’s policies and processes to identify and address any areas of systemic discrimination that exist within the Society.

I am writing to request the assistance and input of members of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the general public to share your experiences, views and opinions with me in relation to this review as outlined in the Terms of Reference.

If you wish to speak with me or provide your views in writing I may be contacted at the dedicated email address set up by the Society at druck@nsbs.org.

The review is being conducted on a confidential basis. Any conversations, interviews, or thoughts and opinions submitted in writing will be entirely confidential and any comments will be anonymized to remove any indicators of identity.

Thank you in advance for your anticipated assistance in the review.

Douglas G. Ruck, Q.C.

Equity & Access

National Day for Truth and Reconciliation Day & Orange Shirt Day: Resources for Members

September 30 is the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, a new federal statutory holiday to recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation responds to one of the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which calls for a national day to “honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

The Society’s office is closed on Thursday, September 30 in recognition of National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We encourage all staff, members, and Nova Scotians to reflect, learn and consider what we can do to advance reconciliation in our province and live in peace and friendship.

Orange Shirt Day

September 30^th is also Orange Shirt Day as we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada and learn more about the history of those schools.

Phyllis Webstad, a member of the Stswecem’c Xgat’tem First Nation, started Orange Shirt Day. Phyllis is a survivor of the St. Joseph’s Mission residential school in British Columbia and the cooler orange always reminded her of her experiences at residential school and, as she has said, “how my feelings didn’t matter, how no one cared, and I felt like I was worth nothing. All of us little children were crying, and no one cared.”

She shares her memories in a presentation outlining the meaning of Orange Shirt Day.

Phyllis Webstad Orange Shirt Day Presentation

Resources & Events

We encourage our members to review the TRC resources for lawyers we have compiled including the CBA’s Reconciliation Toolkit for Firms, the Trauma-Informed Lawyer podcast and more.

Review TRC resources for members

Upcoming events:

Weekend of Reconciliation—September 30, 2021 – October 2, 2021 Halifax Waterfront hosted by Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Centre
The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation is holding a series of online events throughout the week of September 27 – 31, 2021.
APTN will have a special full day of programming in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Mental Health and Wellness Resources

The TRCWG has collected resources to connect Indigenous members, especially residential school survivors, their families and communities, with existing support resources they can access to support them towards their healing journey.

The TRCWG does not specifically endorse any of these resources and recognizes that they may not provide the support that is needed. It is offered as a round-up of the most comprehensive list of options we are aware of.

Review mental health and wellness resources

Equity in Action: Valuing Diverse Experiences in Hiring

This Equity in Action blog post was written by Asha Pelly, NSBS Summer Law Student

Does your workplace value diverse experiences in hiring?

Our Equity in Action blog series is moving on to step four from our Six Steps to Make Your Legal Workplace more Equitable – valuing diverse experiences in hiring. Some of the most valued experiences in hiring are inaccessible to people, often for financial reasons.

You’re encouraged to provide your thoughts by commenting on the blog!

Read the latest Equity in Action blog

Your Practice

NSBS Lawyers’ Reading Room: Irwin Law Material Moved to vLex

Irwin Law, accessible through the Society’s Lawyers’ Reading Room, has moved to the vLex platform.

On vLex, you can access all the same materials that you had access to on Irwin Law’s E-Library. Additionally, you’ll have access to indexed information, and you can search across vLex’s entire database of 120 million documents from over 100 countries. This includes Canadian case law dating back to 1876 and indexed CANLII content. Please note that this will be for search purposes and display of results only, and not any full text. You will only have access to the full text of Irwin Law’s collection.

Looking for the Lawyers’ Reading Room? Access the Lawyers’ Reading Room by logging into your member profile. Once you are logged in to the Society’s member portal, click on ‘Lawyers’ Reading Room’ in the navigation.

Questions? Contact the Society’s Library Technician, Jennifer Haimes, at jhaimes@nsbs.org

Lawyers’ Insurance Association of Nova Scotia

NSLAP WELLNESS: Suicide Prevention – Uncovering the Signs

FRAUD ALERT: NS Lawyers’ Website, Contact Information “Spoofed”

Changes in Category: August 26, 2021-September 29, 2021

In every issue of our newsletter InForum, we provide updates on category changes.

Welcome to our new articled clerks:

Shalyn Folami Pearl Jones

Mukisa Nassanga Samarie Kakembo

Andrea Lauren MacGregor

Kathryn Sarah Jean O’Neil

Daniel Gordon Publicover

Nicholas David Stewart

Daniel Gerald John White

These members have changed to Practising status:

Hannah Elizabeth Joan Adams

Guilhem Pierre Gonzague de Roquefeuil

Nile A. Kaya

Ian Augustine McIsaac

Matthew Alexander Orrell

Brandon Marshall Trask

These members have changed to Non-Practising status:

Adam Bata

Christopher Sean Cheverie

Sophie Joan DeViller

Sheherazade Ghorashy

Megan Laura Parker, TEP

Pir Mohsin Ali Rashdi

Katherine Evelyn Salsman

Donald A. (Rollie) Thompson, QC

Roberto Justin Walcott

These members have Retired:

Kenneth O. Thomas

Professional Responsibility

Notice of Hearing: Christopher Ian Robinson

Revised Notice of Sanction Resolution: Adam Rodgers

Notice of Hearing: Nash Brogan

For Your Information

Why Indigenous Cultural Competency is Important

The Calls to Action in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, identify cultural competency as an essential component of reconciliation. Attending a workshop and putting a checkmark on a to-do list is not enough. Cultural competency is not a destination, it is a journey.

On November 3, 2021, the Canadian Defence Lawyers will hear from representatives of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society, the Law Society of British Columbia, and SGI Canada about the efforts being made by their organizations to address the need for Indigenous cultural competency, and take steps toward reconciliation.

A Panel discussion, chaired by Amelia Leckey, Regional Senior Counsel, SGI Canada, Toronto

Tuma T. W. Young QC is a member of Eskasoni and Malagawatch First Nation and is the first Indigenous President of the Nova Scotia Barrister’s Society.
Nicole Bresser is a Metis woman. She works with the Indigenous Legal Relations Group, B.C. Ministry of the Attorney General and is Co-Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Advisory Committee of the Law Society of British Columbia.
Dawn Anaquod is Director of Talent Acquisition, Diversity & Inclusion for SGI Canada in Regina. SGI Canada is a signatory to the Saskatchewan Chamber of Commerce Indigenous Engagement Charter

Learn more & register

CABL National 2021 Annual Conference: Resilience, Perseverance & Growth.

The Canadian Association of Black Lawyers is hosting its first two-day virtual conference from November 4-5, 2021. Learn more.

The Indigenous Bar Association’s 33rd Annual Fall Conference

“Sharing Experience Towards a Shared Future.” The IBA will host their online conference again this year on October 22 and 23, 2021. Learn more.

eCourt Pilot Project is Expanding its Jurisdiction!

Effective August 1, 2021, the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia (Family Division)’s eCourt Pilot Project will accept applications from all jurisdictions in Nova Scotia. For more details contact the eCourt Administrator at eCourtAdministrator@courts.ns.ca or (902) 476-9587. Review what you need to refer a case to eCourt.

Missing Wills

Name on will: Christina Marie Fuller
Last known residence: Halifax, NS
Any lawyers with information please contact Cydney Kane at ckane@burchells.ca or (902) 422-3583.

Name on will: Eldon John Poole
Last known residence: Halifax, NS
Any lawyers with information please contact Casey Hayward of Carlyle Peterson LLP at chayward@cplaw.com or (519) 432-0632 x 226.

Name on will: Anthony Joseph LaBreche
Last known residence: Ottawa, ON but had also resided in Halifax, Bridgewater, Kentville & Wolfville NS
Any lawyers with information please contact Jessica LaBreche at jessica.l.labreche@gmail.com or (343) 463-0882.
Additional details: Flight Engineer in Canadian Armed Force for 17 years (1975/76-1992/93), spent his career at CFB Shearwater.

News from the NS Courts

Career Opportunities

Upcoming Events

These events include NSBS events as well as professional development opportunities and related events posted to the events page on our website.

Atlantic Symposium 2021 (October 1)
1st Annual Rule of Law Lecture: The Rule of Law in Pandemic Times (October 4)
Simmer Down: Cool-headed responses to aggressive behaviour in the workplace (October 7)
Advising the Start-up Business (October 14)
Executor Insurance – Mitigating Risk on Estate Files (October 19)
The ABCs of IMEs Reimagined: Reviewing the basics, exploring collaborative models (October 21)
2021 Indigenous Bar Association Conference (October 21-23)
Superior Legal Writing: The Point-First Approach (October 21)
It’s Not the Glass Ceiling, It’s the Sticky Floor (October 28)
Gifts and Loans in Estate Planning (October 28)
Why Indigenous Cultural Competency is Important (November 3)
Online LRA Qualification Assessment (November 10)