News Release
September 30, 2019

Law Society President Nancy Merrill, QC, Law Society CEO Don Avison and Law Foundation of BC Executive Director Josh Paterson

(Left to right) Law Society President Nancy Merrill, QC; Law Society CEO Don Avison; and Law Foundation of BC Executive Director Josh Paterson

The Law Society is expanding Indigenous intercultural competence training in its Bar admission course, thanks to support from the Law Foundation of BC. The announcement comes on Orange Shirt Day, a day for Canadians to reflect on the legacy of residential schools and come together in the spirit of reconciliation.

The grants will enable the Law Society to create new training and information for all students who are applying to be a lawyer in British Columbia, building upon the intercultural competence learning developed by law schools in BC. Education materials will be produced in collaboration with experts at the University of Victoria’s Indigenous Law Research Unit and the University of British Columbia’s Indigenous Community Legal Clinic.

Mandatory intercultural competence education for admission candidates is part of the Law Society’s Truth and Reconciliation Action Plan. The plan proposes more than 50 actions and initiatives that the Law Society can take to advance reconciliation.

“We must ensure that future generations of lawyers are equipped with the knowledge and skills to advance reconciliation,” said Law Society President Nancy Merrill, QC. “The Law Society thanks the Law Foundation for providing funding to make this possible.”

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For photo or further information contact:

David Jordan
Communications Officer
604.443.5708
djordan@lsbc.org