The requirement that all lawyers and paralegals in Ontario adopt a so-called statement of principles that acknowledges their obligation to promote equality and diversity will remain mandatory. Toronto lawyer Joe Groia, a bencher, or board member, of the Law Society of Upper Canada, which regulates the legal profession in Ontario, had brought a motion at Friday’s board meeting that would allow an exemption for those who have a “conscientious objection” to the requirement. The motion failed in a 38-16 vote. “I think the fact that we voted, quite strongly, to stay the course on this is a good thing,” said law society treasurer Paul Schabas, the elected head of the regulator. “It’s a good day for the law society continuing to show leadership on challenging issues.”The statement of principles had become one of the most divisive topics in the legal profession this year, as evidenced by the presentations made by benchers Friday.

Source: thestar December 01, 2017 22:30 UTC