Advocating on behalf of the profession is a slow and winding road. Sometimes it takes years to see the results of our collective efforts.
This spring, we were lucky to experience several exciting advocacy wins.
Cullen Commission Inquiry into Money Laundering
After three years of reports and testimony from local witnesses and international experts, the Cullen Commission released its final report and findings in June.
The final report did not find extensive evidence of lawyers being directly or indirectly involved in money-laundering activities in BC. However, the Commissioner did note the profession is at risk of being inadvertently involved. His recommendations for the Law Society of BC included expanding the client identification requirements, public awareness of the limitations of lawyers’ trust accounts, and further training for staff and lawyers in high-risk
practice areas.
CBABC was a participant in the public inquiry and was pleased to see the Commission agreed with our recommendations put forward, including a need for further funding to train police and enforcement agencies to aggressively pursue money launderers.
Reforming the “Police Act”
Following an extensive public consultation, the government’s Special Committee to reform the Police Act released its final report in April. Several CBABC recommendations were considered by the Special Committee, including the need to collect and use disaggregated data and improvements to the complaints and disciplinary process for police.
Mental Health Act Updates
CBABC welcomed the government’s proposed changes in a bill to amend the Mental Health Act. The changes include the establishment of a team of Rights Advisors, whose role will be to provide independent advice and assistance to those involuntarily detained under the Act. In Agenda for Justice 2021, CBABC recommended that the government update the Act to ensure detainees obtain legal representation.
Anti-Racism Data Act
The BC government has announced new anti-racism legislation that will ensure disaggregated data is thoughtfully collected and analyzed so that government programs, policies, and legislation protect BC’s most vulnerable. CBABC has been actively advocating for the collection and use of data since we launched Agenda for Justice 2021.
Electronics Recycling Project
In July 2021, the Access to Justice Committee released its report, Who’s Getting Left Behind, which explored the access to justice issues created when people don’t have necessary technology to reach essential court services and legal advice. The A2J Tech Drive was the profession’s opportunity to be a tangible part of the solution in closing this digital divide.
More than 20 law firms and individuals in BC donated almost 200 laptops, computers, smartphones, and other materials! This equipment is being refurbished and will delivered to Indigenous and rural communities later this summer. A big thank you to all the lawyers across BC who participated in this successful endeavor!
Want to get involved? Email us at advocacy@cbabc.org.