Law Society to review its processes and relations with Indigenous peoples

Ovide Mercredi, former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, has agreed to be an Independent Reviewer, to provide guidance to the Law Society of Upper Canada to improve its processes and relations with First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. The Law Society exists to regulate lawyers and paralegals in Ontario.

On June 28, the Law Society announced the appointment of a review panel to examine the way in which the society and its tribunal addresses regulatory matters involving Indigenous persons, complaints, and issues.

The panel will identify issues and make recommendations on opportunities for inclusion of Indigenous perspectives. It will deliver a work plan over the summer, to be followed by a report to Treasurer Paul Schabas in the winter.

The appointment of this review panel follows the Law Society’s experiences in The Law Society of Upper Canada v. Keshen, which raised questions about the Law Society’s regulatory and hearing process in relation to First Nations, Métis and Inuit people.

Doug Keshen, a Kenora, Ont. lawyer, was investigated after complaints about his treatment of residential school survivors. The society acknowledged shortcomings in it processes, which discouraged the survivors.

“We need to listen and learn from our historical experiences in dealing with Indigenous issues,” said Schabas.

“Clearly, we need to review and reform our processes to accommodate the unique historical and cultural circumstances of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous approaches to conflict resolution.”

The Review Panel members include:

• Dianne Corbiere, Panel Co-Chair

• Julian Falconer, Panel Co-Chair

• Robert Burd

• Teresa Donnelly

• Isfahan Merali

• Kathleen Lickers, Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group

• Elder Advisor Myeengun Henry, Co-Chair of the Indigenous Advisory Group

In addition to reviewing the Law Society’s complaints, investigation, prosecution and adjudication processes, the review panel will also conduct interviews with key stakeholders, including Law Society staff and members of the Law Society Tribunal.

Mercredi will work in tandem with the Review Panel and will be reaching out to the community. For more information about the Review Panel and its mandate see http://www.lsuc.on.ca/Review-Panel