THE ADVOCATE 823
VOL. 79 PART 6 NOVEMBER 2021
She also calls for improving interactions between lawyers, and between
lawyers and clients. This includes continuing to work on the legal profession’s
use of gender pronouns, Indigenous reconciliation, and broader
awareness of issues of race and culture. She believes that CBABC plays an
important role as the voice of its members on these vital issues, and in moving
our profession and our justice system toward greater diversity and
inclusivity.
Clare points out that CBABC is already leading much of this work.
CBABC’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Community Section was
involved in prompting the courts’ new policy on gender pronouns. CBABC
has a Reconciliation Action Plan and offers a Reconciliation Response Plan
guide for firms on how to incorporate principles of reconciliation into their
business. CBABC’s Indigenous Justice Action Committee and Equality and
Diversity Committee are working on several new initiatives. CBABC also
recently started a Restorative Justice Working group. In addition to the good
work that has been done so far, Clare points to these initiatives as reflective
of the CBABC’s ongoing interest in hearing from members about what
issues the organization should take on and how to approach them.
Clare’s interest in promoting the CBABC’s accessibility is not limited to
diversity and inclusion initiatives. Rather, it is part of her broader goal to
strengthen the connection that members feel to the organization. This
could be in the form of a member’s personal involvement, or a feeling of
being represented by the organization’s advocacy.
CONCLUSIONS
Clare has been a great asset for every organization she has ever been a part
of, and CBABC is no exception. We are very fortunate. And we are all the
more fortunate because there was nothing inevitable about her journey. We
could very easily have lost Clare along the way: to Ghana, or Germany, or
the halls of academia, or a library basement—even (the mind revolts at the
thought) Sudbury. She might have been an actor or a teacher or a baker or
even one of those Legal Services Branch lawyers who go home at 4:15 every
afternoon.
But luckily for us all, this quintessential Renaissance woman has navigated
all the dangers, toils and snares, and has arrived where she belongs:
in the presidency of the CBABC. Congratulations, Clare, and best wishes for
the term ahead. We have no doubt that your energy will carry us all forward.