As I was walking towards Osgoode Hall to attend the Law Society of Ontario’s June 27 Convocation, I could not believe that even in 2019, as a lawyer with a duty to be people’s voice in a supposedly free and democratic country, that I must fight for my own freedom of speech, thought, conscience and ideas.
By the end of March all lawyers and paralegals in Ontario will be required to sign an acknowledgement and promise to “promote” equality, diversity and inclusion generally in their behaviour towards colleagues, employees, clients and the public.” As a female visible minority licensee, I find this deeply troubling, not only because it is vague and far-reaching, but also because it inevitably leads one to certain conclusions.
