All four Western provinces gave their official approval
The Law Society of Manitoba has announced that the final version of the Western Canada Competency Profile (WCCP) has received an official approval from all of the four Western provinces.
According to its announcement, the Law Societies of Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan have officially approved the profile, which provided a framework of competencies that were needed upon entering the legal practice as well as established similar benchmarks for performances across the Western provinces in Canada.
The Law Society of Manitoba also thanked those who have helped in providing feedback on the profile’s initial draft from the previous year.
“Thank you to all who took the time to participate. Your feedback was invaluable,” it said.
“As work around lawyer competency progresses, there will be further opportunities for engagement with the profession,” it added.
The organization further said that the finalization of the WCCP was the first step in a much larger initiative that will take a while before it is fully implemented.
“This foundational document will inform the next steps, including developing additional guidance and resources for implementing the WCCP over the next few years,” it said, adding that it will continue providing updates regarding the profile’s implementation as well as the requirements needed for the profession.
First announced in August 2023, the Western Canada Law Societies that had banded together for the profile aimed to enhance the competence of lawyers in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan, in order to make sure that the public will be served competent lawyers.
The WCCP was also designed to be a comprehensive guide for those looking to enter the legal practice as it delineated the fundamental skills and knowledge that they needed. It also mentions the clear standards that were in place when it came to entering the legal field, which allows lawyers to take on the dynamic demands of the profession effectively.
