Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
All lawyers and paralegals play a vital role in Accelerating Culture Shift, one of 5 strategies adopted by the Law Society to address the barriers faced by racialized licensees. As part of this strategy practitioners are required to create and abide by an individual Statement of Principles that acknowledges their obligation to promote equality, diversity and inclusion generally, and their behavior towards colleagues, employees, clients and the public.
Human rights legislation is afforded quasi-Constitutional status by the Supreme Court of Canada. It is of such import that under the Rules of Professional Conduct (for lawyers) and the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, licensees of the Law Society of Ontario have a special duty to respect human rights in their dealings with others.[1]
I acknowledge that valuing equality and enhancing diversity and inclusion in my practice, at my legal workplace, and in my public life is central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in the legal profession.
[1] Section 2.03, Paralegal Rules of Conduct; ss. 6.3 and 6.3.1, Rules of Professional Conduct.