Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m A U G U S T 2 0 1 7 29 W hile there are new faces in B.C.'s provincial government, justice reform was a signifi- cant legacy of the previous regime. Under Suzanne Anton's leadership, B.C. enacted a Civil Resolution Tribunal, an online dispute resolution that allows the public to resolve disputes involving strata and many small claims disputes of less than $5,000 as of June 1. Disputants are able to access the system at all times of day and night. Through the Legal Services Society, funded by the government, the province also provided a family law line and extended duty counsel to allow the public to access the system and secure advice to resolve disputes in family law. Delays in the criminal courts have also been reduced by legislation that gives police the authority to impose roadside prohibitions upon suspected impaired drivers. The province also recently embarked upon a family court mediation project with emphasis on the needs of indigenous children in the child welfare system. The parents' legal centre is part of an innovative approach to dealing with child protection and emphasizes ways for children to stay with their families or in their communities. L ise Maisonneuve is the second woman to be named chief justice of the Ontario Court of Justice, a leader in judiciary across Canada. She's an innovator on criminal justice reform. She sets the tone for one of the most energized and talented benches in Canada. Maisonneuve was credited by Ontario Attorney General Yasir Naqvi with developing the education plan that expressly mandates new judges need to be trained in sexual assault law and other issues for the new judicial requirements outlined in 2017. The program has always been a key component in judicial training, and it includes instruction on legal and equality issues. However, it was not originally included in the plan as a requirement. The changes come following an outcry over judges' comments about complainants in other parts of the country. Attorney General and Minister of Justice for British Columbia Vancouver Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice Toronto what voters had to say: "She is a tireless worker and a truly honourable Canadian." "A great influential lawyer who deserves the award." "A people person and dedicated to her work." what voters had to say: "A human, energizing and natural leader." Suzanne Anton Lise Maisonneuve GOVERNMENT/NON-PROFITS/ASSOCIATIONS TEL: 905.526.9800 | FAX: 905.526.0732 1 King Street West, 10th Floor Hamilton, ON L8P 1A4 www.rossmcbride.com Wade frequently appears before the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario and appears as counsel on leading cases in the area. Wade Poziomka Partner | Human Rights Law Group Ross & McBride LLP would like to congratulate Wade Poziomka for his nomination in the Human Rights, Advocacy and Criminal category as one of Canada's Top 25 Most Influential Lawyers, selected by Canadian Lawyer magazine. ntitled-2 1 2017-07-19 2:06 PM

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