12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Shattering the glass ceiling in the Legal Profession: Teachings from the Touchstones Task Force (Recording)

Thirty years ago, the Canadian Bar Association’s Task Force on Gender Equality led by the late Madam Justice Bertha Wilson, the first woman appointed to the Supreme Court of Canada exposed and sought to shatter the glass ceiling for women in the legal profession. Accused of being radicals and imagining problems, the trailblazing members of the Task Force released the 1993 Touchstones for Change: Equality, Diversity and Accountability Report (“Touchstones Report”) which explored discrimination against women and others in the legal profession who didn’t look like the traditional white male role model. The Task Force identified barriers faced by women and racialized individuals at all levels: barriers to entry into law school and a “poisoned” atmosphere in the schools; barriers to securing articling positions; as well as barriers to women’s success in private law firms and the judiciary.

The Touchstones Report sparked a three-decades long campaign for equity, diversity and inclusion, which continues to this day. In addition to the original Task Force members sharing their insights into the making of the Touchstones Report, we will hear from them about tools to identify and dismantle the glass ceilings for women and members of equity deserving groups.

Come join us for this unique opportunity to hear from and engage with the original Task Force members.

Speaker(s)

Patricia L. Blocksom, K.C., AOE, Dunphy Best Blocksom LLP (Calgary, AB)
The Honourable Sophie Bourque (retired), former Québec Superior Court Justice (Montréal, QC)
Daphne E. Dumont, K.C., Cox & Palmer LLP (Charlottetown, PE) 

Moderator

Angela Ogang, Barrister & Solicitor, Notary Public, Angelaw (Toronto, ON)