Ontario lawyers to combat systemic racism in profession
Larger law firms would be expected to work toward racial diversification and have to report on their progress under recommendations approved without opposition Friday by the profession's regulatory body in Ontario following hours of emotional debate.
In addition, the Law Society of Upper Canada will look to put measures in place to ensure legal workplaces do more to combat systemic racism and discrimination in their ranks, its governing body decided.
The recommendations — 13 in all — flowed from a working group that looked at the career obstacles black and other visible minority lawyers face. The group, set up in 2012, spent the last few years coming up with its report based on consultations and submissions from around the province.
Raj Anand, co-chairman of the group, who said he's been the subject of racial slurs, called it gratifying the law society approved the report.
'A serious problem that needs to be addressed'
"There is a serious problem that needs to be addressed," Anand said.
"We now can move forward to implement these important recommendations, which reinforce the special responsibility of lawyers and paralegals to promote human rights in their own workplaces — and in their relationships with the justice system and the public."
Under measures that are now slated to be put in place, any firm with at least 10 lawyers and paralegals would have to designate someone responsible for implementing a policy that addresses issues such as fair recruitment, retention and advancement.
Companies would also have to do a diversity self-assessment, and send the information to the law society every two years.
The governing body would also keep tabs on the progress law firms with at least 25 lawyers and paralegals are making in promoting diversity by looking at a "demographic data and inclusion index."
Ontario lawyers to combat systemic racism in profession - Toronto - CBC News
Larger law firms would be expected to work toward racial diversification and have to report on their progress under recommendations approved without opposition Friday by the profession's regulatory body in Ontario following hours of emotional debate.
In addition, the Law Society of Upper Canada will look to put measures in place to ensure legal workplaces do more to combat systemic racism and discrimination in their ranks, its governing body decided.
The recommendations — 13 in all — flowed from a working group that looked at the career obstacles black and other visible minority lawyers face. The group, set up in 2012, spent the last few years coming up with its report based on consultations and submissions from around the province.
Raj Anand, co-chairman of the group, who said he's been the subject of racial slurs, called it gratifying the law society approved the report.
'A serious problem that needs to be addressed'
"There is a serious problem that needs to be addressed," Anand said.
"We now can move forward to implement these important recommendations, which reinforce the special responsibility of lawyers and paralegals to promote human rights in their own workplaces — and in their relationships with the justice system and the public."
Under measures that are now slated to be put in place, any firm with at least 10 lawyers and paralegals would have to designate someone responsible for implementing a policy that addresses issues such as fair recruitment, retention and advancement.
Companies would also have to do a diversity self-assessment, and send the information to the law society every two years.
The governing body would also keep tabs on the progress law firms with at least 25 lawyers and paralegals are making in promoting diversity by looking at a "demographic data and inclusion index."
Ontario lawyers to combat systemic racism in profession - Toronto - CBC News
