A five-person commission of independent professionals will make recommendations for how the regulatory body can update policies and procedures to remove systemic racism.
A Halifax lawyer tasked with rooting out systemic discrimination within the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society says he's starting his work by looking for "embedded systems" that have become part of the organization's culture over time.
A Halifax lawyer tasked with rooting out systemic discrimination within the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society says he's starting his work by looking for "embedded systems" that have become part of the organization's culture over time.
HALIFAX A former provincial ombudsman heading up an external review of systemic discrimination in the Nova Scotia Barristers Society says he s aiming to complete his work in eight to 10 months. Douglas Ruck, a lawyer with a background in labour and human rights law, was appointed in April to head up the review and says he is working with the society to determine the resources needed to carry out the work. He said Tuesday the matter of inequality has been brought to the fore throughout society, including through the Black Lives Matter movement, and it is the appropriate time to look into ways to improve inclusiveness at the body that regulates the legal profession.
Posted: Apr 17, 2021 4:03 PM AT | Last Updated: April 17
Douglas Ruck will conduct a systemic discrimination review for the Nova Scotia Barristers Society.(Vernon Ramesar/CBC)
The Nova Scotia Barristers Society says systemic discrimination exists within its organization and in the justice system as a whole and it will work to eliminate it.
In a public statement on its website, the society said it has appointed lawyer Douglas Ruck to conduct an independent review of its policies and processes and to address areas of systemic discrimination.
Craig Garson, the president of the society, told CBC s
Mainstreet that the organization has heard from its members and members of affected communities that barriers exist to entering the profession, and that there are difficulties once they are in the profession.