President's Report

  • November 07, 2016

The fall season can feel like more of a “new year” than January 1st. Children are returning to school, law schools are back in session, and the CBA begins the start of a new year complete with a new President and Executive Committee. I was honoured to begin my term as CBA Alberta Branch President at the conclusion of the CBA Legal Conference in August, and I look forward to leading our branch, and advocating for our members and the profession as a whole for the coming year. Please join me in welcoming the rest of the 2016 – 2017 Executive Committee: Jenny McMordie (Vice President), Frank Friesacher (Treasurer), Ola Malik (Secretary), Wayne Barkauskas (Past President), and Maureen Armitage (Executive Director). 

As we begin a new year, I would like to take the opportunity to recognize Steve Mandziuk, QC, our outgoing Past President, for his five years of service on the Executive Committee. In addition to his work at the branch level, Steve also lent his leadership as the chair of the national Re-Think committee, which began the process of renewing the CBA for our membership, including the newest generation of lawyers. Steve will continue to provide his expertise as Chair of the Agenda for Justice & Advocacy Committee, whose work you can read more about below. 

The Agenda for Justice & Advocacy Committee will be kept busy this year, as the CBA Alberta focuses on advocating on behalf of the profession. Prior to the 2015 provincial election, we created the Agenda for Justice, which provides background information and the CBA position on a number of issues affecting our province, including the division of property among unmarried couples, reforming the family justice system, and legal aid funding. This is a living document that we update regularly and will continue to add new issues to as they arise. The document is publicly available on our website here

This document is also used in our regular meetings with Alberta Justice as a means of outlining our priorities.  The Agenda for Justice was front and centre at the Executive Committee’s recent regular meeting with Hon. Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.  Resources for the legal system, and especially the urgent need for increased judges, was a focal point of our discussion.  The Minister also asked for CBA’s support and assistance in encouraging a diverse range of candidates to apply to be judges, as diversity on the Bench is an objective for all levels of the court.  The CBA has also spoken nationally on the importance of diversity on the Bench, and we urge those of you who would contribute to diversity to take a second look at applying.

While we are only a few short months into the 2016 – 2017 CBA year, it is shaping up to be an eventful one for our organization. At the recent meeting of the National Council in August, a resolution was put forward proposing a new governance structure for the CBA, resulting from the Re-Think initiative. The resolution was passed, and will result in the dissolution of the National Council and a revamping of the National Board of Directors. Work on the Re-Think initiative is still ongoing, with teams of CBA staff and members in place to begin transitions to the new governance structure, as well as other organizational changes. More information on this resolution and the Re-Think initiative is available online. 

Throughout the consultations that were done as part of the Re-Think initiative, it was made apparent that a need exists within the CBA to focus on young lawyers (that is, law students, articling students, and those lawyers that are 10 year calls or less). As a result, the CBA has developed CBA Connect, which focuses on meeting the needs of young lawyers. CBA Connect has three parts – Connect-U, ConnectNet and Connexions. Connect-U will focus on the needs of law students, and ConnectNet will be an online resource and “one stop shop” for tools and resources for the young lawyer when it is launched later this year. The Alberta Branch is currently piloting the Connexions program with five other branches, which connects young lawyers who are new to the CBA with member peers in their area who act as “guides” to CBA programs and services. More information about this program is available online at www.cba.org/CBA-Connect

With fall nearly over, members are reminded that the deadline to renew your national CBA members has passed. If you have not yet renewed your membership, you can do so online at www.cba.org/membership. While you are renewing your national membership, take a look at the Portfolio and Portfolio Plus packages that are available. These packages are ideal for those CBA members who are active in sections, regularly participate in professional development, or attend CBA conferences and other events, as they provide education credits that can be used towards any approved CBA purchase. Other benefits include free materials-level registrations to Alberta sections and rebates on CBA purchases made throughout the year. 

Section registration is also still open for all Alberta members. Professional development from the CBA Alberta is primarily delivered through sections, and they are an excellent way to connect with colleagues in your area of practice, or other area of interest. Section meetings are available for attendance in person out of our Calgary and Edmonton offices, or by live webcast for those living elsewhere. For more information on sections in Alberta and to register, go to www.cba-alberta.org/Sections.

This year is shaping up to be one filled with change and opportunity for both the CBA and the profession. The Alberta Executive Committee is dedicated to continuously improving the experience of our members, and advocating for the profession as a whole. We welcome any questions, comments or suggestions that you have for us. You can find the contact information for all Executive Committee members on the CBA Alberta website. Here’s to another great year!


Jeremiah Kowalchuk is the 2016-17 President of the Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch. Prior to his involvement on the CBA Alberta Executive Committee, he co-chaired the Alberta Law Conference planning committee. Jeremiah is a partner at Field LLP, and serves as the Chair of the firm’s General Litigation Practice Group in Edmonton.