Back To Law Matters | Summer 2014

President's Report

A visit to Iqualuit, Nunavut rounds off travels over the course of nineteen years of CBA membership, attending conferences and meetings in every province and territory. Mementos of a Manitoba winter scene, an Inukshuk from Citizenship Court at Law Day 2014, and an Inuit carving, remind me of close CBA ties, the diversity of Canadian culture and beauty of our vast country.

Books on my coffee table capture the year as CBA President: Breaking Through: Tales from the Top Canadian Women General CounselSaskatchewan WildSick to Death of the Silence: Stories to break down the stigma of mental illness;Shake Hands with the Devil, and People, Principles, Progress: The Alberta Court of Appeal’s First Century 1914 to 2014. It is against this backdrop that I have had the opportunity to be part of the work of CBA, part of a worthy profession, and give back to a community that has been so good to me. 

With support from the CBA office, your Executive has strongly advocated issues of law and justice, ranging from sustainable funding of the Calgary’s drug court to reforming traffic court, and employment standards. The Branch commends initiatives of the Alberta government in leading multi-disciplinary discussions to improve justice for family matters. CBA plays a leadership role representing the legal sector, and continues to build relationships with Government, the Courts, the Law Society of Alberta, Pro Bono Law and legal clinics throughout the province in pursuit of equal justice. You can read more about the spring sitting of the Legislature, from the Legislative Review Committee summary here.  

Alberta enjoys the strongest judicial membership in the country - that’s numbers, not per capita, thanks to stewardship of CBA judicial liaison and past CBA President, the Honourable Assistant Chief Judge Richard O’Gorman. In keeping with tradition, greetings were brought to eighteen judicial swearing-in ceremonies before all levels of Court this year. In addition, the Branch upholds the independence of the judiciary, and in the wake of successful submissions before the Justice of the Peace Compensation Review Commission, the Alberta Branch is prepared to make submissions on behalf of Provincial Court Judges. 

Momentum is also gathering to ensure Alberta’s courts have a sufficient complement of judges, with CBA National President Fred Headon testifying before the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee in support of a resolution moved by Alberta for more superior court judges. National also spoke at the CBA Constitutional and Human Rights Law Conference about a fair judicial appointment process to the Supreme Court of Canada, and to the Senate Social Affairs, Science, and Technology Committee in favour of changes to Bill C-24, Strengthening Canadian Citizenship Act, and Bill C-13, Protecting Canadians from Online Crime Act.

This work is achieved thanks to volunteers committed to a common goal: advancing the profession, public interest and administration of justice. I encourage you to be an active member of your CBA. You will join a branch that leads the country in Portfolio and Portfolio Plus members, categories that reward your engagement. A full list of benefits and a fee calculator are available at www.cbamembership.org.  

Sections continue to be a premier professional development opportunity, offering case reviews and presentations by experts.  This year, notable speakers included The Honourable Neil Wittmann, Chief Justice of the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta, The Honourable Terry Matchett, Chief Judge of the Provincial Court of Alberta, The Honourable Lawrence Anderson, Assistant Chief Judge, Edmonton Criminal Court, The Honourable Jonathan Denis, QC, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, and other distinguished guests. Sections continue to expand, with two new south additions in Pension & Employee Benefits Law (including webcasting for members in surrounding communities), and Municipal Law. 

Another opportunity for professional development is the CBA Legal Conference to be held in St. John’s, Newfoundland this month. In addition to enjoying the hospitality of our friends on the Atlantic Coast, you will be among the first to hear about sustainability of the profession in the 21st Century, as findings of the Legal Futures Initiative are revealed. 

Please join me in welcoming Steven N. Mandziuk, QC, who, as Branch President for 2014-2015, will help lead this transformation with Wayne Barkauskas, Vice-President, Jeremiah Kowalchuk, Treasurer, and Jenny McMordie, Secretary. It is also my pleasure to congratulate Michele Hollins, QC, past CBA Alberta President, as she assumes her role as CBA National President. 

I hope I have lived up to Honourable Judge Higa’s commendation introducing my term as CBA Alberta President. It has certainly been a highlight of my career to be part of the history of this great organization and work with outstanding individuals who care about the law and the profession. The year has been especially enjoyable thanks to my Executive, Maureen Armitage, Heather Walsh, the entire CBA team, and all those who have served before and continue to make CBA Alberta strong and proud. Thank you for your confidence and commitment as we continue to grow and strengthen our profession, across the prairies, mountains, and from sea to sea to sea.


Marian is the 2013 - 2014 President of the Canadian Bar Association, and a long-time CBA volunteer, having previously been involved as Section Coordinator and many other capacities. Marian is also the Executive Director of the Alberta Lawyers' Assistance Society, which provides confidential help to lawyers, students, and their families with personal issues.