EVENT: Resistance Continues to Harper’s Omnibus Crime Bills (May 23, 6:30 – 8:30)

Resistance Continues to Harper’s Omnibus Crime Bills

In March 2012, the federal Conservatives passed the Omnibus Crime Bill C-10, despite the protests of thousands of Canadians that the bill would greatly increase the prison population, would not prevent crime, would cost billions of dollars and would have a devastating impact on already marginalized communities, particularly Aboriginal communities who are already drastically over-represented in Canadian prisons.

Harper is not done: Bill C-54, currently before Parliament, could drastically increase the length of detention for those found “not criminally responsible.”

On January 17th, the Law Union of Ontario hosted a community meeting to brainstorm ways to prevent the implementation of the omnibus crime bill and stop Harper’s unjust law and order agenda.

Please join up for an important follow-up meeting, for updates and action to further the resistance.

Thursday, May 23
Friends House – Meeting Room
60 Lowther Avenue (just north of Bloor, near St. George Station)
Toronto, ON
6:30-8:30 pm
https://www.facebook.com/jackie.esmonde?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/511737898888895/?context=create

Featured Speakers:

Suzan Fraser (lawyer): an update on Bill C-54, and its implications for prisoners.

Updates from the four working groups struck at the January 17th meeting

There will time to work together to brainstorm next steps.

Light refreshments will be provided

ASL and child care will be available. Please email esmondej@hotmail.com by May 17th if you require these services.

Hosted by the Law Union of Ontario’s Prison Justice Committee

For updates please check:
https://www.facebook.com/jackie.esmonde?ref=tn_tnmn#!/events/511737898888895/?context=create
www.twitter.com/LawUnionOntario
www.lawunion.ca

Call to Action: May Day March on May 1st

The Law Union of Ontario is calling upon its members and allies to march in solidarity with
workers for May Day 2013 on Wednesday May 1st at 5:30 pm at Toronto City Hall.

Click here for more information.

2013 Law Union Conference Receives LSUC CPD Hours Accreditation

The Conference Committee of the Law Union of Ontario is pleased to announce that 40 Years of Resistance: Looking Forward Looking Back – Law Union of Ontario Conference 2013, to be held this coming March 16th, has been accredited by the Law Society of Upper Canada for Continuing Professional Development hours.

The plenary session, titled “Panels Full of Women” has been accredited by the Law Society for 1.5 Professionalism Hours, while the remainder of the agenda is eligible up to 5.75 Substantive Hours.

Conference attendees are reminded to keep a token attesting to their attendance at the Conference (whether it be a receipt, a conference program, or a registration confirmation email) in the event that their CPD hours declaration is audited by the Law Society.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE LAW UNION OF ONTARIO: March 16, 2013

LOOKING FORWARD, LOOKING BACK: 40 YEARS OF RESISTANCE
Annual Conference of the Law Union of Ontario

Join us on Saturday, March 16, 2013, for the Law Union of Ontario’s Annual Conference! 2013 marks the 40th anniversary of the Law Union, and this year’s conference will bring progressive legal and activist communities together to discuss an exciting and challenging series of issues.

The conference will be held at Victoria College, on the University of Toronto campus. The address is 91 Charles Street, with the building just south of Charles. This facility is wheelchair accessible. Follow this link for a map of the exact location of the conference: http://map.utoronto.ca/building/501

Scroll down for the full schedule of panels and speakers.

This program has been accredited by the Law Society for 1.5 Professionalism Hour(s) and up to 5.75 Substantive Hours.

FRIDAY, MARCH 15TH: ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT THE TRANZAC

In honour of the Law Union’s 40th anniversary, join other conference-goers on the evening of Friday, March 15th, for a celebration with live music, drinks, reflections, and awards. This event will be held at the Tranzac, 292 Brunswick Avenue, Toronto, from 7:30 pm onwards. All are welcome!

CONFERENCE PROGRAM: MARCH 16TH
Victoria College

REGISTRATION: 8 AM

PANELS: 9 – 10:30 am

Envisioning the New Law Practice Program
Renatta Austin, Articling Student, City of Toronto
Elena Iosef, Osgoode Hall Legal and Literary Society
Janet Minor, Ministry of the Attorney General, Law Society Bencher

Deconstructing the Doctrine of Discovery
Tannis Nielsen, Artist and Educator

Mental Health and Justice: Three Unique Voices – Psychiatric Survivors, Defence and Crown Counsel
Anita Szigeti, Hitlz Szigeti LLP
Kelley Bryan, Swadron Associates
Katalin Kirec, Ministry of the Attorney General
Sarah Shartal, Defence Counsel
Lucy Costa, Empowerment Council, CAMH

Working on the Margins: Perspectives on Migrant Work in Canada
Fay Faraday, Osgoode Hall Law School, Faraday Law
Kelly Botengan, Magkaisa Centre, Phillipine Women’s Centre
Evelyn Encalada, Justice for Migrant Workers

MORNING PLENARY: 10:45 am – 12:15 pm

Panels full of Women: 40 Years Later, Has Anything Changed?
Beth Symes, Symes Street & Millard LLP, Law Society Bencher
Janet Minor, Ministry of the Attorney General, Law Society Bencher
Jessica Wolfe, Legal Aid Ontario
Sharon Walker, Dykeman Dewirst O’Brien, LLP

PANELS: 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Resonance: Police Racial Profiling and Intelligence Gathering
Vickie McPhee, Rights Watch Network
TBA

Decolonizing Relationships: Treaties and Beyond
Diane Kelly, Former Ogichidaakwe (Grand Chief), Treaty #3
Crystal Sinclair, B.S.W., Activist and Organizer, Idle No More Toronto
Lorraine Land, Olthuis Kleer Townshend

Advocacy out of the Courtroom: Skills without Gowns
Asha James, Falconer Charney LLP
Janina Fogels, Human Rights Legal Support Centre
Diana Zlomistic, Toronto Star

Denial by Process: Resisting Neoliberal Restructuring of the Social State
Barbara Jackman, Jackman and Associates
Elizabeth Bruckmann, West Toronto Community Legal Services
Lucy Costa, Empowerment Council, CAMH
Sarah Shartal, Defence Counsel