We call upon the Federation of Law Societies of Canada to ensure that lawyers receive appropriate cultural competency training, which includes the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.
Why “In Progress”?
On June 6, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved 9 recommendations that chart path towards reconciliation.
On Aug. 7, 2020 the Federation unanimously approved all nine recommendations including mandatory Indigenous cultural competency training and ensuring access and availability to educational opportunities and collaborating with Indigenous organizations in the development and delivery of cultural competency training.
Most of the Provincial Law Societies have initiated a response to this Call to Action. The Canadian Bar Association endorses this C2A as do multiple Faculties of Law.
Jan. 30, 2023: CBC – After receiving a petition signed by 50 of the province’s 11,100 lawyers, the Law Society of Alberta has issued notice of a special meeting to vote on LSA Rule 67.4 regarding mandatory education. Currently, all Alberta lawyers are required to take a free, five-hour online course called The Path, which teaches Indigenous cultural competency. Those who don’t face suspension.
The vote is to get rid of LSA Rule 67.4 and specifically targets The Path.
Feb. 6 2023: Lawyers in Alberta voted in favour of retaining LSA Rule 67.4 by a vote of 2,609 to 864, of the 3,473 votes cast.
Current Status
March 1, 2023
In Progress
Previous Status
December 31, 2022
In Progress
Latest Updates
Site last updated on February 6, 2023
Commitment of Law Societies
Indigenous course to continue after lawyers vote to keep Alberta law society rule for mandated education
3,400 voted Monday in Law Society of Alberta special meeting The Law Society of Alberta held a meeting Monday in response to a petition to……
February 6, 2023
Commitment of Law Societies
Sustaining progress in Indigenous legal education
Since the release of the TRC report in 2015, momentum has been building toward Indigenous justice and reconciliation. But stronger and deeper commitments and actions……
October 11, 2022
Commitment of Law Societies
1st Supplement to the Guide for Lawyers Working with Indigenous Peoples released
The Advocates’ Society, the Indigenous Bar Association and the Law Society of Ontario are pleased to announce the release of the 1st Supplement to the Guide for……
September 29, 2022
Commitment of Law Societies
Law Society of Alberta
Pipestone Flyer – All lawyers in Alberta will take Indigenous Cultural Competency training starting in early 2021 as part of the Law Society of Alberta’s response……
November 9, 2020
Commitment of Law Societies
Commitment to Reconciliation
Federation of Law Societies – Federation Council unanimously approves recommendations that chart path towards reconciliation. The report was released on June 6, 2020 with 9……
June 6, 2020
Commitment of Law Societies
The Law Society of British Columbia
The Law Society of British Columbia has moved to require Indigenous cultural competency training for all practising lawyers in the province, in response to gaps……
December 9, 2019
Commitment of Law Societies
2019 Commitment
Commitment by incoming President Morgan Cooper, General Counsel of Memorial University in St. Johns Newfoundland to press ahead with work in response to the Calls……
November 15, 2019
Commitment of Law Societies
University of Saskatchewan Nunavut Law Program
Announced funding for the University of Saskatchewan Nunavut Law Program at the Nunavut Arctic College, a legal education program designed to increase the number of……
July 28, 2019
Law Society of Ontario Review
Law Society of Ontario Review
Jul 03, 2018: LAC SEUL FIRST NATION — The process that Canada followed to compensate Indian Residential School survivors was so flawed that it should be reopened,……
July 3, 2018
Commitment of Law Societies
The Law Society of Saskatchewan
The Law Society of Saskatchewan (the “Society”) recognizes the significance of the work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission and is committed to implementing the……
June 22, 2018