2023 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada developed 94 Calls to Action after hearing the stories from survivors and their families about the impacts of “Indian Residential Schools.” Call to Action 80, “[C]alls upon the federal government in collaboration with Indigenous peoples to establish a statutory holiday for Truth and Reconciliation to honour Indian Residential School survivors, their families, and communities and to ensure the public commemoration of history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.”

Since 2013, Orange Shirt Day has been observed by Indigenous peoples and their allies to honour the Indigenous children who were sent to residential schools in Canada. In 2021, the federal government passed legislative amendments that adhered to Call to Action 80, to establish Sept. 30 as an annual federal statutory day of commemoration known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Read the full article by Jessica Buffalo, Indigenous Initiatives Counsel, for insights, resources and events available for those seeking to learn more, reflect and act on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Honouring Justice Karen E. Hewitt

The Law Society is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of the Right Honourable Karen E. Hewitt. Justice Hewitt spent much of her career as a Crown Prosecutor where she handled complex prosecutions and major cases. She served as a Bencher with the Law Society in 2018 until she was appointed to the Alberta Court of Justice that same year. 

Our thoughts are with the friends, colleagues and loved ones who are impacted by this loss and thank Justice Hewitt for her service to the Law Society and to Alberta’s legal profession for so many years. 

A Celebration of Life will be held Thursday, Sept. 28 from 5:30–6:30 p.m. at the Zeidler Dome, Telus World of Science, 11211-142 Street NW, Edmonton, AB.

For more details and the opportunity to leave a note of condolence, please read Justice Hewitt’s obituary.

Apply to Serve on a 2024 Law Society of Alberta Committee

This is advance notice that on Oct. 12, 2023 applications to a limited number of Law Society of Alberta Committee vacancies will open. 

There are 12 anticipated committee vacancies:

• Audit and Finance (2 vacancies): The Audit and Finance Committee has approximately seven, two-hour meetings per year. 
• Conduct (6 vacancies): The Conduct Committee meets in panels consisting of three participants once a month, typically on a Tuesday. The panel composition is based on availability of committee members. All meetings are scheduled for two-hours; however, they may conclude sooner than the allocated time. Although seldom, there are also occasions where availability may be requested for Special Conduct Committee Panels, which occur outside of the aforementioned schedule. 
• Practice Review (4 vacancies): The Practice Review Committee meets in panels of three on Wednesday mornings. There are approximately 12 panel meetings each year, which typically last an hour and a half. The panel meetings are scheduled by the Tribunal Office and the panel composition is based on availability.

For details on how to prepare your application and more information, visit the website. If you have questions, please contact Governance. 

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