SR Vol 23 No 2, April 2005 - Nova Scotia Barristers' Society

We Volunteer 

the 

SOCIETY 

RECORD 

VOLUME 23 | NO. 2 | APRIL 05 

NOVA SCOTIA 

BARRISTERS’ SOCIETY 

w w w . n s b s . n s . c a 

Alex Keaveny volunteers with 

the Halifax Skatepark Coalition 

VISION, LEADERSHIP, EXCELLENCE - THE LEGAL PROFESSION IN NOVA SCOTIA

2 

The Society Record

C O N T E N T S 

VOLUME 23 | NO. 2 | APRIL 05 

the 

SOCIETY 

RECORD 

is published six times 

annually by the 

Nova Scotia 

Barristers’ Society 

Suite 1101-1645 

Granville Street 

Halifax, NS B3J 1X3 

Copyright 2003 

Mailed under Canada 

Post publications 

agreement number 

40069255 

Return undeliverable 

Canadian addresses to: 

Publications 

Administrator 

Nova Scotia Barristers’ 

Society 

Suite 1101 - 1645 

Granville Street 

Halifax NS B3J 1X3 

lneily@nsbs.org 

Susan Brown, Editor 

sbrown@nsbs.org 

Lisa Neily, 

Publications 

Administrator 

lneily@nsbs.org 

NOVA SCOTIA 

BARRISTERS’ 

SOCIETY 

www.nsbs.ns.ca 

We volunteer... 

on skates, on boards, with 

education programs, in the 

band, at the school, organizing 

concerts, writing books, on 

committees, on more boards, in 

other communities, to support 

the arts, and medical research. 


with young people, 

with the elderly, on more 

boards, we help with community 

projects, sports teams, collecting 

food for the food bank, doing 

legal work for local charities, 

teaching, organizing conferences 

and fund-raisers, on school 

councils, on even more boards. 


to clean up, put on plays, coach, 

lead, teach some more, organize 

holiday parties, feed animals, 

and assist the ill. 

And we volunteer our time and 

expertise on numerous Society 

committees. 

We hope you enjoy the second 

annual Volunteer Issue of the 

Society Record. 

Last year’s game between the crown prosecutors and 

defence teams was an exciting fundraiser for the food 

bank. This year, four teams — crown, defence, judges 

and politicians — will battle it out on the rink at the 

Forum in Halifax, April 16 and 17, from 6 – 9 pm. Join the fun, 

and bring a non-perishable food item or cash donation, with 

all proceeds going to Feed Nova Scotia. For more information, 

contact Frank Hoskins at 424-8734, or Kelly Serbu at 462-5578. 

(Local gossip indicates that the judges’ team has the best bench.) 

April 2005 3

After reading the February 05 edition of the Society Record, 

I felt compelled to offer this brief e-mail of congratulations 

to you and your staff for the quality of your publication. When 

I mean quality, the word not only refers to the high publication 

standards and the competency of the authors writing the 

articles, but to the quality of caring for fellow persons that 

seems to be at the heart of what you are doing. This edition 

in particular is about people helping other people, not lawyers 

helping clients, and certainly not about the gain to be extracted 

in practice from clients. Being out on the west coast I miss 

the sense of community that exists back home, and your 

publication made me aware, again, with pride, of good people 

doing good work. It’s a wonderful quality. Thank you so much. 

Neil R. MacLean 

Guild, Yule and Company 

Vancouver, BC 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 


THE 

PRESIDENT’S 

VIEW 

Since my last column in February, there have been a 

number of interesting items to come before both your 

Executive and Bar Council. 

Our January council meeting dealt with the maternity leave 

proposal. Although the proposal was defeated, there was a 

substantial feeling among Council members that something 

can and should be done, but that this might be more effectively 

dealt with by the proposed Membership Assistance Program. 

Unfortunately, the rollout of the Membership Assistance Program 

has been delayed, but I can assure you this issue will not 

be forgotten or swept away. 

All members are by now aware of a substantial defalcation 

perpetrated by one of our members. By the time you receive 

this column, Bar Council will have dealt with the issue as to 

whether the limits on the reimbursement funds should be lifted 

to deal with all proper claimants who fi le for reimbursement. 

Quite obviously, this is a matter that will affect all of us with a 

substantial fi nancial impact. 

This is the second annual issue to be devoted to volunteers. 

Like many of you, on reading last year’s issue I was amazed at 

how many lawyers volunteer their time for good causes. Once 

again, this issue will present further evidence of the hard work 

and dedication of a cross-section of our members, and the levels 

to which they are engaged in and serve their communities. 

I was privileged to attend an event coordinated by the Bar Society 

entitled “Uncommon Law” held on February 28 (see page 

21). The event attempted to engage a number of young people 

who have been, or are at risk of becoming involved in the legal 

system, or who have been involved in foster or group home 

care. A number of lawyers attended as did one of our Supreme 

Court Judges. I was terribly impressed with the young people 

that I met. I certainly had my views broadened when I attended 

a “hip hop” culture workshop! Susan Brown, our Communications 

Offi cer, and Lisa Neily, our Publications Administrator, 

deserve a great deal of credit for facilitating that meeting. 

In closing, I believe we are all very proud of our volunteers. 

As Gail Rudderham Chernin, Q.C. said in last year’s issue, “It 

makes me proud to be a lawyer.” 

In some volunteer work I do, I often refer to the Nova Scotia 

Barristers’ Society as a volunteer organization. Although 

there is a competent professional staff that works for the 

Society, the essence of self-regulation is embodied in the concept 

of “lawyers governing lawyers.” It is in that context that 

hundreds of lawyers volunteer to serve their community – by 

devoting their time, energy and talent to the governance of the 

profession. The numbers are impressive – 34 volunteers on 

Bar Council, 16 on the Investigative Committee and 25 on the 

Formal Hearing Committee. Eleven volunteers on the Liability 

Claims Fund Board, 14 on the Qualifi cations and Bar Admission 

Course Committee and 31 volunteer Bar Examiners. We 

have 65 volunteer lawyers involved in the work of our Administration 

of Justice Committee and liaison with the courts. Add 

to these the value of those who serve on 17 other committees, 

and lawyers’ contribution to the Society is signifi cant. 

We celebrate them and all those who give to the communities 

in which they live through volunteer effort. By doing so lawyers 

enhance the quality of life in their neighbourhoods, towns and 

cities. We engage in community to preserve the civil society 

that is Canada. For what we do as volunteers, lawyers deserve 

a collective pat on the back and a big thank you! 

Darrel Pink 

Executive Director, Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society 


WESTERN 

NOVA SCOTIA 

scoring big 

with Big Brothers/Big Sisters 

Phil Star and Brandon Ogden 

6 


Big Brothers Big Sisters of Yarmouth is a mentoring 

organization which deals with children between the ages 

of 6 and 16, generally from single-parent families. The 

agency is comprised of a volunteer Board of Directors, 

and two staff. Our president, Philip J. Star, Q.C., has been a 

devoted and dedicated member since 1984. Under the direction 

and leadership of Mr. Star our ability to serve the children and 

raise much-needed funds has dramatically improved. He was 

instrumental in building partnerships with local groups and 

businesses such as the Mariners Hockey Team, which allowed 

the agency to access much-needed volunteers to match with the 

children on our waiting list. 

The agency staff, under the direction and guidance of the Board 

of Directors, is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the 

programs. In the Traditional Program and Couples for Kids, 

adult volunteers are screened and trained to prepare them to work 

on a one-to-one basis with children in need in our community, 

in order to provide guidance, leadership and friendship and 

build self-esteem. The In School Mentoring Program is a true 

cooperative effort between the local schools, businesses and the 

agency. Schools refer children, local businesses allow employees 

flexible lunch hours in order to meet with the children, and adult 

volunteers are recruited, screened and monitored by Big Brothers 

Big Sisters. An In School Mentor volunteer spends time each week 

at the school working with a child on a one-to-one basis. Matches 

in all of these programs are monitored and supervised on a regular 

basis in order to assess the progress of the relationship. 

Through a grant from the Department of Justices’ Community 

Mobilization Program, a pilot project has been put in place in order 

to address the problem of bullying in our community. Children 

who have been identified as being either bullies or victims are being 

matched with adult volunteers 

who will help these children 

by providing friendship, and 

as role models helping with 

Philip Star, Q.C. 

Pink Star Murphy Barro 

appropriate coping skills. This pilot program was developed in 

response to concerns brought to the agency by parents, volunteers, 

and members of the community. 

Our volunteer board works tirelessly to raise awareness and funds 

for this organization. Tremendous community support is shown 

through fund-raising events such as Bowl for Kids Sale and TV 

Auction, which are supported by more than 120 local businesses 

and community groups. In addition to the Mariners Hockey team, 

partnerships have also been developed with elementary schools, and 

the local community college’s Early Childhood Education Program. 

There are eight Big Brothers Big Sisters offices in various 

communities in Nova Scotia. To find out about volunteering in 

your area, go to www.bbbsc.ca, or call 902-466-KIDS (5437) for 

more information. 

Judy Melanson, Executive Director, Big Brothers Big Sisters, 

Yarmouth 

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Learning through 

creative arts 

I with special needs and 

resources for people working 

with special needs populations. 

volunteer with the Alexander Society for Special Needs 

(ASSN). It provides arts-based educational programs to 

children and teens 

Kelly Richards-Aubé 

Nelson Law 

The society produces materials such as videos and workbooks, 

organizes workshops and special guest speakers, and promotes the 

inclusion of people with special needs into their communities. 

The ASSN offers two ongoing programs for young people who 

have a wide range of abilities and challenges: the Creative Arts Play 

Group for ages 5 - 12; and Creative Arts for Teens for ages 13 - 20. 

Creative Arts programs provide young people with delightful 

opportunities for creative play with peers, while engaging in activities 

that enhance sensory integration. The objective is to further the 

cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth of the participants. 

Each program is focused around one story, usually a traditional 

fairy tale or hero legend, developed over the course of eight to ten 

weeks. This gives lots of room for repetition and exploration, as 

well as possibilities for new social relationships. Drama, movement, 

music and art are interwoven to reinforce learning. All activities are 

carefully structured to provide different sensory experiences. 

To learn more about the ASSN, please contact Kathleen Purdy 

(kp@alexandersociety.org) or check out our website at 

www.alexandersociety.org. 

8

Leading the parade 

Being a civilian volunteer to a regular Force Military 

Band requires interest, time and skill but also has many 

rewards. I have been involved in military bands since 

age 13 when I first joined the 517 Squadron Air Cadet 

Band which, at the time, 

was the largest cadet band in W. Bruce Gillis, Q.C. 

Canada. Although my chosen Durland Gillis 

instrument was trumpet and I 

eventually played with the band of the West Nova Scotia Regiment 

and the McGill Concert Band as lead trumpet, I did not have a 

chance to explore my interest in bagpipe music until the 1980s 

when I became involved in establishing the very first Annapolis 

Valley Highland Games. 

New Minas club 

helps in Ghana 

The Canadian Armed Forces have brass and reed military bands 

and pipes and drums across the country, all under the auspices of 

the regular Forces. Weekly practices and frequent performances 

are demanding, but the results are rewarding. 

Our band has a busy schedule of performances for Base functions 

at Greenwood, including Change of Command Parades, Mess 

functions and concerts, and we appear regularly at parades and other 

functions in the Annapolis Valley and around the province in support 

of community endeavours like the Children’s Wish Foundation and 

the Annual Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Parade. 

The band has also performed at the Nova Scotia International 

Tattoo, the Chilliwack 

Centennial Tattoo, the 

Gander International 

Tattoo, and as 

representatives of our 

country in the Bermuda 

Spring Festival and 

the NATO Festival in 

Norfolk, Virginia. 

I also serve as the 

band’s Duty Bugler 

for Remembrance Day 

ceremonies, memorial 

services, and military and 

Royal Canadian Legion 

funeral services. 

Although there is no 

salary involved, I have, 

since the early 90s, 

carried the title of Drum 

Sergeant, and I am, at 

present, the longest serving member in the band. 

As a member of New Minas Rotary Club, I have taken 

on the position of chair of the School/Student Liaison 

Committee, and through that committee, I have worked 

with a teacher and my committee members to form the 

Horton High School Interact Club. This 

is a student service club off-shoot of the 

New Minas Rotary, though it functions 

independently and has its own causes. 

Jeffrey D. Silver 

Muttart Tufts DeWolfe & Coyle 

At present, we are entering into a significant partnership with a 

village in Ghana, and we are raising funds to be used as part of 

their community project to build a vocational school and a health 

clinic. We are working out the program with this year’s Interact 

Club members (approximately 30 students). Our intention is to 

have Grade 10 students join the club next year and in three years’ 

time, take them to Ghana as part of the project. We are hoping 

that this will develop into a greater community project and, for 

that reason, the teacher rep on the club and I may be traveling to 

Ghana this summer to assess the challenges and our opportunities 

to assist in their community. 

Other Interact Club activities have included selling pumpkins 

in cooperation with the Canadian Food Grain Project for 

overseas relief, and, as of April of this year, training seniors in 

basic computer skills. Students volunteer their time on Sunday 

afternoons to perform this training. 

This is a very time-consuming project, but my firm is behind me 

100 percent and the Interact Club is expecting to do great things in 

the future. It is difficult not to have a passion for the law, but even 

more difficult not to get passionate about this project. 

The support given by the band to both the military community 

and the Annapolis Valley and our country is always appreciated, 

and the band has won many recognitions and awards. 


caring community 

a tremendous 

Sitting in court on the Tuesday after New Year’s, I was 

troubled by the images I’d viewed all weekend about the 

victims of the tsunami in Asia. 

We must all try to do something to help. I thought, what about a 

concert in our newly renovated theatre 

Five days later dozens of entertainers were on the stage of the 

Imperial Theatre in Windsor performing before a near-sellout 

crowd of 275 people to raise money for the victims. As a result, 

some $10,500 was raised for the Canadian Red Cross. 

The concert, called the “Fantastic Caring/Sharing Benefit Concert 

for Asia,” featured a broad array of local talent and was a hit. 

Spectators not only paid $10 to see the show, but also donated 

money to the cause. 

The first stop on the concert trail was Mermaid Theatre, which 

readily offered their newly renovated Imperial Theatre for the 

venue. Then a stop at Moe’s Music, two doors down from my law 

office, to discuss possible acts. The good folks at Moe’s offered a 

list but advised it would take two or three weeks to put together a 

proper concert. But the deadline was January 11 in order to have 

donations doubled by the government. 

So Wednesday morning the performers were called, starting with 

Brian Johnston of the Centennial Dixieland Band, a buddy from 

the local Gyro Club. One by one the acts added up – we were 

starting to see a concert coming together. 

At that point a call was put in to the local radio station to provide 

an MC for the concert. Of course, the station volunteered to 

promote the concert as well. Then a call was made to Ed Martin, a 

fellow Rotarian who runs a print shop. Soon there were 100 colour 

posters around town promoting the concert. 

collecting cheques 

from friends and 

clients. 

Saturday was spent putting together and producing the program 

and making final calls trying to sell tickets. Finally, a moving 

powerpoint slide presentation was put together to show the 

audience just what the concert was all about. 

On concert day there were many happy surprises. The talent put 

together was simply outstanding and the crowd reaction amazing. 

The local MP showed up, together with the Mayors of Windsor 

and Hantsport, and Warden of West Hants. 

It was a great success, but not surprising. Windsor is a tremendous 

caring community. We just finished raising $600,000 to build a 

new library. People in Windsor are generous with both their time 

and talent. 

I’ve been on United Way fundraising cabinets in Saint John, 

Edmonton and Halifax, and in Edmonton we teamed with The 

Edmonton Sun to produce an instant-book on the July 31, 1987 

tornado, which raised $1 million for victims of the tragedy. 

“To whom much is given, much is expected.” In my view, 

lawyers don’t get credit for the volunteer hours they spend. This is 

particularly true for rural lawyers who freely donate time, talent 

and effort without fanfare. In our small firm, the lawyers give 

hundreds of volunteer hours to various causes without hesitation. 

And it is a privilege to do so. 

James White 

How Lawrence White Bowes 

A call to a neighbour who is a Lion gave unexpected results. I had 

asked him if the Lions could sell tickets. He responded that they 

would, but that they would also like to donate money. 

With a new source of revenue, Thursday was spent making phone 

calls to local corporate clients and service organizations. Suddenly, 

we had more than $5,000 pledged – before the concert had begun. 

Friday was collection day and I made my way around Windsor 

10 



icing on the 

cake 

As a single mother and a practicing lawyer, people often 

ask: “Where do you find the time to write books” I 

usually answer: “Good question.” Like everything in life, 

it’s a matter of wanting to do something, and wanting to 

make a difference. 

The difference is simply this: every book I’ve written has been for 

a specific charity. I always think, if I were rich, I could write a nice 

fat cheque to whatever charity I chose. But that wouldn’t be nearly 

as much fun. 

When I finished my articles, 

instead of jumping head first 

into the trenches with my 

Marci Lin Melvin 

Nova Scotia Legal Aid 

colleagues, I took a job as a reporter with the Daily News. I wrote 

plays, which were produced in Halifax and Sydney, and I wrote a 

regular newspaper column called “Without Prejudice.” I promised 

myself that before I turned 40, I would have an actual book 

published. And I made it. In 1997, Christmas at Two Rivers was 

published and the following year, I published No Sugar Doughnuts 

Allowed! 

The net proceeds from the sale of these publications went to the 

Two Rivers Wildlife Park in Cape Breton. I was on the board of 

directors at the time, and the park was and is a wonderful refuge 

for families to visit. 

My third book, Where’s My Daddy, was for single moms to explain 

an absent parent in their child’s life. As a lawyer with Legal Aid 

– at that time for 16 years – and as a single mom myself, I well 

understood what single parents go through when that question is 

asked. The books have been donated to elementary school book 

fairs, hospitals, transition houses and to many of my clients. 

When I moved to Yarmouth, my son was in grade one, and I wrote 

about our beta fish. Lucky the Fish Who Lived in a Pickle Jar was 

published in 2001, with my son’s grade one class providing the 

illustrations. Burt Goodwin, the Canadian Tire Dealer in Yarmouth, 

told me about the Canadian Tire Charity, the Foundation for 

Families. He and Ron Anaka, the Canadian Tire Dealer in 

Bridgewater agreed to co-sponsor the publication of Lucky. The 

proceeds went to the Foundation, for children and families in need. 

12 


Ben’s Christmas Skates came out in time for Christmas, 2003. 

Canadian Tire dealers in Nova Scotia and a few others throughout 

Canada co-sponsored the printing of the book, with the proceeds 

going to the Foundation for Families. John D. Comeau, Chief 

Judge of the Family Court of Nova Scotia, did the illustrations, 

and we sold many books in Yarmouth. (I think Burt Goodwin 

called several other dealers in Nova Scotia to get their supply of 

books, because he kept running out!) We sold all of the books at 

the Sydney Canadian Tire store in three hours. The money from 

the sale of the books in Yarmouth went to a number of families 

whose apartment had burned down just before Christmas that year. 

My first novel, The Fortress of Her Heart, an historical romance, 

based on the last siege at the Fortress of Louisbourg in 1758, will be 

published by DreamCatcher Publishing in June. Royalties will be 

donated to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, Atlantic Division. 

Raising my child and practicing law is a wonderful way to go 

through life. But writing is my passion. And being able to use my 

story-telling abilities to raise money for charities important to me, 

well, that’s just icing on the cake.... 

Airport Service & 

Private Charters 

LimoBus, LimoVans, 

Limos, Sedans 

Corporate Accounts 

& Corporate Rates 

Available 

The Ultimate in Transportation 

ANNAPOLIS VALLEY LAW FIRM seeks associate lawyer. 

Applicant should be experienced in all areas of general 

practice and be a member in good standing with the Nova 

Scotia Barristers’ Society. 

Apply to: shudgins@waterburynewton.ns.ca 

www.ultrahalifax.com | 902-455-5466 

 

 

 

 

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oundaries 

breaking through the 

New Boundaries was first established at the Windsor 

Community Centre in 1974, when four eager 

university students secured a Canada Opportunities 

for Youth Work Grant to help mentally challenged 

adults become productive members of the community. Now 

located on Centennial Drive in Windsor, New Boundaries 

provides Windsor/West Hants mentally challenged adults with an 

opportunity to develop work, social, interpersonal and daily living 

skills that will assist them to reach their highest potential. 

The mission of New Boundaries is to provide a vocational service 

for adults with a mental challenge. New Boundaries provides several 

distinct work area options, including a Pre-vocational Area, where 

clients spend time learning basic skills and activities of daily living. 

There are several Vocational Training Areas, including a 

Woodworking Department where clients are engaged in a wide 

variety of projects, producing surveyor’s stakes, and other products 

specially made for industrial customers. Custom orders and kindling 

are also important components of the sales in the Woodworking 

Department. Employment training is also provided in a Used 

Clothing Recycling area, where donated clothing is sorted for 

resale and a bustling enterprise in rag manufacturing is carried on. 

The focus in these areas is more vocational, with expectations of 

employment in regular opportunities in the community for many of 

the participants in these areas. 

available and resumes 

are created for those 

seeking employment 

in the community. 

Harold Adams 

Adams & Company 

Due to increased demand for products and services, a 1600 sq.ft. 

expansion is planned for the spring, bringing the total floor space 

to 5200 sq.ft. Renovations completed five years ago included new 

assessable washrooms, doors and ramps, but through hard work, the 

loan for that has been paid. 

Harold Adams has been a valued member of the Board of Directors 

of New Boundaries Society since 2001. Besides being a dedicated 

director of the society, Mr. Adams also serves on committees 

including Admissions, which handles the difficult task of assessing 

and recommending clients for admission to the program. Mr. 

Adams provides a keen intellect that is greatly valued in the 

complex environment in which all charitable organizations must 

operate today. 

Bob MacAuly, Manager, New Boundaries 

New Boundaries also provides a Community Employment 

Program, providing job search and placement for participants in 

our regular programs. 

New Boundaries has grown to between 28 - 32 participants with 

numerous full- and part-time staff. The mandate has not changed 

a lot since the early years, with a strong emphasis on teaching selfreliance 

while developing a productive work ethic. 

However, over time, the ability of the organization and staff 

to address higher needs individuals has increased. Today, more 

individuals at New Boundaries are involved in pre-vocational 

type programming, where the emphasis is more on life skills than 

occupational pursuits. 

A strong focus is placed on realizing potential. If a worker displays 

a natural talent for a particular craft or skill, this is enhanced 

through more education and practical training. Computer training is 

14 

The Society Record 

Paul MacLean

one 

helping thousands of Nova 

call 

Scotians 

at a time 

As vice president of LISNS, I’ve seen first-hand how staff 

and volunteers provide answers to thousands of people in the 

community. The society helps the people of Nova Scotia find 

out what the rules are, and in turn, helps them to be betterinformed 

participants in the system. 

Volunteering with LISNS is a rewarding experience. As a 

former Legal Aid lawyer, I know that Legal Aid staff forward 

upwards of 1,500 calls a year to LISNS. LISNS is able to ensure 

that they get the opportunity to meet with a lawyer for some 

preliminary advice. I want to thank all lawyers in Nova Scotia 

for their generous support of this invaluable organization. 

Daniel A. MacRury 

Senior Crown Attorney 

Vice President, Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia 

LISNS would be unable to maintain the level of service to 

Nova Scotians without the following volunteers: 

Board Members 

Lori Duggan 

Fred Colaiacovo 

Dan MacRury 

Yvonne LaHaye 

Jim Crane 

Terry Yeadon 

Tilly Pillay 

Tammy Manning 

Kathy Sutherland 

Ann MacDonald 

Judge Carole Beaton 

Justice Leslie Dellapinna 

Jocelyn Dorrington 

Dale Darling 

Committee Members 

Tom Singleton 

Lara Morris 

Allan Fownes 

Tricia Avery 

Denise Smith 

Heather Antonsen 

Sean F. Layden 

David B. Robert 

James Whiting 

Thanks to this year’s law student volunteers Mark Lucas, 

Mark Bailey, Norman Stanford, Daniel Fuke, and Shenade 

Walker; Dalhousie student Stephanie Hault, who assisted in 

writing and updating Dial-a-law scripts; and Lisa Taylor, MC 

for the Law Lunch. 

There are over 150 more volunteers that are on call with 

the Lawyer Referral and Speakers Bureau services. Their 

commitment and value to the Legal Information Society of 

Nova Scotia is priceless. 


16 


cultural 

capital 

Symphony Nova Scotia and NSCAD University - 

rich in artistic tradition and accomplishments 

Van Penick 

McInnes Cooper 

Photo by Ted Power/NSBS 

Sculptures by NSCAD student, Jasmine Wallace 


Lawyers do two types of pro bono work: involuntary pro 

bono work, characterized as such in hindsight whenever 

clients don’t pay their accounts; and the voluntary 

type, which we choose in advance to do to support the 

communities we live in. Being a positive sort of person, I’ll focus 

on the latter. 

Many lawyers do volunteer work, applying the special skills they have 

developed practicing law in aid of the hundreds of health, religious, 

artistic, cultural, recreational and educational organizations that need 

our help. I’ve been involved – possibly because my artistic talents 

have not been a prominent part of my practice of law or possibly 

because I don’t have any and wish I did – in two organizations rich in 

artistic tradition and accomplishments: Symphony Nova Scotia and 

NSCAD University. 

If you haven’t been to a concert this year, you have missed a 

tremendously enjoyable component of Halifax’s cultural life. The 

orchestra has never played better. The players’ admiration and 

enthusiasm for their new conductor, Bernhard Gueller, is easy to 

see and even easier to hear. My favourite concerts are the Sunday 

afternoon Baroque concerts where Jeanne Lamon, leader of the 

country’s most renowned all-Baroque orchestra – Tafelmusik – guest 

conducts our orchestra with a combination of skill, enthusiasm and 

joy that is reflected back tenfold by the musicians to the audience. 

administration at NSCAD are brilliantly, unreasonably intelligent. 

The right side of my brain has never had such a workout. 

My not-for-profit experiences have given me skills I use regularly 

as a lawyer. I have learned how to run meetings, seek consensus, 

prepare business plans, negotiate (plead, really) with financial 

institutions, speak in public, participate in collective bargaining, 

deal with difficult personnel issues and make representations to 

government. And here’s the most important thing: I have gotten far 

more personal benefit out of my volunteer work with NSCAD and 

the Symphony than they have ever gotten out of me. 

I have been leery of offering advice ever since hearing Kurt 

Vonnegut’s famous graduation address in which he describes “advice” 

as “aggressive nostalgia.” But I do encourage every lawyer to make 

time for volunteer work. It doesn’t take a lot to make a significant 

contribution and you’ll get a tremendous kick out of it. 

Van Penick is the chair of McInnes Cooper’s Energy Law Group, the vice-chair 

of the Board of Governors of NSCAD University and the former President of 

Symphony Nova Scotia. 

Does Symphony Nova Scotia make music better than Warner 

Brothers makes movies Do live musicians produce live music with 

a sound cleaner than your 18 speaker surround sound home theatre 

reproduces it The answer to both questions clearly – especially 

clearly if you’ve seen Catwoman – is YES. 

NSCAD University was founded by Anna Leonowens a few years 

after her passion for teaching had been aroused by the King of Siam. 

It has 950 students who paint, film, weave, sculpt, make ceramics 

and jewelry, study art history and criticism, and design clothes and 

graphics. The basic degree is a rigorous (and if you don’t believe 

“rigorous,” just ask heart surgeon and recent NSCAD grad David 

Murphy) four year undergraduate bachelor of arts. There are quite 

a few adult education courses available, mostly in the evenings; a few 

years ago my wife Babs and I took a woodworking course and made 

lovely boxes for our mothers for Christmas. 

NSCAD is housed in the maze of mid-19th century historic 

properties whose southwest corner is the Split Crow. Students and 

faculty liven up the downtown markedly, and you may have seen 

the giant newly reinstalled NSCAD lions, complete with codfish on 

their stomachs, in the Granville Street pedestrian mall. 

NSCAD’s scope is worldwide. Two of our board members live in 

England, one in New York. Our students share artistic and cultural 

vision with students from as exotic and socially different places as 

India, Germany, Korea, Wales and Toronto. 

Diversity rules at NSCAD, and that’s why I’ve been pleased to be 

involved with it over the years: diversity in every conceivable measure, 

but particularly in thought. I used to hold to the general proposition 

that all people who are not lawyers are morons, and if you hold even 

a toned-down, more politically correct version of that thought, you 

need to get out more. I have found that the students, faculty and 

Used by permission/NSCAD University 

NSCAD University is Canada’s premier university dedicated 

to advancing the visual arts through education, research and 

production. Part of Nova Scotia’s cultural landscape since 1887, 

NSCAD offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fine and 

media arts, craft and design, and has done so for more than 30 

years. Its alumni are among Canada’s most highly regarded artists, 

gallery directors, designers, curators and art educators, and the 

university attracts major visiting artists from around the world. 

NSCAD’s unique campus is located mainly in a block of heritage 

buildings in the heart of Halifax’s downtown waterfront district, 

and its film program is in the Alliance Atlantis Academy Building at 

1649 Brunswick St. On March 4, the university entered a conditional 

agreement to lease space in the Halifax Port Authority’s Seawall 

redevelopment. NSCAD anticipates this expansion will house 

the university’s large-scale and semi-industrial activities, such 

as ceramics, sculpture, the wood and metal shops, the foundry, 

a new glassmaking studio and a technology innovation centre. 

Renovations are expected to begin in December, with classes and 

studios available by the fall 2006 semester. Visit www.nscad.ca for 

details. 

18 


Run for the Cure 

CBA recogizes three 

NS lawyers for 

community service 

Nancy Margeson, Executive 

Director, Canadian Breast Cancer 

Foundation, and Danny Gallivan, 

Q.C., Managing Partner, Cox 

Hanson O’Reilly Matheson 

Like lawyers everywhere, our lawyers and staff are involved 

in a wide variety of community organizations and 

charitable activities. But when Cox Hanson O’Reilly 

Matheson was formed in 1998, we started looking for a 

signature event we could get behind as a firm. We were looking 

for a prestigeous regional 

event and a solid partner Jim Musgrave 

charity. And while this Cox Hanson O’Reilly Matheson 

would certainly represent 

an investment from our marketing budget, it would ideally also be 

an event that would draw active participation from lawyers and staff, 

and support a cause that was meaningful to all members of the firm. 

The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation’s CIBC Run for the Cure met 

our criteria perfectly, and the firm signed on as a regional sponsor in 

2003. The CBCF is the leading national volunteer-based organization 

dedicated to the fight against breast cancer. Every October thousands 

gather in cities across Canada to Run for the Cure. 

Cox Hanson O’Reilly Matheson’s involvement in the Run goes far 

beyond the regional sponsorship, and I’m delighted to say that our 

involvement and commitment is increasing every year. The firm 

also contributes to the CBCF from its charities budget. During 

the year, our staff carry out in-house fundraising and awareness 

activities across Atlantic Canada on behalf of the CBCF. The pink 

ribbon of the CBCF marks the firm’s letterhead, website and many 

of our ads. We have also sponsored client entertainment events that 

spotlight the CBCF and the work it is doing. And of course, our 

lawyers and staff participate in the Run. 

In 2003, Cox Hanson O’Reilly Matheson introduced its “Business 

101 Award” in all Run venues across Atlantic Canada. Businesses and 

companies with less than 101 employees are eligible for this award, 

designed to engage small and medium sized businesses in the challenge of 

fundraising and to stimulate competition between company branches. 

I am happy to report that marketing and community involvement are 

not mutually exclusive. We are looking forward to this year’s Run and 

our continued association with CBCF and the Run for the Cure. 

Berrryhill Photo 

Trinda L. Ernst, Q.C., of 

Waterbury Newton in Kentville, 

is the 2004 recipient of the CBA’s 

Distinguished Service Award, 

presented to honour exceptional 

service to the Nova Scotia Branch of 

the CBA. As well as her work with 

the CBA, Trinda sits on the boards 

of several community organizations, 

and is a leader with the Girl Guides 

of Canada, who last year presented 

her with a Gold Award of Merit. 

Cheryl Hodder, of McInnes Cooper 

in Halifax was presented with the 

CBA Community Service Award for 

her valuable contributions to several 

organizations in the areas of health 

care fundraising, board governance 

and ethics in fundraising. She is also 

involved with Neptune Theatre, the 

Society of Fundraising Professionals, 

Symphony Nova Scotia, and the 

Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. 

Jeanne Desveaux, of Schofield & 

Desveaux in Upper Tantallon, is 

the 2004 recipient of the Zöe Odei 

Young Lawyers Award, recognizing 

exceptional service to the CBA, the 

community and charitable causes. 

Elsewhere in this issue, you can 

read about Jeanne’s work with the 

Alzheimers Society, and she also 

contributes her time and energies 

to the NS Association of Health 

Organizations; Northwoodcare, as 

a committee member and hospice 

volunteer; several school committees; the IWK; and the Centre for 

Diverse Visible Cultures NS. 

The 2005 Run for the Cure takes place on Sunday, October 2, 2005 at seven 

venues throughout Atlantic Canada. 


Andrew Abraham from 

Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) 

and Ammy Purcell from the 

Youth in Care Newsletter Project 

were involved in the planning 

of “UnCommon Law” 

20 


UnCommon Law: 

a meeting in the middle 

Lisa Taylor 

Merrick Jamieson Sterns Washington & Mahody 

If only you knew the things that I’ve done 

I can’t tell you now but they were all real fun 

I’d do them again I cannot be stopped 

Coz I’m smarter now I will not get caught 

I’m going to a place where crime is OK 

No matter what the sentence I’ll end up walking away 

During the process of working on the February issue 

of the Society Record, we met and spoke with several 

lawyers about youth justice issues. An idea was hatched: 

what if we could get a group of young people together 

with a group of lawyers and let them speak directly in a 

situation where they weren’t victims or accused dealing 

with counsel We contacted a couple of organizations 

that provide services to youth, and asked them to help us 

develop the idea and organize the event. 

Melissa Hum, Coordinator of Special Initiatives at Phoenix 

Youth Programs; Sarah MacLaren, Executive Director at 

Leave Out Violence; Shawna Hoyte, a lawyer with Dal Legal 

Aid Services; Michele Bushey, a social work student at 

DLAS; Rickcola Slawter, Youth Duty Counsel; Andrew Safer, 

Coordinator of the Youth in Care Newsletter project, and 

staff from the NSBS were joined by young people Rachel, 

Jonathan, Andrew, Ammy, Leanne, and others. We also 

had input from John Hartling and Alison Pickle from the 

Centre for Entrepreneurship, Education and Development 

(CEED), and their Youth Employability Project. We were 

assisted enormously in our planning and on the day by the 

facilitation provided by Tim Merry. 

This group rapidly developed a plan for an event that 

would make a difference to young people, and to the 

members of the legal profession who deal with them, 

often in crisis situations. The NSBS is most grateful for 

their time, expertise, and commitment. 

The poem, written and read by a 21-year-old Daniel, is a letter to a 

sentencing judge. Entitled “A Final Fuck Off,” the words are made 

more powerful by the young man’s understated, unaffected delivery. 

But Daniel isn’t here to accuse, he’s here to learn – and to teach. 

He’s one of 40 young people – including some who’ve been in 

trouble with, or feel targeted by the criminal justice system – to 

take part in “Uncommon Law.” They’ve been joined by an equal 

number of lawyers and others who work in the system – social 

workers, counselors, program coordinators. Uncommon Law’s 

common ground People on both sides of the equation who have 

come prepared to cut the rhetoric and speak plainly and honestly 

about youth, crime, and the problems with the system. 

Say what you mean, speak with intention, cut the crap. 

That was the directive issued by facilitator Tim Merry at the start 

of the day, and that’s precisely what happened. “I’m finding that 

99 percent of these people are really open to talking about things 

and are just down to earth, and we’re on a first-name basis which 

I think is a huge thing,” explains 18-year-old Andrew. He’s not 

used to hanging with lawyers, but he’s keen to bridge the gap. “In 

court, so often lawyers are talking legal lingo and we’re talking 

normal English and there are some communication issues, but 

here everybody’s trying,” he adds. “Pretty much everybody I’ve 

encountered at least has been really trying to open up and speak 

about things and be open to ideas, not just being rigid.” 

The room, the format, and the participants demand nothing less. 

The workshop style forces people to step outside their comfort 

zone – participants have to mix it up with a new group every half 

hour, to meet new people and tackle tough issues together. “I love 

the way it’s organized,” says 19-year-old Rachel, “That we have 

to listen before we can talk and that we have to switch up tables 

instead of just talking to the same people.” Frank talk flowed 


I wanted to jump up and shout, but I just sat and smiled. But he 

really seemed like he really cared, so it was really good.” 

Wide Open Spaces 

after presentations from four different youth groups: Leave Out 

Violence (known by the acronym LOVE), an organization of 

young people whose lives have been affected by violence, either as 

victims, perpetrators, or witnesses; the Youth in Care Newsletter 

group, made up of teens who are or have been in foster or group 

homes, and Phoenix Youth Programs. 

There’s also a group of youth from the Deafness Advocacy 

Association of Nova Scotia. Theirs is a simple yet powerful 

presentation – three people from the group stand at the front of 

the room and have an ordinary conversation – entirely in sign 

language. Barely anyone else in the room can sign, so we’re left 

in the dark, left to try to intuit what’s being said. It was a stark 

example of what it’s like not to know what’s being communicated 

around you, and not to have a voice. All of a sudden, people in the 

room started thinking a lot harder about how to communicate. 

Universal lesson: sometimes it takes attention and caring and 

concern to really get what others are saying. 

So pierced and tattooed teens rub shoulders with lawyers whose 

idea of dressing down entails not ironing their khakis on casual 

Friday. But, despite their differences, they learn from one another. 

“Basically we were told that if we wanted to get something out of 

the day you had to step up,” says lawyer Brian Bailey. He’s just 

finished lunch, sharing a table with a group of young people and 

Justice Gerald Moir. Over sandwiches and soft drinks, the table 

debated the question of personal responsibility, and to what extent 

should the community forgive a young person’s crimes on the basis 

of a difficult or unstable home life. Daniel – the poet – talks about 

the pressure of being a young person responsible for even younger 

siblings; he and the judge exchange a wry joke about house arrest. 

“You know if you’re just going to sit back and not portray who 

you really are and what you really are you’re never going to get 

anything out of this,” declares Bailey. 

I’m going to tell you about foster homes 

“Hello, my name is Justin, and I’m going to tell you about foster 

homes.” It’s not a nice story – nor is his friend Andrew’s description 

of group home life. And, on top of that, there’s the heartbreak of 

misunderstanding. “We are getting ripped out of our homes and put 

with strangers we don’t even know and it’s just hard to deal with,” 

Ammy from the Youth in Care Newsletter Project explains during 

a break. “And then on top of that, we get people saying we’re bad 

people just because everybody automatically thinks that it had to 

be something that we did, but it could be the parents, it could be 

a situation that can’t be helped.” Ammy was on the Uncommon 

Law organizing committee, a volunteer group of about six young 

people, plus youth group workers and NSBS staff. She says the 

event is surpassing her most optimistic expectations. “After our 

presentation I went back to our table and there was the judge – the 

one judge that’s here, he was at our table – and he said he didn’t 

know a lot of the things that we were saying, and he is going to take 

this information back to his profession,” she recalls, beaming as she 

recounts the conversation. “I was really, really happy to hear that. 

After lunch, participants are given what at first seems an impossible 

challenge – create a schedule of impromptu seminars for the 

afternoon – “Open Space” workshops that others are free to attend 

as they choose. The issues put forward are diverse – everything from 

“Who represents youth in Family Court” and “Would Somebody 

Please Tell Me My Rights During Arrest” to “Violent Video Games 

and Movies” and even a “Hip Hop Workshop.” It’s ambitious, yet 

it works. Soon every corner of the room is buzzing with activity, 

as people debate, disagree and learn. In the Role Playing area, 

Barristers’ Society Executive 

Director Darrel Pink is 

cast as a youth accused; 

a young person who’s 

donned robes portrays his 

lawyer. Pink’s voice can 

be heard throughout the 

room as he shouts at the 

judge, heatedly explaining 

that his counsel hasn’t 

even spoken to him, yet she’s suddenly acting on his behalf. 

It’s quite a scene – yet the outburst barely registers with the others, 

because they’re so engrossed in what’s happening in their workshops. 

“The adults, they’re really listening,” says Andrew, “and that’s pretty 

cool because I don’t get that a whole lot, so it’s really good.” 

Listening: Not Just an “Uncommon” Experience 

It was a feel-good day; but, at the conclusion, there was the question: 

now what To what extent could a single day really bring about 

change Most participants agree there’s much more to be done 

if both sides of the equation are going to better understand each 

other, and correct misapprehensions. And that takes more face-toface 

interaction far away from the courthouse, says lawyer Kevin 

MacDonald. “Even those young people who themselves have not 

had problems with the system have friends who have had problems,” 

MacDonald discovered during the course of the day. “So I think 

there can be a very negative view from the youth who’ve had no 

problem with the police or the justice system, but they still have a 

negative view because of what they’ve heard from others.” 

Changing places: Young people traded roles with lawyers in this UnCommon Law workshop. In 

this scenario, Tiffany, acting as a lawyer, urges the youth, played by Darrel Pink, to calm down. 

Photo by Andrew Safer/YIC Newsletter Project 

22 


UNCOMMON FEEDBACK 

One of the presenting groups, the Youth in Care Newsletter project, in front of the open spaces 

workshop wall. Back (l-r): Ammy, Tina, Kyle, Tiffany, Leo. Front (l-r): Justin, Andrew, Trevor. 

Photo by Andrew Safer/YIC Newsletter Project 

“It became clear that everyone could learn from 

everyone else; again this is not a position that 

our youth (or any youth) are generally given.” 

Melissa Hum, Phoenix Youth Programs 

“Youth at risk rarely have the opportunity to 

speak in a forum such as this, and channel their 

experiences positively rather than negatively.” 

The Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society and the committee of volunteer 

youth and youth workers are committed to taking the lessons 

learned during this pilot project and exploring the possibilities 

for partnerships that will see events like this become a regular 

occurrence. UnCommon Law is about finding common ground for 

youth, judges, lawyers and community service workers around the 

province. 

Which is precisely what Rachel took away from the event. “The 

most interesting thing that came up was that everybody feels alone, 

everybody feels like they’re not understood, every single person at 

some point in their life feels like nobody understands them,” she 

explains at day’s end. “But that’s twisted because if everybody 

feels like that, then we’re all together. That was one of the most 

interesting points that came up through the whole day.” 

Cynthia Carroll 

Coordinator of Development and Special Projects, ADCRF 

“I was impressed not only with the turnout, but 

the composition of participants - youth, lawyers, 

the ombudsman, workers from youth related 

fields and a JUDGE! It was refreshing to see 

everyone openly participating and interacting 

with one another.” 

Christine D. Brennan 

Office of the Ombudsman 

Certified Court Reporters for: 

Federal Court of Canada Trials 

Tax Court of Canada Trials 

Transportation Appeal Tribunal Hearings 

Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board Hearings 

Examinations For Discovery 

We provide daily transcripts upon request 

We have extensive overseas experience. 

We do not charge expenses for Toronto area discoveries. 

PROFESSIONAL COURT 

REPORTING AND 

TRANSCRIPTION SERVICES 

Serving the legal community since 1983 

Drake Recording Services Limited 

1592 Oxford Street 

Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3Z4 

ph: 1-902-421-1913 

fax: 1-902-422-6336 

e-mail: mark@drakerecording.com 

Call us Toll Free: 1-866-421-1913 

April 2005 23

24 


speaking out 

for the Nova Scotia 

Rainbow Action Project 

Kevin Kindred 

Cox Hanson O’Reilly Matheson 

The Nova Scotia Rainbow Actions Project (NSRAP) has been working since 

1995 to advance the rights of gay, lesbian, bisexual, two-spirited, transsexual, 

transgendered and “queer” people in Nova Scotia. We like to refer to this group 

as “the Rainbow Community” – which, at the very least, rolls off the tongue a 

little more easily. 

I am a relative newcomer to the Board of Directors for NSRAP, having only joined in the 

summer of 2004. However, it has been a very active year for NSRAP and other similar 

groups across the country, and I have had the opportunity to become very involved in such 

a short time. 

The work undertaken by NSRAP is quite varied. We have worked with human rights 

bodies, the education system, police, the justice system, health organizations, spiritual 

groups, and other organizations in order to promote equality in all facets of life in the 

province. We are also involved in a number of important research projects, and we try to 

serve as a voice for the Rainbow Community in the press. 

Our most obvious public accomplishment in the last year has been with respect to samesex 

marriage. In September, 2004, we participated in the court challenge that led to the 

legalization of same-sex marriage in Nova Scotia. Since then, we have been active in 

lobbying efforts to achieve federal legislation affirming same-sex marriage, and we have 

tried to maintain a strong media presence. I have been pleased to volunteer my legal 

and advocacy skills on this project, and have (somewhat inadvertently) become a media 

spokesperson on the issue. 


While a lot of time and effort has gone into the issue of same-sex marriage, I am equally 

excited about the other NSRAP projects. I have worked on projects ranging from a 

presentation on how the court system addresses the needs of disadvantaged groups, to 

advocating for greater understanding of transgendered issues in Nova Scotia, to helping 

with the development of a national strategy for addressing violence against the Rainbow 

Community. With each of these projects, I feel that I am using my legal training and 

critical thinking skills to improve our province, by trying to secure equality and respect 

for all. 

My work with NSRAP has taught me a lot about the power, and responsibility, of lawyers 

to work to achieve a more just society. 


Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia 

life for a longer period than would have been possible without these 

medications. The society promotes early diagnosis, because the earlier 

a person receives a diagnosis, the sooner treatment can begin. 

The Alzheimer Society was founded over 25 years ago as a not-forprofit 

health organization dedicated to helping people affected by 

Alzheimer Disease. The society consists 

of a national office, 10 provincial 

organizations and more than 140 local 

groups across the country. Presently in 

Jeanne Desveaux 

Schofield & Desveaux 

Canada there are 280,000 individuals over the age of 65 affected by 

the disease. Alarmingly, it is expected that by the year 2031, there 

will be 509,000 Canadians over the age of 65 living with this illness. 

One-quarter of Canadians have someone in their family with this 

illness or a related dementia. 

The society’s vision is to provide leadership in addressing the reality 

of Alzheimer Disease, to develop new programs and to strengthen 

Alzheimer Disease is a progressive, degenerative disease of the 

brain. The brain cells shrink or disappear, and are replaced 

by dense, irregularly-shaped spots, or plaques. Another 

indicator is thread-like tangles within existing brain cells 

and these tangles eventually choke healthy brain cells. The symptom 

most people associate with the disease is memory loss; however, it also 

affects a person’s ability to make decisions and, over time, affects his or 

her ability to carry out daily tasks, making them increasingly reliant 

on others. Often, the person may experience changes in mood and 

behaviour. 

The cause of this disease is still unknown; but the Alzheimer Society 

is committed to alleviating the personal and social consequences of 

Alzheimer Disease and other dementias while promoting the search 

for the cause and an eventual cure. There have been significant 

advancements made in research in the past few years, resulting in 

new medications being prescribed to people who are in the various 

stages of the disease. In many cases, these drugs effectively reduce 

the symptoms of the disease, allowing individuals a better quality of 


The society promotes early 

diagnosis, because the earlier a 

person receives a diagnosis, the 

sooner treatment can begin. 

existing programs for the care of those affected. Additionally, the 

society seeks to advance and develop educational opportunities, and 

to participate in and promote research. 

The story is changing in the fight against Alzheimer Disease; 

by donating money or volunteering your time, you can help the 

Alzheimer Society continue to make a difference in the lives of 

individuals with the disease, as well as those who care for them. 

There are many opportunities for volunteers such the annual Coffee 

Break, Memory Walk or Door-to-Door campaigns, InfoLine services 

and the numerous committees of the society. For information on the 

Alzheimer Society of Nova Scotia and volunteer opportunities visit 

www.alzheimer.ns.ca, email the society at info@alzheimer.ns.ca or 

call (902)422-7961. 

Richard Niedermayer is the current President of the Alzheimer Society 

of Nova Scotia Board, and Jeanne Desveaux and Brian Church serve 

as members of the board. 

26 


Justice issues 

in Nunavut 

Nunavut Justice will be working with other partners in the justice and health 

systems to develop a community-based healing approach that will help Nunavut 

communities to deal with the problems that lead to criminal behaviour. 

I 

have been asked by the Nunavut Department of Justice to work 

with them as a volunteer adviser with the Canadian Executive 

Services Office (CESO), on an alternative healing diversion 

project. I approach this task with equal parts of optimism and 

humility: I have some useful experience to bring to the project because 

of my previous life as head of Justice Canada’s Northern Region, but I 

don’t kid myself that I know how to solve the issues facing the people 

of Nunavut. Nor do I compare anything I might have learned in 30 

years of government work with the lessons in strength, endurance and 

patience that the Inuit have had to learn in order to survive. 

Nunavut is Canada’s newest territory, created on April 1, 1999, as 

a result of the Inuit Land Claims Agreement. About 85 percent of 

Nunavut’s population of 29,000 are Inuit. Carving out a separate 

territory from the former Northwest Territories was one way to give 

the Inuit of the Eastern Arctic more control over their own lives. 

The creation of Nunavut was accompanied by high expectations 

and worldwide goodwill. The translation of those expectations into 

improvements in the daily life of Nunavummiut is proving to be a 

slow grind. 

In the area of criminal justice, Nunavut continues to grapple with 

enormous challenges. Rates of violent crime in all three territories 

are much higher than the national average, and in Nunavut they 

are almost eight times higher. Nunavut is living with the results 

of the disruption of traditional Inuit ways of surviving in the harsh 

conditions of the North. The cultural and economic changes that 

have resulted from contact between the Inuit and the “western” 

world are still being worked through. 

But what to do about it It is not at all clear to a southern observer 

that the Canadian legal system is capable of doing much to help 

improve the situation. Police, prosecutors, judges, legal aid lawyers, 

victims’ services and correctional officials all work extremely hard to 

protect the public, help the victims and help rehabilitate offenders. 

But in most cases the intervention of the law comes much too late to 

make any real difference beyond shortterm 

protection of victims. 

Andrew Watt 

In the kinds of crime, particularly crimes 

against persons, which dominate Nunavut crime statistics, it is clear 

that individual offenders are affected by such factors as cultural and 

economic dislocation, alcohol and drug abuse, and cycles of family 

violence and sexual abuse. There is little hope for reducing the rate 

of these kinds of crimes simply by sentencing offenders to prison 

or to short-term treatment programs. It is important that offenders 

such as spouse abusers have access to effective treatment, but it is 

also important that healing programs go beyond the offender to deal 

with the underlying dysfunction in the communities. You can’t do 

much about crime rates without breaking the cycle of violence and 

abuse that causes people to commit crimes, and you can’t expect to 

break that cycle without strong community involvement. 

The justice system in Nunavut has to continue to do what it does, 

but at the same time be willing to help Inuit explore ways of dealing 

with crimes and their causes that will reduce the need for police, 

courts and corrections. It may be that some variation on a restorative 

justice approach will be useful in Nunavut, but it is essential that 

the approach be developed by the people of Nunavut, for it is their 

own communities that need help, their own fathers, mothers, aunts, 

uncles and children that are the offenders and the victims. 

The Nunavut Government is dedicated to making traditional Inuit 

knowledge an integral part of the way it carries out its mandate. The 

challenge lies both in identifying what traditional Inuit knowledge 

has to teach us, without sacrificing the basic principles of fairness, 

due process and protection of the vulnerable by the state. 

It is hoped that Nunavut can attack the root causes of criminal 

behaviour by offering community-based, culturally appropriate 

healing programs that will also offer Justice an effective diversion 

option for use by the courts and police. 


setting the 

wheels in mo 

28

tion 

Alex Keaveny 

Barrister & Solicitor 

If you are already a skater or you have kids, family or friends who 

skateboard or ride BMX/MTX bikes, I’ll cut to the chase: the Halifax 

Skatepark Coalition(HSC) is a volunteer, non-profit organization. We are 

building a $500,000 skatepark on the Commons in Halifax and we need 

your help. So go to www.HFXskatepark.org and get involved now! For 

those of you who don’t know much about skateboarding, please read on. 


Halifax skateboarder, Marcel Beaulieu, lands an ollie in the background 


While you can skateboard almost anywhere, 

sometimes you want to skate where you don’t have 

to worry about cars, buses, and security guards or 

getting stopped and ticketed by the police. That 

place is called a skatepark. 

The current Halifax skatepark began in 1995-96 when the Halifax 

Regional Municipality paved half of the abandoned duck pond on 

the Commons and built a small concrete bowl. Later the city added 

lights to allow for night skating. The initial bowl was originally 

intended to be phase 1 for a new park, but, as is sometimes the 

case, phase 2 never happened. Over the years, local skaters raised 

funds and gradually added a couple of wooden and cement 

obstacles. The park has been a big success, and has provided local 

skaters with a place to skate hassle-free. 

In the 10 years since the Halifax skatepark project began, 

communities from coast to coast have built well over two hundred 

public concrete skateparks, and skatepark design and construction 

has progressed tremendously. I have been able to travel to and skate 

and enjoy some of these parks, and I am very excited about helping 

local skaters experience what it’s like to skate a world-class skatepark. 

While much of the progression in skatepark design and construction 

has been taking place in Central and Western Canada, the East 

is catching up. Last fall, St. John’s built a $350,000 skatepark. 

The Halifax Skatepark Coalition Project wants to bring this 

phenomenon to Halifax by bringing the current Halifax Skatepark 

up-to-date with the types of facilities other communities have been 

building across Canada. 

The project itself is very ambitious. Our project will provide Halifax 

with one of the biggest and best skateparks in Canada, and at 

$520,000 our budget is also the biggest attempted in the Maritimes. 

The new skatepark will be a total overhaul of the existing park 

on the Commons. Professionally designed, engineered and 

constructed, it will be a facility that will accommodate the evergrowing 

skateboard, BMX and MTX communities. Challenging 

participants of all skill levels, it will be safe, permanent, free, and 

most of all, fun. In addition, we hope the project will also help 

rejuvenate the Commons. Our plan includes benches, picnic tables, 

chess/games tables and other site improvements that everyone who 

uses the Commons can enjoy. 

The HSC has formed a strong partnership with the HRM, and we 

have received tremendous support from individual city councillors, 

HRM staff, countless parents, the local business community and other 

interested citizens. We are well into the design phase of the project and 

the response to the first draft of the new park has been amazing. 

The HRM has already provided us with the $20,000 needed for 

the design phase and the 2005 HRM budget includes an additional 

$200,000 towards the new park. We hope to secure provincial 

funding of approximately $150,000, leaving $150,000 to be 

raised by the Halifax Skatepark Coalition. So far our fundraising 

efforts have been going great. The local skateboard/BMX/MTX 

community is working hard and we are confident we’ll meet our 

target in time for a fall 2005 groundbreaking. 

Once the current skatepark project is complete, the HSC plans 

on building more great skateparks in other parts of the HRM and 

other communities in Nova Scotia. 

As one of the directors of the HSC, like everyone else in the 

organization, I devote lots of time and energy to the day-to-day 

tasks of the project, including organizing fundraisers and other 

events, attending meetings and working with skaters and bikers 

to ensure that everyone gets the park of their dreams, as well as 

lobbying councillors, businesses and others in the community for 

their support and funding. 

For many people, their image of a skateboarder is the baggypants-wearing 

kid sliding on the ledges outside their office. While 

many skateboarders fit that description, we are also business 

owners, artists, students, parents, and yes, lawyers. The fact that 

I’m a lawyer I feel sometimes helps to broaden people’s views on 

skateboarding and allows them to see past their preconceptions. 

On a practical level, from problem-solving to being able to present 

our project in such a way that the intended audience can relate to 

it, I think the skills I have learned and the perspective I bring as a 

lawyer serve the coalition well. 

Skateboarding has been a part of my life for over 18 years and 

it has enriched my life immeasurably. Volunteering with the 

Halifax Skatepark Coalition Project has provided me with a 

brilliant opportunity to bring together two of my passions, law and 

skateboarding, to help create a great places for skaters and bikers to 

practice the sports they love and to make a lasting contribution to 

the Commons and the HRM. Isn’t that what it’s all about 

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30 


never give up! 

TIMEOUT! L-R: Troy Beavies, Nathaniel Gough, Dylan Clarke and Coach Wright 

I 

started volunteering at the Community YMCA on Gottingen 

Street in the north end of Halifax three years ago. I coach 

mini boys basketball (9-12 years)at level 2 or “B” level. 

Volunteering at the Community Y is a way for me to give 

back to the community that gave so much to me as a young child 

and a youth. My mom raised eight of us in Uniacke Square. My 

basketball coaches at the Y were important mentors in my life and 

provided me with a very positive influence. Once my own children 

were old enough to tag along, I decided it was time to pay back my 

coaches by teaching other young children a few of the values and 

work ethic I received. 

Photo by Catherine Cogswell 

On the court, during both practice 

and game times, we focus on 

fundamentals and learning to rely 

upon and trust each other. Off the 

Alonzo Wright 

Public Prosecution Service 

court, we focus on school, school, and then school! We also talk 

about the importance of representing our families and community 

with respect and pride. 

I’ve received lots of help from family, friends and associates since I 

began volunteering at the Community Y. Last year I did a small 

fundraiser within the legal community and was overwhelmed by the 

response. We were able to co-sponsor a basketball showcase during 

African Heritage Month; send kids to basketball camp, send kids to 

the Mens Final Eight; as well as put on an awards dinner with the 

money that was donated. This year, with the help of John O’Neill, 

warmup shirts were donated and the kids where thrilled. 

On Saturday, February 13, 2005, we made it to the Metro Basketball 

Association Mini Boys (Level 2) championship game. We were 

playing against the bigger and more individually talented Dartmouth 

Boys & Girls Club. Going into the seventh of eight shift changes, 

we were down 12 points. Then “it” happened. The kids gained 

momentum, played as a team and played with heart! We won the 

championship game by five points. I gathered my team together in a 

huddle and once again reinforced “This is what I was talking about 

all year! Never give up! Never give up on basketball! Never give up 

on life! Never give up on yourself!!!” 

I knew that I had gotten through and that at least some of my kids 

on occasion listen to me, when I overheard two of my better players 

talking just as the championship game was about to begin. One said to 

the other “Man, we aren’t starting again” to which the other responded 

“It’s not about who starts the game, it’s about who finishes it.” 

You only need to pick up a newspaper or turn on the television 

to know that “the Square” and the surrounding communities are 

going through a most difficult and challenging period. As always, 

it is the kids who suffer the most. I have been there and I know the 

community is full of future doctors, lawyers, social workers, police 

officers and other leaders. The kids in the community just need 

some hope and encouragement. 

Front L-R: Perry Cogswell-Wright, Raheem Munroe Back L-R: Thomas McLane, 

Nathaniel Gough, Bradley Martin, Coach Wright, Troy Beavies, Jaivoan Cromwell 


32 


ton good 

A TON OF TIN DOES 

a of 


Gordon F. Proudfoot, Q.C. 

Boyne Clarke 

I never knew how 

large a ton of 

tinned goods would 

be. I soon found 

out when our firm 

decided to collect 

for the Metro 

Food Bank for 

Christmas, 2004. >>

The key was to find cheap tinned goods. I was amazed to 

see soup now cost a heck of a lot more than what I paid 

back in law school 27 years ago. So while I sat in my 

favourite chair, I came across a flyer from the local Price 

Chopper offering soup at 33 cents a tin, down from 60 cents. Eureka! 

I immediately jumped in my car, ran down to the local groceteria 

and negotiated it down to 30 cents a tin, promising to take 1,400 

pounds on spec that I could raise enough money to pay for it. The 

manager of the store thought I was crazy until I explained it was 

for the Metro Food Bank. 

Things were rolling along pretty well until I explained to my wife 

that the entire family had to go over to the grocery store right away 

and start loading tins into the back of the station wagon to bring 

them back to the cottage. FULL STOP. That idea got the “veto.” 

She advised me I should leave it at the grocery store until I got a 

truck and some able-bodied men to move the soup because the 

family was on vacation, “…not in the trucking business!” Fine. She 

was not impressed by my argument that there were only 125 days 

left until Christmas to get it into the city . 

Now I had to find donors at the firm to contribute cash or 

Gordon’s family was sitting a lifetime supply of chicken noodle. 

We needed an event to rally the troops and encourage monetary 

donations and of course, more tinned goods to make the goal of 

“one ton.” I knew that one of our newly-minted lawyers, Rebecca 

Hiltz LeBlanc, is a trained opera singer, and my son is a keen 

magician. Ben constantly drives me crazy using me as a guinea 

pig for his card tricks and disappearing acts at home. The event 

was called “Music, Magic and Hors d’oeuvres,” and because my 

wife was away, it was left to Ben and I to pull some hors d’oeuvres 

out of a hat. The next day, the men really liked our king-size hors 

d’oeuvres, but the women had a hard time putting them into their 

mouths. But hey, Fred Flintstone knew where were coming from 

…steak on a stick ! The other hors d’oeuvres made by the female 

staff were quite delicately arranged, and made quite a sensation. 

Rebecca’s performance brought a standing ovation, and Ben 

tricked more than 20 Boyne Clarke lawyers, and left them with 

bewildered looks, agog at his sleight of hand. 

In the end , we collected about 1.5 tons of tinned goods, and happily 

presented them on behalf of our staff, to CBC Information Morning’s 

Christmas Metro Food Bank Drive on December 8, 2004. 

Let me tell you a little story. When John Turner was (briefly) Prime 

Minister and was in town campaigning, we arranged for Turner to 

visit the Metro Food Bank. The place was packed with volunteers 

and community members and I never forgot his speech. He 

opened with “The first thing I want to do is to put you guys out of 

business!” Most of the people’s faces expressed fear, then confusion, 

and then finally, smiles slowly emerged from their faces when they 

realized what he was saying. In Nova Scotia more than 60,000 

children live in poverty, and across Canada, it’s more than one 

million children. Join me next Christmas and have your firm match 

our Ton of Tin and make a small dent in a world-wide problem… 

and I guarantee you’ll feel great making this difference. 

L-R: Dianne Swinemar (Executive Director, Metro Food Bank Society), Alexandre Letourneau (Katimavik volunteer), Gordon Proudfoot, Q.C., John (Jack) 

McDonald (Senior Warehouse Manager), Walter Westwood (volunteer), and Catherine (Bunny) McConnell (volunteer) 


34 


Boyne Clarke’s Summer Student Program 

Benefits Many 

Rob Miedema 

Dalhousie Law School 

We take pride in the firm’s 

commitment to charitable 

objectives and in the confidence 

that they showed in our abilities 

by sending us out to work. 

Through its unique summer program for future articling 

clerks, Boyne Clarke has created a situation where 

everyone wins. This program is gaining recognition 

from firms and students in the Atlantic region and 

throughout Canada who recognize its benefits to the community, 

summer students and the firm. 

Each February when Boyne Clarke hires articling clerks for the 

following year, they also offer the opportunity to work for the 

summer…but there’s a twist. Rather than bring the students into 

the firm to do research and other clerk tasks, the firm sends its 

students to local charities that have legal projects or needs. 

In the summer of 2004, I was placed at reachAbility (formerly 

Reach Nova Scotia). reachAbility provides legal and employment 

support programs and advocacy for persons with disabilities. 

My job at reachAbility was to coordinate two of their legal 

programs. One program aims to make the law more accessible to 

people with disabilities by presenting it in accessible language to 

facilitate peer- and self-advocacy. The second program provides a 

link between communities of citizens with different abilities and 

legal professionals in Nova Scotia. I also worked on projects related 

to reachAbility’s Legal Referral Service, privacy and corporate law 

issues relevant to their operations, and I was happy to participate in 

their annual golf tournament. 

Boyne Clarke’s other summer students – George Ash, Chris Madill 

and Scott Lytle – were placed at Sport Nova Scotia, Halifax 

Association for Community Living and the Refugee Clinic, 

respectively. We take pride in the firm’s commitment to charitable 

objectives and in the confidence that they showed in our abilities 

by sending us out to work. 

Like students at other firms we gained financial and experiential 

benefits from our summer jobs. However, our experience differed 

in that we had extensive contact with the organizations we worked 

with and were involved in all facets of their operations. The extent 

of this contact gave us an appreciation of our own skills and will 

help us in future relationships with clients. 

Most people never have an opportunity to be as involved with a 

charity. The summer program is a selling point to law students 

who are applying for articling jobs, many of whom have started 

rating Boyne Clarke as their first choice in the HRM. In addition, 

the firm’s strong community ethic is publicized as we go about our 

summer work, and we return to the firm to article, armed with the 

value of our experiences and contacts. 

Perhaps the most important benefits are hard to name. If you 

are uncomfortable with the notion of “karma,” then maybe you 

will find the words of Benjamin R. Barber express it best: “The 

language of citizenship suggests that self-interests are always 

embedded in communities of action and that in serving neighbours 

one also serves oneself.” 

“It really opened my eyes to the challenges that are not only faced 

by persons with mental health difficulties, but also the challenges 

faced by non-profit organizations, and the choices they have to 

make on how to spend their resources. Although the advocacy 

piece of what they do is critical, they are not always able to direct 

their attention in that way.” 

Leah Tinkham is currently completing her year as an articled 

clerk with Boyne Clarke, and participated in the Summer Student 

Program in 2003 at the Metro Community Housing Association. 


36 


a mind like 

still water 

Members of the Dal Karate Club on the Dalhousie/Kings 

College campus practice mizu no kokaro (a mind like still 

water) with Tony Tam’s instruction. 

Tony Tam 

Patterson Palmer 

Photo by Dan Abriel 


Tony Tam, a partner at Patterson Palmer in Halifax, 

founded the Dal Karate Club over 25 years ago while 

studying for his commerce degree at Dal. He had 

obtained his first degree black belt two years before 

and was the youngest instructor of the Japan Karate Association 

(JKA) in Canada. In those days there were few Canadians with 

black belts under the JKA, which presently has over three million 

members worldwide. 

The club, or dojo, started with a handful of members in the lower 

studio at the Studley Gym in 1979. It now has over 120 practicing 

students, including 30 black belts training in the fitness centre on 

the Kings College campus. 

Tony is now a sixth degree black belt, and he and his brother, Dr. 

Daniel Tam, also a sixth degree black belt, are the highest ranked 

JKA instructors east of Toronto, and two of only six certified JKA 

instructors in Canada. 

Remaining as a wholly non-profit organization and spreading 

karate to the university population has been the main focus of 

the dojo. The membership fees, used mainly to pay for operating 

expenses and subsidizing special events, are less than half of 

most commercial clubs, and students pay even less. Members 

are approximately half university students and faculty, half Dal 

alumni and community members, and equally split between male 

and female. As a result, in any one of the seven classes each week, 

you’ll find students from law and just about every faculty on 

campus, practicing lawyers and even a judge, Justice Joel Fichaud 

of the Court of Appeal. 

Tony has lost track of the number of students who have trained 

at the dojo, but many moved on after graduation as their careers 

took them outside the province. Karate, like the practice of law, is 

a lifelong learning experience and many students who stop training 

eventually find their way back. 

Tony met his wife Elizabeth Welsh (who is also a black belt) at 

the dojo. She understands the pressures of juggling time and 

commitment, but their children, twins Jessica and Jamie (9) and 

Justin (5) do not yet have the same appreciation. 

While many appreciate the physical benefits of karate training 

and being able to defend oneself, all students eventually learn that 

the development of the mind and character is the ultimate goal of 

karate. “Karate-do” literally means “the way of the empty hand.” 

Naturally people think that that means fighting using your hands 

and feet without a weapon. However, this is only the physical and 

technical aspect of karate. The true meaning of karate-do is the 

“way of the empty mind” – a mind detached and clear of stress, 

anger and fear. 

Karate-do teaches perseverance, loyalty, proper etiquette, respect 

for others, equality and justice. These principles are wholly 

consistent with the practice of law. Applying these principles to 

one’s daily life, whether it is at the work place or in school, is what 

members of the club seek to achieve. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Ujit Elmi’knik 

for the future 

On February 18 and 19, 2005, the Dalhousie 

Aboriginal Law Student Association 

(DALSA), hosted a conference, “Ujit 

Elmi’knik: For the Future – A Forum 

to Discuss the Future of the Mi’kmaw People,” at 

Dalhousie Law School. 

DALSA, a student-run society made up of both 

Aboriginal and 

non-Aboriginal 

Dal law students, 

organizes activities 

Naiomi Metallic 

Dalhousie Aboriginal Law Student Association 

and events that will bring the Aboriginal perspective into 

the law school and to outside communities. 

The purpose of the conference was to explore and 

evaluate the various ways First Nations, specifically 

the Mi’kmaw, seek to advance their interests. “It is 

dangerous to generalize what a peoples’ interests are,” 

said DALSA President Naiomi Metallic in her opening 

address, “but it can safely be said that First Nations 

communities seek to be less economically dependent 

upon the government and to have more control over 

their governance structures and resources.” DALSA 

identified three avenues First Nations use in order to 

advance interests that they wanted explored during the 

discussions on the future of the Mi’kmaq. 

The first avenue that was addressed at the conference 

was the assertion of Aboriginal title, Aboriginal and 

Treaty rights, and self-government under section 35 of 

Constitution Act, 1982. Presenters on this panel were 

Canada’s leading Aboriginal Law scholar, Professor 

John Burrows; Constance MacIntosh, Aboriginal Law 

Professor at Dalhousie Law School; and Bruce Clarke, 

a Halifax lawyer from the law firm Burchell Hayman 

Parish who litigates Aboriginal rights. Professors Burrows 

and MacIntosh addressed the emerging concepts in the 

jurisprudence, particularly the concepts on the duty to 

consult and the honour of the Crown coming out of the 

recent Supreme Court of Canada decision in Haida. 

Mr. Clarke focused his presentation to the practical 

application of these concepts in litigation. 

The second panel on Saturday morning focused on the 

negotiation process, ongoing in Canada since the 1973 

Calder decision, which has taken on special significance 

here in the Maritimes since the 1999 Supreme Court 

40

Marshall decision. Processes are underway between the Mi’kmaq 

and government to negotiate the rights that stem from the Peace and 

Friendship Treaties. Bruce Wildsmith, lead negotiator for the Mi’kmaq; 

Jamie Campbell, lead negotiator for Nova Scotia; and Viola Robinson, 

Senior Mi’kmaq Advisor, all came to discuss Maw-Klusuaquan (the 

Made in Nova Scotia Process). Brenda Gideon Miller, Executive 

Director of the Migmawei Mawiomi, the organization representing the 

Mi’kmaq of the Gaspé region in their comprehensive claim, also came 

to deliver her observations and expectations of the negotiation process. 

The third avenue explored at the Conference, moving away from 

processes where government has direct involvement, was private 

enterprise and economic development. Calvin Helin, founding 

president of the Native Investment and Trade Association, 

delivered a picture of the current economic situation of First 

Nations communities in Canada, making a compelling argument 

for why First Nations must take control of their current financial 

situation. Bernd Christmas spoke of the success Membertou First 

Nation has achieved in economic development since attaining ISO 

(International Organization for Standardization) certification. 

But even before the discussion on these avenues got underway, 

DALSA wanted some very important preliminary issues to be 

addressed. “The legacy of the Indian Act, which has created a 

division among the Mi’kmaq between ‘status’ and ‘non-status’ 

and has also perpetuated inequality between the men and women, 

needs to be addressed when talking about the future,” said Josie 

McKinney, DALSA Vice President. Frank Palmater, past president 

of the New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council, and National 

Vice-President of the Congress of Aboriginal People, spoke 

passionately about the need for the Mi’kmaq to move beyond the 

Indian Act’s definition. Candy Palmater, a strong advocate for the 

rights of Aboriginal women, and a member of the Nova Scotia 

Status of Women currently working with the Nova Scotia Public 

Service Commission (on secondment from the Office of Aboriginal 

Affairs), gave a moving presentation on the challenges faced by 

Aboriginal women because of the Indian Act. 

The conference also included a presentation by Professor Patti 

Doyle-Bedwell, Director of the Transition Year at Dalhousie 

University, who spoke on the rights of Indigenous people in 

International Law. As Shelley Martin explained in introducing the 

presentation, “all the discussions on the avenues available within 

Canadian domestic law would raise the question of ‘what can 

we do when domestic seems to fail us’” Citing the Lavoie case 

(where a Malicete woman from New Brunswick unsuccessful in 

the Canadian courts with her claim of discrimination against the 

Indian Act, took it to the International Court and won, which 

effectively led to Bill-C31), Professor Doyle-Bedwell urged that 

International Law can be an effective tool for Aboriginal people. 

presentations from members of DALSA and Mi’kmaq leaders in the 

community, a sentencing circle simulation given by Tanya Johnson, 

of the Mi’kmaq Legal Support Network; a discussion on the duty to 

consult, given by Professor Richard Devlin of Dalhousie Law School; 

an information session on attending Dalhousie University and a 

virtual tour of the campus, and a visit the law courts. The feedback 

from the students was very positive and all said they would gladly 

attend again. 

While quite exhausted from all the work that went into planning 

these events, the members of DALSA are very pleased with their 

efforts and hope to host similar events in the future. They are 

grateful to the organizations whose generous support made the 

events possible. 

Legal Who 

On February 12, 2005, a masquerade ball was held to 

raise funds for Dalhousie Legal Aid Service. “The 

Legal Who” was the work of recent Dal Law graduates 

Peter Sullivan, Martha Casey and Megan Leslie. 

“We wanted to organize an event where we could have some fun and 

give back to the community at the 

same time,” said Sullivan, articled 

clerk at Patterson Palmer. “With the 

work that the Clinic is doing in test 

Megan Leslie 

Dalhousie Legal Aid Services 

case litigation, community development and public legal education… 

well, we couldn’t think of a better organization to support.” 

The event was held at the Halifax Club, thanks to the efforts of 

Past President Don MacLeod, and featured a trio from Symphony 

Nova Scotia, as well as The Chebucto Big Band. Masks were 

available at the door, but many guests got into the spirit of the 

event and brought their own masks. 

“We were really pleased with the support we received from the 

legal community. We made over $3,000 for the Clinic, raised some 

awareness about DLAS, and managed to get in a fair amount of 

dancing at the same time!” noted Casey, who is doing her articles at 

Boyne Clarke. “It really seemed like people had a great time.” 

The Legal Who committee would like to thank the Halifax Club, 

Dalhousie Law School, the volunteers who helped sell tickets, and all 

the firms and people who bought tickets to support this event. 

Over a hundred people attend the conference, including 

students, professors, members from the Mi’kmaq community, 

band councillors, representatives from Mi’kmaq organizations, 

politicians, and government employees. 

DALSA also held a Student Day on February 17 at the Mi’kmaq 

Native Friendship Centre, attended by about 40 Mi’kmaq students 

from Listuguj, Eskasoni, Pictou Landing, Waycobah, Indian Brook, 

Chapel Island, as well off-reserve students. The activities included 

The Legal Who Committee - Martha Casey, Don MacLeod, Megan Leslie, Peter Sullivan 


EASTERN 

NOVA SCOTIA 

home & school 

Advisory Councils seek parental and community input 

Don and I have three sons, Sam, Nicholas and 

Christopher, and we practice law in Antigonish.Before 

our senior partner, Jean MacPherson, Q.C., retired 

in 2002 after 50 years of practice, we could claim 

to be the largest and the oldest firm in town. Providing a good 

education for our children has been a priority, and when the 

children were in elementary school, I was chair of the parents’ 

association, and assisted 

Catherine MacNeil Macdonald 

MacPherson MacNeil Macdonald 

for a time with creative 

writing in the classroom. It 

was a wonderful chance to 

participate, and to see how knowledgeable, inspiring teachers make 

a significant difference in the lives of their students. 

In May of 2004, a notice our eldest son brought home from school 

caught my eye. There was to be a meeting to establish a school 

advisory council at Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional High School, 

where he was attending Grade 10. Our second son was to begin 

Grade 9 the following September, so we felt we had two very good 

reasons to become involved. 

In 1996 the Province of Nova Scotia enacted legislation providing 

for the establishment of school advisory councils upon petition to 

the school board by eight or more parents of students attending 

the public school; a home and school or similar association; or the 

principal. The Act recognizes that from the experience and wisdom 

of a whole community, a school can be developed and improved. 

We are very fortunate to have a principal who is dedicated to 

the advancement of his students, and to empowering the school 

advisory council to identify any weak areas and achieve practical 

results. Our group is composed of teacher, student, parent 

and community representatives who are passionate about their 

commitment to “make the school a world class school and a 

healthy, exciting and challenging place in which our children can 

reach their maximum potential.” 

Initially there was a Letter of Agreement and bylaws to put in place 

with the school board and Department of Education, but almost 

immediately, we were dealing with the type of issues that promoted 

our interest in participating in such a council. 

Because a lot of our students hold down part-time employment 

with local businesses, and exam time was looming, our chair 

prepared a questionnaire to determine how aware employers 

were of the dilemma students faced in working long hours 

while attempting to prepare for exams. The questionnaire 

Dr. John Hugh Gillis Senior Girls’ Hockey team after winning the Auburn Drive 

Invitational Tournament at Cole Harbour Place 

raised community consciousness regarding the pressures and 

responsibilities of the students, and was respectful of the 

opportunities to learn provided to the students by the business 

community. It provided students with feedback on their 

performance as employees, and noted areas where improvements 

can be made. Such information, when used correctly, should prove 

very productive to the relationship between employer and student, 

enabling more students to get and keep coveted summer jobs. 

In the few short months since our council has been operating, we 

have written to our school board asking them to reconsider their 

decision not to distribute a publication on sex education prepared 

by the Department of Health. After canvassing other parents and 

the guidance department at the school, our recommendations 

to make the course selection directory more user-friendly were 

implemented. We have made initial inquiries into the fairness 

of the provincial exams; and the suitability of our school for 

international baccalaureate or advanced placement accreditation. 

Our high school’s mission is ambitious: “To educate students by 

promoting academic excellence, by empowering students to achieve 

their maximum potential mentally, physically, and socially and 

by preparing students for responsible participation in an everchanging 

technological world.” I believe our council can help 

accomplish these goals. Our community vision encompasses lifelong 

learning, a concept very real to a practising lawyer. We know 

there are parents and community members who could make a 

difference, but have been reluctant to get involved. Let me say, your 

school advisory council wants and needs you! 

42 


Voice for Volunteers 

Strait of Canso success story 

I 

grew up in Mulgrave, a community bordering on the Strait 

of Canso, an area that has 

been through a period of 

tough economic times. 

Unemployment has a devastating 

impact on individuals, their families and entire 

communities. It represents lost opportunities, 

and addressing it is particularly difficult in rural 

communities. All local assets must be utilized to 

do so and the passion of the community must be 

harnessed. 

Lawrence O’Neil, Q.C. 


My interest in making a difference in the region 

led me to politics and ultimately to the House of Commons as the 

federal member for the region in the eighties. I chaired the House of 

Commons Committee on Regional Development that recommended 

a decentralized regional development approach be followed by the 

Government of Canada. This eventually lead to the creation of ACOA 

and to a great role for people from the Atlantic region in the regional 

development initiatives designed and implemented by the government. 

Prior to this change, this had all had been done in Ottawa. 

Currently, I volunteer as a member of the Board of Directors of 

the Strait of Canso Superport Corporation Limited. Between 1997 

and 2000 the corporation negotiated with the federal government 

for ownership of the Mulgrave Marine Terminal and the Port 

Hawkesbury government wharves. The divestiture of these wharves 

by the federal government has by all accounts been successful. 

Both the former Mulgrave and Port Hawkesbury wharves have 

been rebuilt and are generating substantial cash flow for the 

corporation. The Strait Region now has control over two very 

important marine assets and it is our ambition to expand these 

facilities thereby increasing employment in the communities. 

The Strait of Canso Harbour is the second busiest in Canada, 

with tonnage shipped or landed being second only to the Port of 

Vancouver. We see the development of the offshore resources as 

presenting our next business opportunity. We now have excellent 

facilities, good rates, an experienced local business sector and a 

willing and able workforce. 

Who speaks for the volunteer sector In Cape Breton, 

it is the newly-formed Cape Breton Chamber of 

Voluntary Organizations. There are only three other 

such organizations in Canada; Edmonton, Calgary 

and Ottawa. I first heard of the chamber idea at a Family Service 

Canada conference and arranged for Tim Simboli of the Ottawa 

chamber to address a group of interested volunteers last fall in Sydney. 

At that meeting a steering 

committee was struck and it 

now meets weekly. Based on 

the Chamber of Commerce 

David Muise 

Family Service of Eastern Nova Scotia 

model, the volunteer chamber hopes to do for the volunteer sector 

what the Chamber of Commerce does for business. 

The chamber will serve as a central body, coordinating policy and 

training for the volunteer sector. Information sessions on topics 

such liability insurance, funding proposal writing, volunteer 

recruitment and human resource issues are planned for the near 

future in a Lunch and Learn format with member agencies drawing 

on internal expertise to educate others. 

The chamber will also present a united voice for the sector in 

responding to issues of mutual concern, again much as the 

Chamber of Commerce does for the business sector. This could 

include commenting on federal or provincial budgets and 

presenting briefs to government. 

The idea of the chamber is advocacy, not lobbying. Individual 

members will be better equipped to lobby for individual goals, while 

it will fall to the chamber to advocate on behalf of the entire sector. 

The chamber has had 61 volunteer organizations express an 

interest in joining, even before a formal membership drive has 

begun. Membership is open to any organization with a volunteer 

component, regardless of size. 

This organization is open to service clubs, health and human 

service groups, sports, arts and culture – any group that depends 

on volunteers for their existence. 

Call for Nominations Frances Fish Women 

Lawyers’ Achievement Awards 2005 

Do you know a woman deserving of recognition for her dedication 

to the advancement of women in and through the legal profession 

through professional excellence and leadership, and/or commitment 

and service to the legal profession, legal education or the community 

If you do, nominate her for the 2005 Frances Fish Women Lawyers’ 

Achievements Awards. Go to www.nsbs.ns.ca/notices/fish.pdf for 

additional information and the nomination form or contact: 

Frances Fish Women Lawyers’ Achievement Awards 

Nominating Committee 

c/o Janine Kerr, Wickwire Holm 

1-866-429-4111/902-482-7029 • Fax: 429-8215 • jkerr@wickwireholm.com 

Nominations close May 31, 2005 


Patterson Palmer’s c 

44 

The Society Record 

Adriana Meloni, Dennis James, Vicki Byard, Ron Creighton, Paul Morris Pam Saint, Heather Boyd, 

Patti Sharpe, Jen Biernaskie, Pat Mattatall, Chris McConnell, Liz Branscombe, Kari Riddell (Clean Nova Scotia)

lean sweep 

Clean Nova Scotia warmly welcomes Patterson Palmer 

(Truro) as one of our newest groups of dedicated 

volunteers helping to promote the importance of litter 

abatement across the province. Patterson Palmer will 

take part in the launch of the annual Great Nova Scotia Pick- 

Me-Up program on April 22, 

2005. This long running and 

outstanding program involves 

25,000 volunteers across the 

Jen Biernaskie 

Patterson Palmer 

province picking up litter in their communities, on shorelines, in 

parks or wherever the litter may be. The program offers volunteers 

an opportunity to be a positive force in the fight against litter, 

which can have negative effects on residents, visitors, wildlife and 

water systems. By participating, Patterson Palmer will be joining a 

team of dedicated individuals and businesses who are committed to 

maintaining viable and healthy communities in Nova Scotia. 

Patterson Palmer strongly believes in the value of 

volunteering. Taking action in your community is 

not only personally rewarding, but also a good 

example for younger generations. Opportunities 

to make a difference are available to all through 

organizations such as Clean Nova Scotia, and we 

encourage everyone to get involved. We are 

thrilled to be a part of the Great Nova Scotia 

Pick-Me-Up and hope that others will join our 

efforts to improve our environment. 

-Jen Biernaskie, Patterson Palmer 

This year Clean Nova Scotia would like to encourage more 

businesses to get involved with the Great Nova Scotia Pick-Me-Up, 

as it is a highly visible, beneficial and well respected environmental 

program. Getting involved is easy! Simply gather a group of 

people (co-workers, family, friends or otherwise), pick a location 

for your clean-up and register your Pick-Me-Up event online at 

www.clean.ns.ca. You can hold your Pick-Me-Up event at any 

time throughout the year. 

Upon registration, Clean Nova Scotia will send you a free kit 

that includes garbage bags, blue bags, latex gloves, a poster for 

promotion, an information booklet and a data card to record what 

you have collected. The data is important and helps us to prepare 

for future programs and track waste producing trends. 

For more information on this event or any other programs/services 

offered by Clean Nova Scotia please feel welcome to contact our 

office at (902) 424-3474 or visit our website at www.clean.ns.ca. 

Kari Riddell, Clean Nova Scotia 


Cumberland Barristers’ Association 

I 

members do. As President 

of the Cumberland 

Barristers’ Association, we 

fully endorse the Society Record’s decision to focus on all 

the volunteer work our 

Morris J. Haugg, Q.C. 

Hicks, Lemoine 

have many such individuals, and I have decided to write in a more 

general way about all of us as a group. 

The accompanying photo was taken a couple of years ago when our 

bar association received the Law Day Award from the Nova Scotia 

Section of the Canadian Bar Association (some newer members 

are missing from the photo*). Our bar has, since the inception of 

National Law Day, organized an extensive Law Day program every 

year, including four plays – three in recent years. 

We have a very well-organized and active county bar, which meets 

monthly, has several active committees and holds two major social 

functions every year (with a history going back to the middle ages). 

More importantly, I want to tell you that our members are all very 

involved as volunteers in many, many clubs and organizations. I 

asked our members to each provide me with some details. That 

didn’t work. I only received two responses. For the rest, humility or 

lack of time prevented a response. I am largely going from general 

knowledge of the extracurricular activities of my colleagues. Many 

take leadership positions in their respective churches. Some have 

served as directors and officers in the YMCA, the Boy Scouts and 

Girl Guides. Some act as coaches and leaders in minor hockey, 

baseball and soccer. Four are members of the Rotary Club, one of 

the Zonta Club. A small town “demands” that we take positions 

of leadership in sports organizations – Curling Club and the Golf 

Club – and with political parties and town committees. One of 

our members served on the Town Council for several years. Our 

members have served on the Board of Family & Children’s Services, 

various Home & School associations, daycare boards, the Hospital 

Foundation, the Historical and Museum Society, Transition House 

Society and the United Way. Members have served on the Industrial 

Commission, a Forestry Advisory Council, the Chamber of 

Commerce, the Cancer Society, the Red Cross Society, the Heart & 

Stroke Foundation, and so on and so on. We always have a member 

on the Council of the Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society, as well as on 

Council committees, and often also on the Nova Scotia Council of 

the Canadian Bar Association, including recently as president. 

Some of our members have received Volunteer of the Year 

recognitions, and one has received the Queen Elizabeth Jubilee 

Medal for community service. 

A town like Amherst expects its professionals to be of service and 

to provide leadership. I am proud to say that the Amherst area legal 

community meets that expectation exceedingly well. 

Every day offers an opportunity 

I 

recently spent an enjoyable time with wonderful volunteers 

when I was asked to deliver a public talk on Health Care 

Directive legislation at Palliative Care Services at the Cape 

Breton Health Care Complex. 

Those volunteers found out 

about me from a Radio Canada 

interview I did with Ian 

MacNeil one morning. After 

Dan Chiasson 

Barrister & Solicitor 

a discussion on the state of nursing home costs, Ian concluded by 

announcing “Dan Chiasson, a Baddeck lawyer, enjoys speaking on 

seniors and estate management issues...for free.” I received a lot of 

pro bono speaking requests following that interview. Thank you Ian. 

There are perks, though. The audiences are appreciative and the best 

lunches available in Cape Breton are served afterwards. 

46 


On my office wall is a plaque from the Baddeck Volunteer Fire 

Department which was presented to me as Fireman of the Year in 

1998. This past fall I celebrated my fifteenth year as a firefighter. 

This plaque reminds me of both the wonderful members of the 

department whom I am proud to call friends, but also of a supportive 

community whose continuing financial contribution provides 

us with state-of-the-art equipment. As an outward sign of my 

continuing commitment to my community I also provide the eight 

departments in our county with pro bono legal advice. 

My long-term position as chairman of the Cabot Trail Barristers’ 

Society library and as Chair of the Annual meeting for a few 

years has provided me with an opportunity to know wonderful 

representatives of our Society, including such people as Barb Campbell 

and Lori Duggan. What they, and many others do, far exceeds “job 

requirement” and regularly flows into “volunteer work.” In a rural 

practice where I sometimes feel a bit isolated, this has given me 

an opportunity to participate in and, in some small part (I hope), 

contribute to the good of our Society. 

As a Lion, I appear to have been assigned the lifetime position 

of organizing the Lion’s Club annual Christmas and December 

birthday party at the Alderwood Rest Home. Again with the 

help of the community, the Lions provide down-home musical 

entertainment; birthday gifts are given to December birthday 

celebrants; Santa arrives with a Christmas gift for every resident; and 

one of those great lunches is served to conclude the celebration. In 

conjunction with this event, I am proudly responsible for the birth of 

the Baddeck Lions Club Christmas Choir two years ago and my goal 

is to expand on its repertoire into other times of the year. 

Every day offers an opportunity. One day I get a call from the local 

Hospice Society to help answer a legal question of concern to the 

directors. Another day the food bank needs help with incorporation. A 

fire department wants to amend its bylaws. I also enjoy providing papers 

and articles on current legal issues for local newspapers and magazines. 

Recently I attended a meeting of the directors on the Nova Scotia 

Highland Village Society, as a pro bono advisor as I have done for 

many years. The halibut dinner was really good and my mileage is 

paid. That’s a keeper. 

In a January issue of Time Magazine there was an article on 

happiness. Of the eight steps towards a more satisfying life noted in 

the article, the first two are: count your blessings and practice acts of 

kindness. I count my blessings for the opportunity to be a lawyer so 

that I can work and my family can thrive in the community of my 

choice. It is my first-hand perception that lawyers as a profession, 

certainly on the island, contribute an amazing amount of time to 

worthy volunteer undertakings. Anytime I volunteer, I think of it as 

practicing acts of kindness. The personal rewards are great. I get a 

greater sense of connection with other volunteering individuals, with 

the recipients of the kindness, and with my community. It also wins 

me approval, which, don’t kid yourself, we all need. 

Lawyers visibly contributing as volunteers in the community on 

many levels may be the very best way to enhance the image of the 

profession, while at the same time returning immeasurable and 

immediate personal rewards to the volunteers. There is no substitute 

for positive action. 

A day (and night) in the park 

In 2002, when my son 

Cyrus was four, I was 

asked to become a director 

at Two Rivers Wildlife 

Park. It occurred to me that 

this child-friendly place might 

provide a greater opportunity 

to share my volunteer activities 

with my family. It was a good 

decision and has provided 

the most varied volunteer 

experience I’ve ever had. 

Two Rivers Wildlife Park, 

located near Marion Bridge 

on the site that inspired John 

Allen Cameron’s “Out on the Mira,” was operated seasonally by the 

province from 1981 to 1995. When the decision was made to close 

it, the community refused to 

accept the loss of yet another 

amenity. A non-profit society 

was created to run Two Rivers, 

Nancy Orkish 

which has grown and flourished ever since. The park is now open 

year-round and offers a full range of recreational activities: beach 

volleyball, swimming, u-fish, a petting zoo, cross-country skiing, 

wagon and sleigh rides and more. To keep its many residents 

happy, the park is constantly expanding and upgrading the wildlife 

enclosures. 

Board members at Two Rivers are expected to do more than deal with 

funding and administrative concerns. We all lend a hand with the 

wealth of activities taking place at the Park. Frequently accompanied 

by Cyrus and my husband Chris, I have bottle-fed newborn lambs, 

served hot dogs to school children, shoveled... you know, decked halls, 

designed floats, led tours and hosted karaoke! How’s that for variety 

But most of my time is spent on one particular project. Chris and I 

co-chair the organizing committee for “Fright Night,” launched in 

2003 as the most well-attended event in the history of Two Rivers. 

Over 1,600 people came for the biggest, best Hallowe’en party they’d 

ever attended. Last year was bigger still and organizational work for 

the third annual event has begun. By September, our basement will 

be filled with giant vermin, hellish apparitions, dismembered corpses 

– all props in progress! In October, the park, lit by hundreds of jacko-lanterns, 

will crawl with creepy characters. A band will play in the 

amphitheatre while legions of costumed revellers will scream their way 

through the spook trail, listen to ghost stories in the log cabin, take 

a haunted hay ride through the animal trail, and have their fortunes 

told. Little kids will carve pumpkins and visit the cookie witch. Many 

will be first-time visitors, but nearly all will be back. 

When it’s over, I’ll be bursting with pride and satisfaction at having 

helped raise the funds to maintain our furred and feathered friends 

through another winter. 


Respect, care and support 

There are few experiences as enjoyable as being involved in 

an activity aimed at helping members of your community 

who are in need. My involvement with the Antigonish 

Town and County Palliative Care Society has given me 

that opportunity. I have found this organization to be one of the 

most compassionate and helpful of the various community groups to 

which I have lent my services over the years. I was initially asked by 

a steering committee to come 

on the founding board, simply 

because having a lawyer on 

board meant that there would 

Maurice Smith, Q.C. 


be “free” legal advice as the organization struggled to come into being 

and deal with its incorporation under the Societies Act. Having got a 

taste of working with these wonderful people, I was more than willing 

to stay on when asked to become a member of the first Board of 

Directors. I am just completing my sixth year as the Board chair and 

am sorry that my tenure on this board will be coming to an end. 

valuable assistance, 

and an important 

resource 

Nova Scotia Barristers’ Liability Claims Fund Volunteers 

The eleven volunteer members who sit on the board 

of the Fund oversee the provision of an effective and 

stable insurance program for members through the 

approval and implementation of the Fund’s strategic 

plan. Key to the insurance program’s success is financial stability 

and this is the focus of the board’s two standing committees, 

audit and investment. The Audit Committee has responsibility 

for the adoption of internal controls and risk management policies 

affecting financial aspects of the Fund, and specific responsibility 

to oversee the annual external audit and actuarial evaluation. 

Investment Committee members meet quarterly with the Fund’s 

investment manager to review the manager’s investment report and 

to monitor the performance of the investment manager against 

established benchmarks. The committee also ensures that the Fund’s 

investment policy is appropriate to achieve the Fund’s objectives. 

What is so special about this particular board Apart from the 

personal satisfaction of seeing your efforts achieve positive effects, 

it is the satisfaction of being part of a group of ordinary people who 

have come together to build an organization aimed at giving respect 

and dignity to those coping with end-of-life issues. Palliative care 

in our community has enabled many of our friends and neighbours 

to live out their lives in the comfort of their homes. Palliative care 

includes respite care; specialized equipment necessary to enable 

people to be looked after outside of the hospital setting; volunteers 

who do home visiting; and bereavement support and counselling. 

By having a representative in every area of the county on the board, 

there is the opportunity to provide an educational component to the 

services that the agency offers. Spreading the word about palliative 

care is one of the society’s main goals. All of this is done by dedicated 

volunteers in the community and without any government monies. 

An annual fundraising effort is undertaken, and other financial 

support comes in the form of memorial donations from the public 

who see and appreciate the society’s efforts. 

Until the Palliative Care Society of Antigonish Town and 

County came into being, none of the supports which it offers 

were available. I think it is a huge success story, and I very much 

appreciate that I have had the opportunity to help create, in 

our community, an agency that is both caring and effective in 

achieving its goals of enhancing the quality of life for persons with 

life-threatening illnesses. 

The members of the Claims Review Committee are an important 

resource for the Fund’s claims program. Monthly meetings of the 

claims staff and the committee provide valuable assistance to staff 

responsible for the carriage of claims files and the committee’s 

approval of large losses ensures an appropriate level of board 

involvement in the claims process. The loss prevention program has 

recently under gone a review and revamping by the Loss Prevention 

Committee. As a result, a new loss prevention program will be 

rolled out later this year. As the new program develops, committee 

members’ participation will ensure that the program is effective to 

meet the needs of the members. 

The board, and specifically the chair of the board, play another 

very significant role with respect to the availability of professional 

liability insurance program. The Fund is insured through its 

participation in an insurance reciprocal, CLIA. The chair of 

Fund’s board is a voting member of the CLIA Advisory Board 

and a member of one or more of the committees through which 

CLIA operates; audit, investment, policy & underwriting, claims 

administration and voluntary excess insurance. 

In addition to the chair’s involvement in CLIA, Nova Scotia has 

made a very significant contribution to CLIA with a representative 

on CLIA’s executive committee since the late 80s. Through this 

volunteer involvement, Nova Scotia has had a very direct role in the 

ongoing operations of CLIA and the availability of mandatory and 

excess insurance to meet the needs of members. 

48 


dedicated volunteers = good self-governance 

The Society’s Professional Responsibility process 

relies heavily on its volunteers. The Investigative 

Subcommittee carries out the integral ‘peer review’ 

component of investigation of complaints against 

members. The subject matter, volume of work and time 

commitment for preparation and frequent lengthy meetings make 

for arduous work, and these volunteers take their responsibilities 

very seriously. 

The Library Services Committee has contributed to developing 

a new delivery model for Library and Information Services. This 

has required close to 60 hours of meeting time, an understanding 

of research methods and an interest in libraries. This committee 

was dedicated to improving library service to members while 

recognizing the financial limitations of the Society. We are very 

fortunate to have such a bright group of individuals from around 

the province working on this committee. 

While fewer than two percent of all written complaints result in a 

referral to formal hearing, the experienced and dedicated volunteers on 

the Hearing Subcommittee must devote approximately 3-5 days per 

hearing. They must ensure the proper application of administrative 

law and natural justice principles in the interests of public protection. 

Their level of responsibility is among the highest of our volunteers. 

Volunteer Catherine Walker, Q.C. and LRA instructor 

Dianne Paquet at an LRA education session 

The Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee oversees 

the rules and standards for ethics and professional responsibility in 

our profession; they recommend to Council amendments to the rules, 

and provide guidance to members through opinions, advice and 

interpretation of the rules. Committee members are frequently called 

upon to respond to ethical inquiries. 

Qualifications and Bar Admission Course Committee works 

very hard at setting policies and making decisions about admissions, 

articling and the Bar Admission Course, contributing many hours to 

developing and enhancing these processes. 

The Screening Committee has worked tirelessly to create and mark 

the Bar Examination since July, 1996. Some committee members 

have been involved in every exam. We couldn’t do the examination 

without their committment to the process and their hard work. 

The Lawyers Assistance Program volunteers are interested in the 

well-being of lawyers. They serve as peer volunteers to lawyers, 

their families and law firm staff who are experiencing difficulties. 

Their knowledge of the profession and its pressures combined with 

their personal experiences makes this a unique and powerful way 

to help. 

A major focus of LAP is prevention, and dealing with small problems 

before they become major issues. Volunteers make a commitment to 

confidentiality, an essential component of the program. The success 

of the Lawyers Assistance Program depends on its volunteers. 

The Practice Assistance Committee deals with any and all 

operational issues in law practice. Any communication members 

have with our committee or committee members is always held in 

the strictest of confidence. 

Library Services Volunteers — In every issue of the Nova Scotia 

Law News a list of reviewers are thanked for their assistance with that 

particular issue. Probably few members of the Society are aware of 

the substantial contribution made by these individuals. Nova Scotia 

Law News and Law News Online could not be produced without the 

help of this dedicated team of volunteers, some of whom have been 

associated with the Law News since December, 1977. 

Land Registration Act Education Program — Since March, 2003, 

more than 700 lawyers and 600 support staff have experienced the first 

mandatory education program in Nova Scotia. For each education 

session, a volunteer property lawyer was present to provide expertise, 

guidance and encouragement. These volunteer trainers give their time 

to the education program to ensure the integrity of Nova Scotia’s land 

registration system. These lawyers have volunteered hundreds of hours 

– in the classroom, improving materials, on government committees, 

and with their colleagues whenever a question arises – and they deserve 

our appreciation. They spend time away from their families and 

their practices to ensure the NSBS LRA Education is a program of 

excellence, available in every region of our province. 

Property Law Volunteers — The Nova Scotia real property lawyers 

are an outstanding and committed group of professionals. Lawyers 

from around the province also dedicate their energy and skills to serve 

the profession on the following committees: 

• The Professional Standards Committee 

• The Real Estate Task Force 

• The SNSMR Electronic Submission Pilot Project 

• The SNSMR LRA Procedures Advisory Working Group 

• The Annual Real Property Conference, a joint initiative 

of NSBS and RELANS 

Numerous lawyers also volunteer for the Articled Students Real Estate 

Seminar, offered at each of the four skills courses. 

These are just a few of the committees that contribute to the work of 

the Society. For a full list of committees, please go to: 

www.nsbs.ns.ca/committeemembers0405.htm 


KUDOS 

Carmel Degen, Medjuck & Medjuck 

Carmel Degen has been an active professional, working in the legal 

community for 30 years. 

For the past 25 years, Carmel has been a legal secretary at Medjuck 

& Medjuck, working directly with myself and is now Executive 

Director of Legal Services. 

Prior to that, she worked for four years at the former Weldon, Misener 

& Covert law firm, working directly with Randall R. Duplak, Q.C. 

Prior to that, she worked at the Registry of Joint Stock Companies. 

Throughout her career, Carmel has excelled in every field of legal 

secretarial services that she has endeavoured, including real estate, 

probate, corporate commercial transactions and senior refinancings 

in real estate and hotel development, as well as communications 

and entertainment law. Carmel has become an expert with the 

legal and administrative requirements of charitable organizations. 

I appreciate your suggestion that her service could be recognized in 

the Society Record, however, I would prefer a modest recognition so 

that we do not inadvertently generate offers of alternate employment. 

F.D. Medjuck, Q.C. 

September 1981 — Frank and Carmel at the Canadian Association 

of Legal Secretaries Annual Employers Appreciation Dinner 

50 



52

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