ARCTIC OBITER

DECEMBER 2009 | 3
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Since the AGM on December 5th, when Ben and Linda
kindly reminded me that I would need to get my submission
in for the next Obiter, I have thought of, and then discarded,
various ideas. While sitting in the Toronto airport halfway
to Newfoundland for Christmas holidays, writing this piece,
I’ve been revisiting the events of the last year.
My time on the executive so far has been a great experience.
It has provided me with an opportunity to learn more about
our own legal community, and about how our profession is
governed generally. I have enjoyed working
with the executive members and look forward
to the upcoming year and the opportunities
and challenges we will face.
During this past year on the executive, we dealt
with the routine issues of the management of
our law society, and we have addressed more
serious issues as they arose. Throughout the
year it became extremely clear how much our
law society, and I’m sure every law society,
relies on its committees and volunteers. Ours
is definitely an organization that can only
survive with the participation of members who
Shirley A. Walsh
give freely of their time and expertise. As you have no
doubt seen in the weekly bulletin, we are, as in previous
years, requesting volunteers for various communities. I
encourage everyone to review the list, and sign up to help in
some way. No amount of time is too small – everyone’s
assistance contributes greatly and would be so appreciated.
As I said above, I am greatly looking forward to next year
and working with our executive, Michael Hansen, Erin
Delaney, Sheila McPherson, and Maureen Crotty-Williams;
the staff, Linda Whitford, Amy LeBlanc and Ben Russo; as
well as the various committee members and the membership
at large. We have already identified issues that we will need
to discuss and review in depth. In January 2009 we
introduced a requirement for each member to develop a
Continuing Legal Education plan and to accrue at minimum
of 12 hours of CLE per year. This program is similar to the
requirements brought in by law societies across the country,
however it needs to be further examined and decisions must
be made on how we can help our membership to meet this
requirement, and how it should be enforced. Recruitment of
new lawyers to the North, as well as retention of our
valuable members, is an ongoing challenge and we are
always seeking new ideas and opportunities to assist us in
our goals.
Other issues, which are of concern not only to our law
society but also to law societies nationally, are becoming
more and more a priority for discussion and the formulation
of a position. The Territorial Mobility
Agreement expires on December 31st at 8:30
p.m. (NL time). We must decide whether it is
best for the residents of the Northwest
Territories and the members of our law society
to return to the previous situation of no
mobility; sign on to the National Mobility
Agreement allowing permanent and temporary
mobility; or attempt to renew the existing
Territorial Mobility Agreement, allowing
permanent mobility only. Input from all
members is welcome, and in fact, necessary for
this decision to be made.
I would not be able to finish my first note without thanking
the outgoing executive members, President Karen Lajoie and
Vice President Leanne Dragon, for all of their hard work
during their time on the executive. They both undertook
their duties with great commitment and I benefited from my
time working with them.
I look forward to the new year and the work to be done. If
there are any issues of importance to any member, I
encourage you to bring them to my attention or the attention
of any member of the Executive or staff.
Happy Holidays to you all!