Welcome Message from the Chair

Welcome Message from the

2021-2022 Chair of the Ontario Bar Association (OBA)’s

Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights (CCLHR) Law Section

Why is a privacy, information technology (IT), business and regulatory lawyer leading the Ontario Bar Association (OBA)’s Constitutional, Civil Liberties and Human Rights (CCLHR) Law Section in 2021-2022?

Great question!

I identify as a person with a disability, and I cannot hide from my disability because a certified service dog has been tethered to me, on a 24-hours a day, 7 days a week basis, since June 2013. The overt discrimination that I have been subjected to in the province of Ontario, motivated me to join this Section’s Executive during the 2015-2016 year. I am also a lifelong ally for all equity seeking groups. Being a part of this Section Executive has enabled me to stand up for not only my own rights but also the rights of others.

During my term as the chair of the OBA’s CCLHR Law Section, I will be strongly advocating for persons with disabilities. I make no apologies for this.

From my perspective, equality, diversity and inclusion (“EDI”) in North America has typically been comprised of four main pillars: (1) gender; (2) race; (3) sexual orientation; (4) disabilities.

The first three pillars have had very strong advocates, and, as a result, many necessary and important advancements and accomplishments have been achieved for those pillars. Much more work remains to be done.

Now, with respect to the fourth pillar: The reality is that people with disabilities have not fully benefited from the aforementioned advancements and accomplishments, and, in some respects, people with disabilities have been left behind.

If you ever want to see what I am talking about, shadow me for 24 hours and you will see how I experience life in the province of Ontario. My on-going experiences living as a person with a disability in Ontario surprises most of my close colleagues and friends. I suspect that you would be surprised too.  Discrimination against persons with disabilities is rampant in Ontario and Canadian society at large. Do not take just my word on this.  Ask other persons with disabilities.

Throughout my term as chair, I endeavor to further the OBA’s pledge to foster a more inclusive and accessible legal community for all marginalized groups impacted by overt and implicit bias, including persons with disabilities who have been overlooked by consequence of internalized ableism. Part of this mandate will be to coordinate and promote events that seek to raise awareness to these issues.