The 2020 killing of George Floyd brought broader attention to the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement and acted as a tipping point. If we thought things were better in Canada than in the U.S., we now understand this isn’t the case. Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour (BIPOC) have experienced systemic racism and its profoundly harmful effects in Canada as well as in the U.S. since the founding of both countries.

This series of critical conversations will provide a forum for an open and respectful dialogue about recent events, the Canadian context for the BLM movement, current issues in policing and the justice system, and the insidious ways in which systemic racism manifests itself in our workplaces and everyday lives.

The series of three conversations will provide you with an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives and ask questions of the panelists in the spirit of gaining understanding. The conversations will require us all to step into uncomfortable territory so that we can recognize our own biases and begin to take steps toward changing how we think and act. As lawyers, how do we navigate through the various aspects of our work (with colleagues, clients, decision-makers) in a diverse society?

The intention for this series is to create a safe and non-judgemental space for an open, honest, and respectful dialogue with the purpose of learning about the issues from the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour. There will be significant time allotted for questions following each conversation.

Conversations  (click to see more information)