This week, we’re chatting with Pam Hrick – the Executive Director of LEAF – about gender equality law and the progress that remains. Topics: Quebec’s Bill 21 and substantive gender equality; Saskatchewan’s school pronoun policy; and coercive control as a criminal offence. This program contains 30 minutes of substantive content for the Law Society of Ontario’s CPD requirements.
Full Episode (57:48) Download Transcript
⚫ How could Quebec’s controversial Bill 21 (banning religious symbols) engage the Charter right to substantive gender equality? (8:03)
⚫ How would a requirement to notify parents of students’ preferred pronouns impact sections 7 and 15 of the Charter? (17:43)
⚫ What sorts of consequences could result from the federal criminalization of coercive control? (27:12)
⚫ Our Ask-Me-Anything segment, featuring questions submitted by patrons of the Lawyered community (37:57)
⚫ Tell us about your journey of building a legal career that involves advocating for gender equality rights. (38:35)
⚫ What do you think about the efficacy of the federal government’s LGBTQ2+ Action Plan? (41:40)
⚫ How would you describe the status of gender equality within the legal profession? (44:40)
⚫ How does the concept of ‘intersectionality’ impact the area of gender equality law? (49:21)
1. Quebec’s Bill 21 and Substantive Gender Equality (12:42) Download
– Cee Strauss, “Section 28’s Potential to Guarantee Substantive Gender Equality in Hak c Procureur général du Québec” (2021) 33:1 Canadian Journal of Women and the Law pp.85-115
– Ichrak Nourel Hak, et al. v. Attorney General of Québec, QCCA 2024
2. Saskatchewan’s Pronoun School Policy (12:39) Download
– “Pronoun case adjourned as province applies for leave to appeal judge’s decision allowing challenge”, CBC News, 26 Feb 2024
– Bill 137 – Parents’ Bill of Rights
3. Coercive Control as a Criminal Offence (13:56) Download
– Bill C-332 – An Act to amend the Criminal Code (coercive control of intimate partner)
– “These parents turned agony of losing daughters to intimate partner violence into missions to help others”, CBC News 23 Aug 2024
4. Ask-Me-Anything: Gender Equality Law (15:18) Download
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⚫ What factors should startups consider when deciding between different corporate structures, such as incorporation versus limited partnerships?
⚫ How should founders approach equity distribution among co-founders, employees, and investors to avoid future legal disputes?
⚫ What are some legal considerations for startups who are seeking venture capital or angel investment?
⚫ What are some key ways in which the work of a startup lawyer differs from a “typical” corporate/commercial lawyer?
About the Guest:
Pam Hrick is the Executive Director & General Counsel at the Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF).
In her role, she leads and manages LEAF’s legal activities and daily operations, and works with the Board to develop the vision and strategic plan for the organization. Pam joined LEAF from a boutique litigation firm and, prior to that, clerked for judges at the Federal Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. • She also served as the Legislative Advisor and Issues Manager to the Attorney General of Ontario.
Pam has been an active volunteer in the legal community and broader community, including serving as the Chair of the Board of Management of The 519, a city organization that advocates for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQ+ communities.She has been recognized as a 2022 Lexpert Rising Star (Leading Lawyers Under 40) by Lexpert Magazine and a “Leader to Be Proud Of” by Start Proud.
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