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Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Equality, Diversity and Inclusion initiative comprises five strategies the Law Society is implementing to address racism and discrimination in the professions. The strategies were recommended in the final report of the Challenges Faced by Racialized Licensees Working Group.

What you need to know and do

Educating for change

CPD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Requirement
Licensees subject to the Continuing Professional Development Requirement are to complete 3 Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Professionalism Hours by 2020.

CPD EDI Programs

Measuring progress

Inclusion Index
The Law Society will develop and publish an inclusion index for legal workplaces with 25 or more licensees. The index will be based on the legal workplace’s self-assessment information, demographic data obtained from the Lawyer Annual Report and Paralegal Annual Report, and the information gathered from the inclusion questions. The inclusion index will be made available to the professions and the public.

Accelerating diversity

Human Rights and Diversity Policy
Legal workplaces of at least 10 licensees are required to develop, implement and maintain a human rights/diversity policy for their legal workplace addressing at the very least fair recruitment, retention and advancement.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are my obligations?
The strategies include certain regulatory obligations that are being implemented in stages. See What You Need to Know and Do.
Where do I access and record the CPD EDI hours?
The Law Society has accredited a number of programs for EDI hours. In addition, to assist licensees, the Law Society is developing a free, three-hour accredited program, to be launched in l2019. The program will consist of a series of self-directed, on-line learning modules.

For other accredited programs check the calendars for Law Society Store and other CPD providers.

Record your 3 CPD hours in the Portal before the end of 2020.
How do I know if I need to have a Human Rights and Diversity Policy?
- What is the definition of a legal workplace?
  A place of work in Ontario where legal work is being done, such as providing legal advice, guidance or opinions.
- How do I determine if someone is a licensee?
  There is a definition in subsection 1(1) of the Law Society Act and most licensees are listed in the Law Society’s Lawyer and Paralegal Directory. For the purposes of your obligations relating to these strategies, include people who are licensees but are not working in a legal capacity, licensees whose licence is suspended and licensees on leave. You do not need to include Judges, as their licence is in abeyance as a result of subsection 31(1) of the Law Society Act.
- What does it mean to be employed by a non-licensee?
  For the purposes of this requirement, your employer is the individual or entity that pays your salary. For example, crown attorneys and in-house counsel are employed by non-licensees.
- I have more than one employer. How does this requirement apply to me?
  Licensees who have multiple places of work should include themselves in the setting where there are 10 or more licensees, if there is one. If none of the legal workplaces include 10 or more licensees then the Human Rights and Diversity Policy Requirement does not apply.
- I work on a contract basis with a number of different employers. How does the requirement apply to me?
  You should familiarize yourself with the requirement and its intent, and take appropriate steps to satisfy yourself that you are meeting the requirement. Licensees who have multiple places of work should include themselves in the setting where there are 10 or more licensees, if there is one. If none of the legal workplaces include 10 or more licensees then the Human Rights and Diversity Policy requirement does not apply.
- I work in the legal department of a large, multi-national organization. How do I determine if my employer is a licensee?
  For the purposes of this requirement, your employer is the individual or entity that pays your salary.
- I work outside of Ontario; do I still need to meet the requirement for a Human Rights and Diversity Policy?
  No. This requirement applies only to those in legal workplaces of at least 10 licensees in Ontario.
- I am not practising law or providing legal services; do I still need to meet the requirement for a Human Rights and Diversity Policy?
  All licensees in legal workplaces in Ontario of at least 10 licensees must meet the requirement for a Human Rights and Diversity Policy. As with all Law Society obligations, licensees must satisfy themselves that they have complied.
  
  There is a definition of licensee in subsection 1(1) of the Law Society Act. ‘Licensee’ includes anyone who is licensed by the Law Society of Ontario to practise law or provide legal services in Ontario.
  
  If you are licensed by the Law Society and are working in a legal workplace in Ontario with at least 10 licensees, you must meet this requirement regardless of whether you are currently practising law or providing legal services.
- My licence is in abeyance; do I need to meet the requirement for a Human Rights and Diversity Policy?
  No. Those whose licence is in abeyance under section 31 of the Law Society Act do not need to meet the requirement for a Human Rights and Diversity Policy.
- How do I determine how many licensees are in my legal workplace?
  All licensees should be included when determining if there are 10 or more licensees in your legal workplace. You can make inquiries and use the Lawyer and Paralegal Directory to determine if someone is a licensee.
- What if I had no idea someone was a licensee so I didn’t know to check?
  Licensees should determine if there are 10 or more licensees in their legal workplace to the best of their knowledge.

Lawyers and Paralegals – Here's what you need to KNOW AND DO for 2020 CPD Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Requirement Read the Working Together for Change final report

Terms or Concepts Explained