The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) is the governing body for lawyers and paralegals in Ontario, Canada. Its primary function is to regulate the legal profession and ensure that practitioners uphold high standards of competence and ethics. In recent years, the LSO has been at the center of a controversial campaign known as StopSOP, later renamed FullStop. Let’s shed light on this campaign, its origins, its impact, and the perspectives of both its supporters and critics.
Origins of the StopSOP Campaign
The StopSOP campaign began as a response to the LSO’s introduction of a mandatory Statement of Principles. This statement required all lawyers and paralegals to acknowledge their obligation to promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in their professional practices. StopSOP supporters argued that this requirement infringed upon their freedom of expression and conscience, as they felt compelled to adopt and promote a set of values dictated by their regulatory body.
Timeline of Key Events
- 2017: The Law Society of Ontario (LSO) introduces the mandatory Statement of Principles requirement for lawyers and paralegals.
- 2018: The StopSOP campaign is formed to oppose the Statement of Principles requirement.
- 2019: In the Bencher elections, 22 StopSOP candidates are elected to the LSO’s governing body.
- 2020-2022: StopSOP benchers continue to voice opposition to EDI-related measures within the LSO.
- 2023: The StopSOP campaign rebrands as “FullStop” and participates in the bencher elections. The Good Governance Coalition is formed to counter the FullStop campaign.
- April 2023: The Good Governance Coalition wins the Bencher elections, defeating the FullStop slate.
Broadening Opposition to LSO’s EDI Efforts
As the campaign gained momentum, its focus expanded to encompass the LSO’s broader equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives. StopSOP supporters accused the LSO of denying the existence of systemic racism within the legal profession and characterized the organization’s EDI efforts as “woke social engineering.” They argued that these initiatives went beyond the LSO’s core mandate of ensuring competence and ethical conduct among legal professionals.
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StopSOP’s Impact on LSO Governance
2019 Bencher Elections
The StopSOP campaign significantly impacted the 2019 Bencher elections, which determine the composition of the LSO’s governing body. In these elections, 22 StopSOP candidates were successfully elected as benchers. Critics alleged that the presence of these benchers brought chaos and divisive politics to the LSO’s decision-making processes.
Actions and Rhetoric within the LSO
Once elected, StopSOP benchers continued to oppose EDI-related measures within the LSO. They made controversial statements and comparisons, such as likening EDI initiatives to totalitarian regimes and suggesting that acknowledging systemic racism was akin to promoting “race Marxism.” These actions and rhetoric further polarized the legal community and intensified the debate surrounding the LSO’s role in addressing diversity and inclusion issues.
2023 Bencher Elections
In the lead-up to the 2023 bencher elections, the StopSOP campaign rebranded itself as FullStop. The campaign’s platform centred on fiscal responsibility and stopping what they termed “woke excesses” within the LSO. FullStop candidates pledged to focus on the LSO’s core mandate and reduce unnecessary spending.
Formation of the Good Governance Coalition
In response to the FullStop campaign, a group of bencher candidates formed the Good Governance Coalition. This coalition positioned itself as an opposition to FullStop, promising to restore civility to the LSO and protect its ability to self-regulate. The Good Governance Coalition emphasized the importance of the LSO’s role in promoting equality and diversity within the legal profession.
Election Results
The 2023 Bencher election results saw the Good Governance Coalition secure a decisive victory, with all 45 of its candidates winning seats. Despite increasing its voter support compared to the 2019 elections, the FullStop slate ultimately failed to gain control of the LSO’s governing body.
Perspectives on the FullStop Campaign
Supporters of the FullStop campaign expressed concerns about the LSO’s direction and priorities. They argued that the organization had strayed from its core mandate and became overly political. FullStop supporters called for greater accountability and a renewed focus on ensuring the competence and ethical conduct of legal professionals.
Critics of the campaign warned that the slate’s actions and rhetoric threatened the LSO’s ability to effectively self-regulate in the public interest. They accused FullStop of employing divisive language and denying the existence of systemic issues within the legal profession. Critics maintained that the LSO had a responsibility to address matters of diversity and inclusion to ensure equal access to justice for all Ontarians.
To Wrap Up
The StopSOP (FullStop) campaign within the Law Society of Ontario reflects broader societal debates surrounding issues of equality, diversity, and inclusion. The campaign’s evolution and impact on LSO governance highlight the ongoing controversy and differing visions for the regulator’s role in addressing these matters. As the legal profession continues to grapple with questions of systemic discrimination and barriers to entry, the LSO will likely remain at the forefront of these discussions, striving to balance its mandate to protect the public interest with the diverse perspectives of its members.
Additional Resources for More Info:
- Law Society of Ontario Website Law Society of Ontario: https://lso.ca/home
- The Law Commission of Ontario Website The Law Commission of Ontario: https://www.lco-cdo.org/en/