BarNotes: The Voice of Saskatchewan’s Legal Community

Article | April 11, 2025

Available Support for Victims/Survivors of Intimate Partner Violence in Saskatchewan

While lawyers assist clients with legal matters, it is beneficial to know where to find support services specifically for victims and survivors of abuse.

Article | February 28, 2025

Clare’s Law in Saskatchewan: The Process and its Impact

The story of Clare Wood, whom the Interpersonal Violence Disclosure Protocol (Clare’s Law) Act is named after, illustrates what can happen when this principle is not followed. 

Article | December 10, 2024

The Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on the constitutionality of Bill C-92: not the aboriginal rights victory we had hoped for

A recent Supreme Court ruling affirms Bill C-92 as constitutional in giving Indigenous governing bodies the ability to assert jurisdiction regarding child and family services.

Article | November 19, 2024

50th Anniversary of the Law Reform Commission of Saskatchewan

Over the last 50 years, 34 members of Saskatchewan’s legal profession – including practitioners, academics, judges, and civil servants – have served as commissioners in undertaking independent and consultation-based law reform.  

Article | October 01, 2024

Implications of the Accessible Saskatchewan Act

As part of a recent nation-wide movement towards accessibility legislation, the Accessible Saskatchewan Act intends to improve accessibility by preventing and removing barriers that people with disabilities face.

Article | September 19, 2024

Navigating the Evolution of Assisted Dying

The legal and healthcare communities must keep abreast of end-of-life law and healthcare changes to provide individuals and families with accurate information to support individual autonomy at the end-of-life. 

Article | May 28, 2024

No Place Like Home

Tent encampments in the park. Recipients of social assistance living in substandard accommodation. Indigenous communities dealing with inadequate and overcrowded housing. Would-be renters, including thousands of students, unable to access affordable rental options. Young people unable to imagine home ownership in their future. 

Article | May 22, 2024

PART 2 – Legal Data in Saskatchewan and implications for a justice data commons

Legal and non-legal organizations in Saskatchewan in family and civil law sectors collect important justice data—what if there was a province-wide justice data commons readily accessible to decision-makers and stakeholders? 

Article | May 03, 2024

The Wisdom of the March Hare and the Mock Turtle - Musings on Mental Wellness

Lawyers practice in high-conflict, deadline-driven and emotionally charged situations. When they are not engaging with clients, legal practitioners can spend solitary, mentally challenging hours preparing documents, developing case strategy or preparing for court.

Article | May 02, 2024

Increase of Asylum Seekers to Saskatchewan Demands an Increase in Legal And Non-Legal Supports

Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) is experiencing a large spike in the number of asylum seekers in Regina needing assistance with making an inland refugee claim. 

Article | February 16, 2024

An Invitation for Ongoing Collaborative A2J Action Supported by Findings from the Saskatchewan Legal Data Scan and Needs Assessment – Part 1

CREATE Justice, with the Centre for Forensic Behavioural Science and Justice Studies, announced the release of the final reports of the Legal Data Scan and Needs Assessment, which seek to improve access to justice.

| January 16, 2024

Life on the airwaves

I have previously written about the project started in 2019 that resulted in the publication this year of a book and now it's a podcast.

Article | November 09, 2023

Saskatchewan Must Implement Its Own UNDRIP Legislation If It Is Serious About Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples

Saskatchewan needs a provincial UNDRIP legislation for two reasons: one, because the federal legislation only imposes obligations on the federal government; and two, because of Saskatchewan’s role in the cultural genocide against Indigenous peoples. 

| September 28, 2023

BOOK REVIEW: Creating a Seat at the Table

No matter where you are in your path – whether you are a law student excited about entering the profession, or a lawyer 25 years into your career – you have something to learn from this book.

| September 13, 2023

Interview: A look ahead with CBASK President, Steven Dribnenki

Steven Dribnenki is the new CBA Saskatchewan President, his term having officially begun on  September 1, 2023, running through until August 31, 2023. 

Article | September 07, 2023

The Law Firm Summer Student Experience

Throughout my two summers at MLT Aikins, mentorship was the most beneficial aspect of my experience. Connecting with lawyers genuinely interested in teaching students and assigning meaningful work allowed me to build my confidence.

Article | August 24, 2023

The Unfortunate Consequences of a Revoked Will: A Case Comment on Vance (re), 2021 skqb 320

Some clients may still be impacted by the principle of revocation by marriage, if their will was revoked by marriage before the 2020 amendment.

Article | August 24, 2023

Sisters in law are doing it for themselves

A soon to be released collection of essays reveals challenges and triumphs of women in the legal profession.

| July 27, 2023

Reflections on our first year

By embracing remote work and modern office models, Procido LLP has gone from hanging a shingle to a team of 25.

Article | July 05, 2023

Interview On Community Service With Patricia Warsaba, K.C.

Sydney Sukymka and Patricia Warsaba, K.C. of McKercher LLP to discuss receiving the 2023 Canadian Bar Association Saskatchewan Branch Community Service Award.

Article | June 15, 2023

Rethinking Cultural Competency Courses: Learning From Law Schools

Controversy has erupted in response to law societies across Canada mandating cultural competency courses like the CBA's "The Path" program.

| May 10, 2023

A Day in the Life of a Legal Aid Lawyer

As the legendary Forrest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re going to get.” A day in the life of a Legal Aid lawyer is similar.

Article | April 17, 2023

Medical Assistance In Dying (Maid) In Saskatchewan: What You Need To Know

Bill C7 (March 2021) broadened eligibility to persons without reasonably foreseeable natural death (RFND), adding some additional safeguards, such as increasing the mandatory waiting period for 90 days, while MAID for sole mental illness was initially excluded until March 17, 2023 (recently deferred to March 2024).

Article | April 05, 2023

Feeling the Burn? Burnout in Family Law and How to Cope

Burnout is not unique to family law. I would hazard a guess that most lawyers experience burnout at some point in their career.

| April 05, 2023

Notes on Retirement

The toughest thing was to leave the partnership.  To actually retire.  It was my hardest decision, but it turned out to be not a difficult or drawn-out process.

| March 15, 2023

Direct supervision amendments: well-considered and poorly worded

As most lawyers know, our Code of Professional Conduct (the Code) has been amended to clarify the requirements regarding direct supervision of non-lawyers (see s. 6.1 of the Code). These amendments were thoroughly considered after many consultations related to non-lawyers’ roles in the legal industry, with the goal of improving access to justice.

Article | February 03, 2023

Why Such a Fuss About “White Privilege”?

There is perhaps no more contested term in the current discussions of race, discrimination and equality than the phrase “white privilege”.

Article | January 10, 2023

Amazing Projects Offered Through P.L.E.A. To Assist Sk Citizens Dealing With Sexual Violence/Harassment At Work/Home Or Anywhere

The Shift Project offers up to 4 hours of free legal advice for individuals who have suffered workplace sexual harassment at a Saskatchewan workplace.

Article | December 12, 2022

Family Dispute Resolution – Where are we Now

After successful pilot programs in Prince Albert and Regina and in accordance with s.44.01 of the Queen’s Bench Act, mandatory early family dispute resolution has been extended across the entire province of Saskatchewan, effective July 1st, 2022.

Article | December 12, 2022

Umm Excuse Me? We now have to do what exactly? Mandatory Early Family Dispute Resolution Processes in Saskatchewan Family Law Matters

As of July 1, 2022, parties to a family law action in Saskatchewan must participate in a family dispute resolution process before proceeding with a court application.

Article | November 24, 2022

Interview with CBASK President Jana Linner

New CBA Saskatchewan (CBASK) President, Jana Linner, discusses her priorities, judicial independence and advocating for the increased representation of women in the legal profession.

Article | November 21, 2022

An Employer's Right to Implement a Vaccination Policy where there is no Public Health Order or Regulations

Although the world has largely adapted to the new normal of the COVID-19 pandemic, the COVID-19 virus and its variants continue to create uncertainties for employers.

| November 07, 2022

A Farewell to Online Recruitment

In the pre-pandemic world, hiring summer students and articling students involved several networking events, such as the CBA Law Firm Showcase, the College of Law Career Fair and receptions hosted by law firms themselves.

| November 07, 2022

Bossware: Spying or Support?

Employers struggled throughout the COVID-19 pandemic with a problem: were their remote employees working?

Article | November 07, 2022

No Reason to be Smug

The Texas legislature recently passed a bill – referred to in the media as the “Don’t Say Gay” bill – that is meant to prevent teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity in an “inappropriate” way.