Barbara Kay: Rigorous DEI Studies Set the Record Straight on the Flawed Agenda

Commentary In 2016, the Law Society of Ontario published a report, “Challenges Facing Racialized Licensees: Best Practices memorandum,” setting out LSO expectations of members in combatting alleged “systemic racism” in the profession. Henceforth, every licensee would be required “to adopt and to abide by a statement of principles acknowledging their obligation to promote equality, diversity and inclusion generally, and in their behaviour towards colleagues, employees, clients and the public.” The LSO also demanded demonstration of “a personal valuing” of these principles. In other words, the LSO was demanding that lawyers and paralegals draft and then abide by a set of political ideas, both professionally and personally, based in racial identity, as a condition for the right to practice. Failure to draft and sign such a statement could result in licence suspension....