OSHAWA, Ont. - Durham College is pleased to announce today an initiative with the Law Society of Upper Canada and other community colleges that will pave the way for the education and licensing of paralegals in Ontario. Today marks the launch of the College Advisory Group (CAG), which will play a fundamental role in the smooth transition towards a future of paralegal licensing and regulation.
"In anticipation of a new licensing process for paralegals which still requires provincial government legislation, we are (or will be) creating rigorous educational standards and programs for students who wish to become independent paralegals in their communities," said Stephanie Ball, professor in Justice Studies, and co-ordinator of the Court & Tribunal Agent/Paralegal program. "Our educational expertise will be a critical resource in the development of any future paralegal licensing program."
The CAG's creation comes at a time when the Ontario government is considering the introduction of legislation that would, for the first time, require the Province's independent paralegals to be licensed and regulated.
The advisory group includes representatives of Durham College, Seneca College, Centennial College, Algonquin College, Humber College, Fleming College, and Sheridan College, the Ontario Association of Career Colleges, the Law Society and the Ontario Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities.
"We are extremely pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Law Society to prepare for the creation and expansion of community college programs that will provide necessary training for those who want to become paralegals," said Ball. "We recognize the years of experience and expertise the Law Society has in educating and licensing lawyers in Ontario-all of which will be extremely beneficial to us."
Ontario's Attorney General took an important step towards paralegal licensing and regulation in January 2004, when he asked the Law Society what needed to be done to expand its mandate to include public protection for consumers of paralegal services. Currently, no legislation exists to provide consumer protection for users of paralegal services.
The Law Society is a public body with a mandate to regulate in the public interest.
Following the Attorney General's request, the Law Society consulted with a variety of stakeholders including paralegals and community colleges throughout the province. Based on these discussions, the Law Society submitted to the Attorney General last September a proposed regulatory model for the delivery of all legal services.
Among other things, the proposed model calls for mandatory educational requirements as part of the licensing process for independent paralegals. The CAG is developing these educational requirements and programs in anticipation of new legislation that would protect members of the public who use paralegal services.
"We are very pleased that Durham College has demonstrated interest in this issue," said Frank Marrocco, Q.C., Treasurer of the Law Society of Upper Canada, its top elected official. "By helping the Committee develop high-quality educational programs and standards for students who wish to provide paralegal services, Durham College is showing leadership in both skills training and consumer protection."
Members of the newly formed College Advisory Group met January 19, in Toronto to announce an initiative that will play a fundamental role in the smooth transition towards paralegal licensing and regulation in Ontario. Participants include: Humber Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, Durham College, Seneca College, Centennial College, Algonquin College, Fleming College, and Sheridan College.
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About Durham College
For 37 years, Durham College has been committed to providing job-focused programs, accomplished professors, quality-driven innovation, student success and superior accountability. Our college has ranked first in provincial indicators for student satisfaction in the GTA for six years running, and at an 87.5 per cent grad employment rate, we have the highest ranking of the six GTA colleges. We've got over 6,000 students enrolled this fall in almost 100 programs. For more information, visit our website at www.durhamcollege.ca, or call 905.721.2000.
For more information, please contact:
Tania Henvey
Communications and Marketing
905.721.3111 ext. 2513
tania.henvey@durhamc.on.ca
For background information about paralegal regulation, please contact:
Law Society Communications
416.947.3317
Disclaimer: The contact information provided in archived news releases was current at the release date. For current information please contact Communications and Marketing.