Member Renewal FAQ
Demographic Data Collection FAQ
Why is the Law Society of Saskatchewan asking members to provide demographic data and self-identify?
One of the goals identified in the Law Society’s Strategic Plan 2019-2022 is to increase “equity, diversity and inclusion in the Law Society and legal service provision.” In the public interest, the Law Society promotes and supports inclusion, equity and diversity within its leadership and staff, and among Saskatchewan firms, lawyers, other legal service providers and the public.
In order to understand progress in meeting this goal, the Law Society needs to understand baseline information on the diversity of its membership and acquire this data over time. A human rights-based approach recognizes that data is key to identifying and understanding inequalities and establishing accurate measures is good practice for organizations that value diversity. The aggregate statistics drawn from this data will help the Law Society to better understand demographic trends in its membership and the legal profession, and to inform the development of programs and initiatives that advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and in the provision of legal services.
The information will be used to help fulfill the equity, diversity, and inclusion goal in the Law Society’s Strategic Plan. Members who self-identify assist the Law Society in understanding how its membership compares to the demographics of the profession and the population at large, track progress in meeting diversity goals, and inform programs and initiatives. When used or published, information will be compiled in aggregate so that individual members are not specifically identified.
The information provided is kept confidential by the Law Society in a secure system. Access to the information is restricted to limited Law Society staff members who require access for the purpose of data entry, reporting aggregate information, and analyzing trends. Data will be stored indefinitely or until updated by a member to help measure results of diversity initiatives over time.
Members are encouraged to provide demographic data, but it is provided entirely voluntarily. It is mandatory to complete demographic questions for annual renewal, but members choose their response and every question contains the choice “prefer not to answer” as well as the opportunity to explain any response.
No. The questions are consistent with provincial human rights legislation and other laws and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights has prepared a Report noting the importance of data to identify and understand inequalities. The Law Society has adopted the principles to a human rights-based approach to data collection outlined by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
For questions about demographic data collection and self-identification, you can contact the Law Society’s Equity Office:
1-866-444-4885
equity@lawsociety.sk.ca
There are a number of resources available to help members learn more about equity, diversity, and inclusion. The Government of Canada provides a glossary and common acronyms and mypronouns.org offers resources on using personal pronouns. The Law Society also has Continuing Professional Development content available on important equity, diversity, and inclusion themes:
| CPD No. | Year | Title and Link | Presenters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 203 | 2018 | Integration of Internationally Trained Lawyers | |
| 228 | 2019 | Diversity and Inclusion: Working with LGBTQ+ Clients | Jacq Brasseur, Executive Director, UR Pride Barton Soroka, Gerrand Rath Johnson |
| 229 | 2019 | Trends and Developments in Human Rights | Scott Newell, Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Megan Seidle, Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission |
| 257 | 2020 | Sexual Harassment in the Legal Profession: Creating a Safe Workplace Environment | Shelley Burwood Keir Vallance Nicole White |
| 262 | 2020 | CPD in the Context of Cultural Competency | Professor Frank H Wu, William L. Prosser Distinguished Professor of Law, UC Hastings College of the Law |
| 295 | 2021 | The Elephant In The Room: Gender Bias In The Legal Profession | Delee Fromm, Delee Fromm Consulting, Author, Lawyer and Psychologist Jayashree Goswami, Senior Counsel, Senior Counsel, Intact Insurance Darryl Singer, Diamond and Diamond Lawyers Jane Southren, Jane Southren Consulting, Advisor, Coach and Lawyer |
| 309.2 | 2021 | Unpacking Cultural Safety in the Context of Tribunals | Lisa C. Fong, Q.C. |
| 318 | 2022 | Saskatchewan’s African Canadian Heritage | Carol LaFayette-Boyd, Executive Director of the Saskatchewan African Canadian Heritage Museum |
Member Renewal Process FAQ
No. Members must complete the renewal process themselves as there are declarations to be sworn by the member upon completion of the renewal.
Answer yes if at any time during the reporting period you worked as a sole practitioner, worked in a firm, or practiced under a professional corporation and provided legal services to the public.
Answer yes if at any time during the reporting period you worked for Legal Aid or an organization that does not provide legal services to the public such as In-House Counsel, or a Government Agency.
As an Active Member of the Law Society in that Province or Territory:
- You hold a valid active membership in the province or territory you provided legal services in.
With special permission or permit from the Law Society in that Province or Territory:
- If you are non-litigating legal counsel employed by and providing legal services exclusively to the Government of Canada
- If you practiced under an interjurisdictional practice permit.
Within the provisions of the respective mobility agreement:
- You followed the provisions of that Province or Territories Mobility agreement. (e.g. National Mobility Agreement)
There are multiple questions on the Member Profile that require an administrative review if a member updates the information. These include changes to a legal name, email address, employers who are not found within the database, or the indication of a gender pronoun outside the list provided. Admin reviews are set for due diligence and security and privacy reasons as information is displayed to the public on the Find Legal Assistance Directory.
Once Law Society staff approves your renewal you will receive an email informing you your renewal has been approved and you can retrieve your invoice from your member profile home screen. If you do not receive an email within 2-3 business days, please log in to your member profile to confirm if your renewal is still pending. If it has not yet been approved, please contact our office at 306-569-8242 or email our Manager of Member Services, Allison Williamson at allison.williamson@lawsociety.sk.ca.
Online Banking – use online banking by setting the Law Society of Saskatchewan up as a bill payee using your four-digit barrister number and the first four letter of your last name as the account number (e.g., 1111AAAA).
EFT – Send EFT form to Ruth Armstrong by email at ruth.armstrong@lawsociety.sk.ca to be completed and returned.
Cheque – A cheque made payable to the Law Society of Saskatchewan can be mailed or couriered to the Law Society offices along with a copy of your Invoice.
Our office address is:
Law Society of Saskatchewan
Avord Tower
2002 Victoria Avenue, 11th Floor
Regina, SK S4P 0R7
Quarterly Payments – payments for annual fees can be made in four instalment payments. You must complete the form linked here, provide a void cheque, and provide a list of members to whom the quarterly installment payment authorization applies to. Applications must be returned to Ruth Armstrong at ruth.armstrong@lawsociety.sk.ca no later than December 1, 2022.
Fees are collected December 1, March 1, June 1, and September 1. Payments returned NSF can result in members being disqualified for non-payments of fees.