TDS Lawyer John Stefaniuk, K.C. Assumes his Role as President of the Canadian Bar Association

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published 09/01/2023

Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP (TDS) congratulates Partner John Stefaniuk, K.C. on beginning his year-long tenure as the 95th President of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA). This follows John’s election as CBA Vice-President in 2022. John’s transition to the role of President will be recognized during the Reception for the Transfer of the Chain of Office event held by the CBA at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights on September 7, 2023.

John's involvement with the CBA (including the Manitoba Bar Association) spans over thirty years. He has served as Chair of the National Environment, Energy and Resource Law Section, Chair of the Judicial Issues Subcommittee, Chair of the Investment Steering Subcommittee, member of the Supreme Court Liaison Committee, director of the Canadian Bar Insurance Association, and co-chair of three national conferences. He has travelled four times to East Africa with the CBA/Global Affairs Canada “Supporting Inclusive Resource Development” project, focused on improving the positions of women and their communities affected by extractive resource development. John was a member of the CBA’s Truth and Reconciliation Task Force. He also served as president of the Manitoba Bar Association in 2005-2006.

"As President, I look forward to continuing the CBA’s work in advocating for our members, promoting fair justice systems, facilitating effective law reform and upholding equality in the legal profession. I plan to focus on three key areas in particular:  protecting the rule of law at home and abroad; making the CBA a welcoming place for all members of the profession; and encouraging lawyers to give back to the profession and to their communities and celebrating those who do." said John Stefaniuk, K.C.

John's commitment to the community in which he lives and works is unwavering. It is fitting that the event to mark the beginning of his tenure will be held at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. As the Board Chair of The Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, he helped in the $150 million capital campaign that ultimately resulted in the building of the Museum in Winnipeg.

“John's appointment as President of the Canadian Bar Association shines a great light on TDS, the Manitoba legal community and the CBA. Everyone at TDS is proud of John's achievements and we look forward to the year ahead for him," said TDS CEO and Managing Partner Keith LaBossiere, K.C.

John earned his commerce and law degrees at the University of Manitoba and was called to the bar in 1988. He engages in a broad practice with an emphasis on environmental law, real estate and development law, natural resources and energy, commercial law and municipal law matters. He has been repeatedly named to the Lexpert®/American Lawyer Guide’s 500 Leading Lawyers in Canada. He is listed in the Canadian Legal LEXPERT Directory under Environmental Law and Property Development and in the international Chambers Guide and Who’s Who Legal guide under Environmental Law.

The CBA is the voice of Canada’s legal community and is an advocate for and on behalf of the more than 38,000 lawyers, judges, notaries, law teachers and law students from across Canada who are its members.

Related information

Read the September 1, 2023, CBA news release: John Stefaniuk Begins his Tenure as President of the Canadian Bar Association

Read the CBA/ABC National's Q and A article "Safeguarding the rule of law" featuring John Stefaniuk, K.C.

Read the September 8, 2023, Winnipeg Free Press article: Manitoba Lawyer Named Canadian Bar Association President

Photo of John Stefaniuk receiving the Chain of Office

John Stefaniuk receiving the Chain of Office during a ceremony in Winnipeg. September 7, 2023
Photo courtesy CBA

 

John Stefaniuk's Transfer of the Chain Speech - Priorities
 

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