Preamble 

Human rights legislation is afforded quasi-Constitutional status by the Supreme Court of Canada. It is so important that under the Law Society Rules of Professional Conduct (for lawyers) and the Paralegal Rules of Conduct, licensees of the Law Society of Ontario have a special duty to respect human rights in their dealings with others.  

EKM Law Professional Corporation (“EKM Law”) practices law and provides legal services in Ontario, authorized by the Law Society of Ontario, and acknowledges on behalf of itself and the licensees that it employs, that lawyers have a specific responsibility to honour the obligation not to discriminate on the grounds of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, record of offences (as defined in the Ontario Human Rights Code), marital status, family status, or disability with respect to professional employment of other lawyers, articled students or any other person or in professional dealings with other licensees or any other person. 

EKM Law recognizes and values equality and enhancing diversity and inclusion in the practice, at the legal workplace, and in public life. Further, EKM Law acknowledges that its efforts to contribute to equality, enhancing diversity and inclusion, are central to the maintenance of public trust and confidence in the legal profession. 

Purpose

To help achieve the objectives of valuing equality and enhancing diversity and inclusion, as found in Rule 3(1) of the Rules of Professional Conduct, EKM Law has adopted this Statement of Principles. 

No Discrimination or Harassment 

EKM Law is aware that under the Ontario Human Rights Code, R.S.O. 1990, c.H.19 (“the Human Rights Code”) every person has the right to be free from discrimination and harassment in employment. 

EKM Law acknowledges the obligation not to discriminate against, nor harass, any person based on the grounds under the Human Rights Code with respect to the employment of others, or in professional dealings with other licensees.  

EKM Law acknowledges the obligation not to tolerate, condone, or ignore any form of Human Rights Code-based harassment or discrimination in the legal workplace, or in professional dealings with other licensees or any other person. 

EKM Law acknowledges that the right to be free from discrimination and harassment applies to everyone at the legal workplace: clients, partners, associates, students, paralegals, legal assistants or other employees. 

Abide by Workplace Policies 

EKM Law agrees to review, understand and abide by all policies in the legal workplace that prohibit harassment and discrimination, and that encourage diversity and inclusion based on the grounds set out in Human Rights Code or other grounds. 

EKM Law will report any observations or allegations of harassment or discrimination. 

If asked, EKM Law will cooperate in any investigation and complaints procedure at the legal workplace. 

EKM Law will not reprise against, or threaten to reprise against, anyone for making a formal complaint of harassment or discrimination, or for cooperating in any investigation. 

Promote Diversity and Inclusion 

To promote diversity and inclusion EKM Law agrees to:   

      - review, understand and abide by all of the legal workplace’s policies that encourage diversity and inclusion on  Human Rights Code  or other grounds; 

      - encourage a culture of inclusion and diversity at the legal workplace, to help attract and retain the best talent and better serve its clients’ needs; 

      - support strategies in the legal workplace (and beyond it, where appropriate) that prioritize diversity and inclusion on Human Rights Code and other grounds in hiring, promotion and retention decisions; and 

       - cooperate and engage in any efforts of the Law Society, the legal workplace and others to advance equality, diversity and inclusion in the legal profession and in the broader community. 

Reconciliation 

As a licensee of the Law Society of Upper Canada, EKM Law stands by the following: 

        - A commitment to advance reconciliation; 

        - An acknowledgement of the importance of understanding that Canada is home to three distinct legal orders: Common, Civil and Indigenous; and 

        - A recognition of the diversity of the Ontario public, which includes communities of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples. 

Serve Clients/ the Public 

EKM Law is aware that under the Human Rights Code, every person has the right to be free from discrimination and harassment with respect to the provision of services, including legal services. 

EKM Law will provide legal services in a manner that is courteous and equitable, without discrimination or harassment. 

EKM Law will ensure that no client or prospective client is denied services or receives inferior service based on the grounds set out in the Human Rights Code. 

EKM Law will respect both the letter and spirit of human rights legislation in professional dealings with other licensees or any other person. 

(September 2021)