I am running for bencher of the LSO in the upcoming elections this month to give a voice to countless foreign trained lawyers who are inadequately represented at convocation.

The Issues I stand for:

1) Increasing diversity and inclusion.

Almost all benchers advocate for this, but hold negative views about foreign trained lawyers entering the Ontario legal community. New immigrants and foreign trained Canadians face so many barriers to entry in the legal profession and Its time to put pressure on the LSO to change the discriminatory practices affecting NCA candidates.

2) Reducing Costs:

The LSO has significantly increased its budget for full time employees and the organization and its costs are only increasing. We need a line-by-line review of how the LSO spends members' money. We also need to reduce lawyer licencing fees.

3) Remove crippling over-regulation:

Over-regulation hurts small firms and solo practitioners. Its time the law society work with its members rather than against them.

4) Repeal the SOP:

The statement of principles, no matter how noble the idea and message may be, is a clear violation of our constitutionally protected right to free expression. As a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, coercive speech is anything but inclusive. It tells people that there is only one way to think or feel and is reminiscent of practices of communist or totalitarian regimes. We live in a liberal, free and western democracy where people cannot be coerced into expression, even if the expression is a viewpoint they may personally hold.

Thank you for your time and support and I look forward to serving you.

Liran Kandin Barrister & Solicitor LSO Bencher Candidate 2019