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He also explained that fraternity develops through networking events such as holiday parties, golf and skating events, college visits and paralegal post-exam receptions. It is an opportunity for members to talk to more experienced paralegals and get advice from them. There are many tribunals where only a small number of paralegals are servicing clients. It is important to meet these paralegals at social events and ask questions about these non-busy tribunals.
According to John Tzanis, amalgamation would improve efficiency in services, advocacy, education, mentoring and marketing. He also pointed out that the Ontario Bar Association has 33 full-time paid staff, a beautiful building and it is fully equipped; whereas our association is run by volunteers, has no office location and no equipment. Our association needs to expand so that we can eventually have an office, equipment and full-time paid staff so more time could be spent doing association business.
Robert Burd, President of the LPA who was present at this meeting provided a brief history of the LPA. He explained that the creation of the LPA dated back to 1985 when a group of five paralegals who were called ‘agents’ at that time, formed the ‘Association of Agents at Court’. That association eventually turned into the LPA. The purpose of that association was educating the agents and strengthening the profession. Burd’s father was one of those five agents. Burd said that he was initially reluctant to give up what his father had built; however, he was eventually convinced that amalgamation was the “correct route to take”. On March 29, 2014, the LPA members voted in favor of amalgamation (with a ninety six percent vote for amalgamation).
Marian Lippa, paralegal bencher at the LSUC, was the third person to make a speech before the votes were cast. She pointed out that the reason she became a member of the PSO was the importance of being part of an organization that addresses the issues that affect the paralegal profession; issues that she could not address alone. “When you choose to vote today, remember that you are voting for a voice for yourself. One organization such as OPA, which we expect to be a broad representation of this province, is your voice to address the LSUC on issues.”
In the end, the PSO members cast their votes and the results were announced shortly thereafter: Unanimous ‘Yes’ to amalgamation!
According to legislation, the Ministry’s approval will now be required for official amalgamation. This approval should take 4 to 6 weeks. There will be an interim Board until this approval is received and a new Board is elected.
The current Board consists of 14 Directors from PSO, 9 Directors from LPA and 1 Student Director.
The new Board will consist of 17 Directors and 1 Student Director
Existing members of the PSO or the LPA do not have to pay new membership fees to join OPA.
Many paralegals in Ontario are now excited. They believe that a new era in the paralegal profession has begun.