They still don’t have approval from the province to create one, but Lakehead University’s proposed law school program has been approved by the Convocation Benchers of the Law Society of Upper Canada.
The decision ensures graduates of the program, should the law school get the government OK, will be able to enter the LSUC’s licensing process.
“The unanimous approval of our proposed curriculum by the Law Society of Upper Canada is indeed the final external vote of confidence we needed from the Benchers in the province,” said school president Brian Stevenson.
The decision, which follows the governing body’s curriculum approval in February, comes with certain conditions, including approval from Queen’s Park, something Premier Dalton McGuinty has steadfastly refused to offer.
”The real hurdle is to come,” said Lakehead’s director of communications Eleanor Abaya. “The last big step, through all this complex process, is we need to get funding and approval from the government.”
With the approval and vote of confidence from the law society, Abaya added they can now move toward obtaining the go-ahead from the province.
While there is no estimated timeline of when a law school could potentially be up and running in Thunder Bay, the university will be working hard and devoting resources to the effort.
Abaya said they are full of optimism and enthusiasm. Also, having the unanimous support of the law society reinforced the idea that a law school in Northern Ontario is a good plan.
The LU senate will meet next Friday to consider approving a faculty of law and law degree program. Should that occur, the school would then approach the province once again.
“There has been strong community support for the proposed law school and what it can mean to this region of Canada. We need the continued support of individuals, groups and Aboriginal communities to achieve a successful conclusion to this important undertaking,” LU chancellor Arthur Mauro said.
“We need everyone to rally behind us,” echoed Abaya.
The decision ensures graduates of the program, should the law school get the government OK, will be able to enter the LSUC’s licensing process.
“The unanimous approval of our proposed curriculum by the Law Society of Upper Canada is indeed the final external vote of confidence we needed from the Benchers in the province,” said school president Brian Stevenson.
The decision, which follows the governing body’s curriculum approval in February, comes with certain conditions, including approval from Queen’s Park, something Premier Dalton McGuinty has steadfastly refused to offer.
”The real hurdle is to come,” said Lakehead’s director of communications Eleanor Abaya. “The last big step, through all this complex process, is we need to get funding and approval from the government.”
With the approval and vote of confidence from the law society, Abaya added they can now move toward obtaining the go-ahead from the province.
While there is no estimated timeline of when a law school could potentially be up and running in Thunder Bay, the university will be working hard and devoting resources to the effort.
Abaya said they are full of optimism and enthusiasm. Also, having the unanimous support of the law society reinforced the idea that a law school in Northern Ontario is a good plan.
The LU senate will meet next Friday to consider approving a faculty of law and law degree program. Should that occur, the school would then approach the province once again.
“There has been strong community support for the proposed law school and what it can mean to this region of Canada. We need the continued support of individuals, groups and Aboriginal communities to achieve a successful conclusion to this important undertaking,” LU chancellor Arthur Mauro said.
“We need everyone to rally behind us,” echoed Abaya.
