T
he Annual Meeting of the Canadian Section of the International Commission of Jurists took place on Monday August 16, 2004, at the Winnipeg Convention Centre. President Ed Ratushny presided over the Meeting, which was attended by approximately 40 members from across the country.

Following approval of the minutes, President Ratushny delivered the President’s Report, which began with an update on the initiatives he had set out at the Montreal Annual Meeting in 2003. The special Executive positions created to carry out specific tasks were established and already functioning, but changes to the Administration are still underway, he said. A number of successful local meetings organized by Regional Vice-Presidents also took place in the previous year. He spoke about the establishment of a “Bar Committee,” chaired by Ron Atkey, Vice-President for Ontario, which will explore the recruitment of more lawyers as members, a potential internship program with ICJ Geneva, and a sponsorship program that would encourage large law firms to make financial contributions to ICJ Canada by sponsoring specific activities such as the Newsletter or web site.

President Ratushny recognized the “tireless contributions” of National Vice-President Brian Crane and thanked him for his continuing efforts on behalf of ICJ Canada, and he thanked the Honourable Ian Binnie, who made himself available to speak at local meetings in Halifax and Vancouver. He also noted the appointment of the Honourable Michèle Rivet as ICJ Commissioner, joining Justice Binnie as a Canadian representative to that body.

President Ratushny concluded his address by naming the following objectives for the coming year: to strengthen the administration, to recruit new members, and to explore and establish new sources of institutional funding.

The President’s Report was followed by a report on the international projects, delivered by Brian Crane and Caroline Meilleur. A report prepared by the Project was tabled.

Brian Crane also delivered the membership and financial reports, and the 2003 audited statement was tabled. Price Waterhouse Coopers was re-appointed ICJ Canada auditor for 2004.

The report of the Nominating Committee was adopted, and a short meeting of Council followed.

The meeting concluded with an address by the Honourable Rosalie Abella, winner of the 2004 Walter Tarnopolsky Award.

The President’s Report and the draft minutes can be obtained from the Ottawa office or read in full on our web site at www.icjcanada.org.•