U of S College of Law launches French Common Law Certificate program

Through a partnership with the University of Ottawa’s Faculty of Law, the program will provide new opportunities for bilingual students and increase access to legal services in French in francophone minority communities.

The event will include a discussion featuring the Honourable Justice Bastarache (retired Supreme Court Judge), the Honourable Justice Major (retired Supreme Court Judge) and Honourable Justice Pelletier (Federal Court of Appeal) regarding bilingualism at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Thursday, Nov. 24

2:30 – 3:30 pm

College of Law

15 Campus Drive

University of Saskatchewan

Martin Phillipson, dean of the College of Law, said the response to the program has exceeded his expectations.

“To launch the program with six students enrolled is an indication of the value our students find in broadening their legal training beyond the classroom, and we are thrilled to partner with the University of Ottawa to provide our students with this unique opportunity.”

“Having grown up in a bilingual environment, I recognize the importance of being able to communicate effectively in both official languages,” said Jake Tolton, a first-year U of S law student from Chelsea, Que. “I am excited to be part of the inaugural class of this certificate and study at both of the highly reputable universities involved.”

First-year law student Marie Digney of Regina, said that bilingualism has opened doors to many incredible opportunities for her.

“I am excited about the launch of the program, which will allow students to attain a bilingual formation in law right here in Saskatchewan,” she said, adding that the launch of the certificate speaks to the growth of Saskatchewan's francophone community and the fulfilment of its needs in the context of accessing legal services in French.”

François Larocque, vice-dean of the French common law program and associate professor at the University of Ottawa, is confident the program will have a significant impact on minority francophone communities.

“The inauguration of this program is an important step in increasing access to legal services in French for underserved francophone minority communities,” said Larocque. “This partnership between our institutions will play a key role in addressing this issue.”

Representatives from the program and students currently enrolled in the program will be available for interviews prior to the start of the event on November 24. In addition, the recipient of a new scholarship offered by the Association des juristes d’expression française de l’Alberta for students enrolled in the program will be announced during the launch.

 


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For more information, contact:

Sarah Trefiak

Communications Officer

College of Law, University of Saskatchewan

306-966-1062

sarah.trefiak@usask.ca