Federal prosecutor quits Alberta Law Society board, citing 'silence' on rule-of-law attacks

Moira Rose Vane, a federal prosecutor and elected bencher with the Law Society of Alberta, has resigned effective immediately, citing the institution's inaction in the face of what she describes as attacks on the rule of law in the province.

Vane announced the resignation via LinkedIn post Friday. "The purpose of the law society is to uphold and protect the public interest in the administration of justice. It is with real disappointment that I say I have lost faith that this body is fulfilling that purpose," she wrote.

"The rule of law is under vicious attack in this province and I am not the first, nor will I be the last, to call this out. When an institution is silent in the face of what is happening in this province, that silence is complicity," Vane added.

Vane points specifically to the Law Society's lack of response to UCP government moves to dismantle diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. Legislation has barred professional regulators from requiring mandatory training such as the Law Society's Indigenous education program, The Path.

She also cited the government's move to curtail autonomy of the Alberta Law Foundation, which funds access to justice initiatives using interest from lawyers' trust accounts. The Law Society appointed Vane to the foundation board, but removed her and another lawyer earlier this year around the time of mass staff resignations.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery introduced legislation granting Alberta justice ministers general immunity from law society sanctions — a move that came after law society complaints against previous UCP justice ministers.

"I am not willing to lend my name or my presence to decisions I cannot support," Vane said in her statement. She declined to comment beyond the post.

Law Society of Alberta president Bud Melnyk thanked Vane for her service in a written statement: "There will always be room in the governance of the law society for different points of view."