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Message From Our Managing Partner on Recent Events and Anti-Black Racism

06/04/2020

As we have watched the events of the past few weeks unfold, namely, the deaths in Black communities in the United States and Canada and the overwhelming sadness and outrage felt across society in response to these events, I am compelled to express our firm’s support to the Black community. We stand in solidarity against discrimination, violence and racism.

Although these events are the most recent in our minds, they are by no means the only examples of injustice, persecution or systemic bias faced by the Black community in the historic oppression of its members. The microaggressions and other forms of racism experienced by our Black colleagues, clients, and friends, is a burden that no one should have to endure and causes deep and lasting pain. Cassels has been and remains fully committed to eliminating discrimination or racism of any form and takes this commitment very seriously. But as a leading Canadian law firm, we can be better and do more, with a greater sense of urgency.

Actions speak louder than words, and Cassels has made a donation to the Toronto-based Black Legal Action Centre in support of their work to combat individual and systemic anti-Black racism. We also reaffirm our commitment to promoting Inclusion and Diversity both within and outside of the firm, and to focussing on doing the necessary work to create and maintain a culture where everyone is respected, appreciated, and feels supported to speak out.

I encourage everyone to take the time to listen, learn, and speak out so that collectively we can be better allies and find solutions together.

Mark Bennett
Managing Partner