Harry Rankin, QC Pro Bono Award

CBABC extends our congratulations to Monique Pongracic-Speier, KC (Ethos Law Group LLP) on receiving the 2024 Harry Rankin, QC Pro Bono Award.

Monique has worked with West Coast LEAF and the BC Civil Liberties Association on a number of high-profile cases. Most recently, she served as lead counsel in a constitutional challenge brought against the Province of BC and Legal Aid BC on behalf of women survivors of family violence. The resolution of this case resulted in a $29-million-dollar investment in family law legal aid. She also successfully worked to secure a Supreme Court of Canada ruling in 2011 allowing North America’s first legal supervised injection site to operate indefinitely, which continues to save lives. Read Monique's acceptance speech.

In recognition of the immense contribution of Harry Rankin, QC in supporting access to justice for the poor, the CBABC presents this annual award acknowledging commitment to pro-bono service.

ELIGIBILITY

Nominees must be CBABC members and a resident of B.C., but cannot be current members of the CBABC Board of Directors.

CRITERIA

This award recognizes outstanding contributions by a member of CBABC in the area of pro bono work.

NOMINATION & SELECTION

Nominations are sought in the spring. The CBABC Board of Directors selects the recipient. The nominee must consent to the nomination and must be nominated by three CBABC members in good standing.

PRESENTATION

The award is presented by the CBABC President at the last Provincial Council meeting of the fiscal year, usually held in June. The award is an etched glass sculpture depicting a stone pillar.

PREVIOUS RECIPIENTS

2023 – Michael Feder, KC

2022 – Tim Louis and Edward G. Wong

2021 - Marilyn Sandford, QC

2020 - Simon Coval, QC

2019 - David Wotherspoon

2018 - Gregory Heywood

2017 - Donna Turko

2016 - Sheila Tucker

2015 - Claire Hunter

2014 - Jamie F. Maclaren, QC

2013 - Donald J. Sorochan, QC

2012 - Bruce F. Fraser, QC

2011 - John-Paul Boyd

2008 - Angus Gunn

2007 - Carman Overholt, QC

2006 - Dugald Christie

2005 - Darrell Roberts, QC

2004 - Ronald F T MacIsaac

Names, designations and honorifics are reflected as they were when the award was presented.

Additional Information 

CBABC Awards
604.687.3404 or 1.888.687.3404
awards@cbabc.org