The statement has proved incredibly controversial, although not because anyone (seemingly) takes issue with the values articulated in it. Certainly, the law society — and professional bodies generally — has a responsibility to regulate the conduct of its members in the practice of their profession. First, it requires lawyers to conduct themselves in a certain way in their private affairs, which the law society has no business regulating. Diversity includes not merely diversity of appearance, but also diversity of thought. Even if every last lawyer agreed with its values, the Statement of Principles would still be wrong in principle.

Source: National Post November 10, 2017 20:15 UTC