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President’s & Board’s Message

    President's Message - 2026

    As you may have noticed, this edition marks a new chapter for the BCPA as we launch our first e-blast!

    It's been a busy and exciting year for the BCPA, with many changes and opportunities shaping the future of our profession. Before I share a few updates, I want to thank all of you for your continued support of the BCPA and its Board. Your engagement, encouragement, and participation help make everything we do possible.

    A special thank you to Megan Stratikopoulos , our new Director of Publications, who has been instrumental in bringing this first e-blast edition of The Paralegal Press to life as we embrace new ways of connecting with our members and partners. The e-blast editions of the Paralegal Press are not just keeping pace with change; it is helping lead us confidently into the future, with fewer paper cuts.

    I'd also like to recognize my fellow Board members. Their dedication to the BCPA and their commitment to the success of the paralegal profession in British Columbia is inspiring. They generously give their time, energy, and expertise to support our members and move the Association forward, and I am incredibly grateful to work alongside such a talented group of people.

    As Terry Becker settles into her role on the Legal Professions British Columbia (LPBC) Transitional Board as the BCPA Representative, we are excited to see how her experience and dedication will help advance the interests of paralegals during this pivotal period.

    As a key stakeholder in the future of legal regulation in British Columbia, the BCPA has an important seat at the table, and Terry serves as our voice in those discussions. As President, one of my priorities is ensuring there is an open line of communication between our members, the Board, and Terry in her role as our representative. The strength of our advocacy comes from our members and the board, and we are committed to ensuring the profession’s perspectives are heard as these changes continue to unfold and take effect. As BCPA members, we will continue to provide you with updates via our website. We will also be sharing member-exclusive updates and announcements through our Members' Area, so be sure to check in regularly for the latest news.

    Like many of you, we've also been following developments surrounding the Law Society of BC’s (“LSBC”) constitutional challenge of the Legal Professions Act. Following the BC Supreme Court's April 2026 decision dismissing LSBC’s challenge, the LSBC has since filed an appeal. While the Court recognized the importance of an independent bar, it ultimately found that the Legal Professions Act does not undermine that independence to the extent that it would be unconstitutional. The appeal process is now underway, and we will continue to provide updates via our website as new developments arise.

    Looking ahead to the fall, the board remains focused on several key priorities, including growing our membership and strengthening engagement with legal professionals in remote and non-urban communities throughout BC. I'm pleased to share that since our AGM, membership has grown by 6%. That's something worth celebrating and a reflection of the value our members find in the connections, advocacy, education, and opportunities the BCPA provides.

    To help foster these connections, we recently launched our Members Who Gather initiative. These casual regional gatherings are designed to bring members together to network, exchange ideas, share experiences, and build relationships with colleagues in their communities. Whether you're in a larger centre or a smaller community, we hope these gatherings help create meaningful opportunities to connect with one another and strengthen our professional network across the province.

    Listening to our members remains one of our most important priorities. Earlier this year, we launched our first Member Engagement Survey, and approximately 110 members took the time to participate. That's an incredible response, and I want to thank everyone who shared their feedback.

    The survey gave us valuable insight into what matters most to you. We heard a strong desire for increased advocacy and greater public awareness of the profession, more professional development opportunities, and additional ways for members to connect and network. We are listening, and your feedback is already helping shape our priorities and future initiatives.

    Continuing our commitment to supporting members' professional growth, we are currently developing our professional development courses for the fall and look forward to sharing more information shortly. We have also introduced a new Industry Connect page on our website, providing members with a central hub for industry news, updates, and opportunities. If you missed an email blast, or accidentally sent us to junk mail, do not stress, just head to the Industry Connect page to stay in the know.

    As we look ahead to the coming season, a quote by Helen Keller comes to mind:

    "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

    That idea is at the heart of the BCPA. Whether you're volunteering, attending events, sharing knowledge, or simply cheering each other on, every contribution helps strengthen our community. Thank you for all that you do. I look forward to seeing what we can accomplish together in the months ahead. As they say, many hands make light work, and a few more paralegals never hurt either.

    Warm regards,
     

    Rosina Jagore
    President and Director of Growth & Development
    BCPA