BC NOTARIES Jacqui Mendes
BC Notaries Spring Conference 2019
T
he BC Notaries Association Spring Conference was held April 13 and 14 at the River Rock Resort in Richmond. The conference theme was “Raising the Stakes: Professionalism + Practice.” • T he characteristic definition of a profession is an occupation that needs special training or a particular skill, one often respected because it involves a high level of education. A profession is conducted in the best interests of those it serves and is disciplined by rules of ethical conduct. BC Notaries are legal professionals who study, develop, and apply law to provide noncontentious public services. • Practice can be defined as the actual application of an idea,
Attorney General David Eby giving the conference keynote speech
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
The conference theme was selected to highlight the importance of continually maintaining and raising professional standards relating to the specifics of BC Notary practice. belief, or method or to perform an activity or exercise a skill repeatedly or regularly to improve or maintain a person’s proficiency.
Reflecting the theme, conference education sessions focused primarily on exploring how BC Notaries can raise and implement professional standards to better serve people across British Columbia. Key education sessions included current hot topics in BC such as the implementation of new real estate taxes including the provincial Speculation and Vacancy Tax and the Empty Homes Tax in the City of Vancouver.
In a climate of increasing regulation and where the digital space has become part of the do-it-yourself landscape, Notaries continue to enhance the skills most valued by the public who need inperson expert legal advice and services.
Risk Management continues to be one of the top and most frequently addressed education needs for all areas of Notary practice. Updated information on personal planning services including Wills and Representation Agreements was offered through education sessions on how to interview for estate planning and a review of the Wills and Estate Act that considered undue influence, the definition of a spouse, and what constitutes a valid Will.
Lawyer Trevor Todd presenting an update on the Wills and Estate Act
Lawyer Andrea Frisby presenting on Interviewing for Wills
The conference theme was selected to highlight the importance of continually maintaining and raising professional standards relating to the specifics of BC Notary practice.
BC Notaries Association
Volume 28 Number 2 Summer 2019
