As the newly elected president of the Association of Italian Canadian Jurists of Québec, I would like to briefly address the question as to who we are. This association of Italian-Canadian jurists was founded about nine years ago by a group of enthusiastic Québec jurists of Italian descent all very eager to give back to their community and to the young, up-and-coming jurists, for the enormous privilege they enjoyed in having attained the rank and ability to practice so great a profession.
The majority were first generation lawyers, notaries and even judges, who had realized a tremendous dream. They were the pride and joy of their parents, relatives and friends. They had been admitted as members of the prestigious legal community of Québec; what an accomplishment for these sons and daughters of mostly poor immigrants who had come to Canada in search of a better life!
Through this profound sense of gratitude, they aspired to give back to their community. The Association of Italian Canadian Jurists of Québec has grown since its humble inception. We’ve participated in numerous cultural events, social activities and have given out bursaries to deserving young law students. We created a website. And most recently, we have initiated a very successful legal training program dedicated to fulfilling the training requirements of both le Barreau du Québec and la Chambre des Notaires du Québec.
Our mission at the outset, though honourable, was rather simple. As the years passed, the Board members realized that the Italian legal community had a much larger role to play in the lives of ordinary Italian-Canadians. This was particularly true for the younger generation, who like us, aspired to enter the legal profession, or any other for that matter. I can say that we have come a long way since those early days, but I can also candidly offer that there is a lot more work to be done.
Aujourd’hui notre mission est en pleine évolution. Comme juristes, nous sentons le besoin de jouer un rôle beaucoup plus actif dans le combat contre les préjugés, les injustices et les stéréotypes. Nous, les Italo-Québécois, avons toujours vécus ces difficultés mais des événements récents ont encore une fois émané un nuage sombre sur notre communauté.
We, as jurists, must take positive steps to turn this around. How do we do this? No one said it would be easy and I don’t profess to possession of a miracle solution. But I feel that we, as an association of Québec Jurists, must become more actively involved in the selection and mentoring of good, honest, hard-working people to represent us. We should be consulted and permitted to advance recommendations for those worthy candidates seeking higher positions in government and even the judiciary. We must voice our concerns and our outrage in public forums when the media systematically links our nationality with criminal behaviour. If we are to defeat this monster, that association must be unequivocally eroded.
I believe most of you understand the magnitude of the work that lies ahead when it comes to this subject.
C’est triste mais cette situation n’a pas beaucoup changé depuis des décennies. Nous et nos enfants doivent encore aujourd’hui faire face à des injustices et des préjugés basés sur notre nationalité d’origine.
Québec society has to be told and shown repeatedly that Italians are best known for their endemic contributions to the world of government and politics, to the world of fashion and design, for the great scientific discoveries, for the operas and frescoes, not to mention the best food in the world.
The Italian Business Community in general also has a lot of rebuilding to do. We must, at all costs, turn the tide and regain the confidence and respect of Québec society.
When looking out at the young Italian-Canadians who are entering the workforce I am so, so proud and encouraged. Here is a generation at the top of its game. Most are fully trilingual and brimming with confidence. We have to be there for them. We have to make sure that their chances at greatness are not undermined by the errors of past generations. And I guarantee you that our Association will be there to serve this purpose.
But each individual must also do his/her part. I call upon you and all young Italian Canadians to take up the cause and get involved in this great adventure, in this great family we are creating - a family of vibrant, honest, hard-working Italians like our forefathers, who came to this country with but a few dollars in their pockets and a whole lot of dreams. Most of our own mothers and fathers worked indefatigably throughout their lives and sacrificed all in the name of a brighter future for their sons and daughters – a future they could never have imagined for themselves. Let's not kid ourselves; we are the beneficiaries of those sacrifices. Lest we forget.
I have great confidence in our younger generation of Italian businessmen and women, in the lawyers, notaries, doctors, teachers, construction workers and labourers from all walks of life, that they will not allow the waste of this tremendous gift that was bequeathed to us by our parents. I am confident that we will succeed in this endeavour and that we will indeed make a difference. Later generations should look upon us as the ones who did not waver, who kept the course set out by our forefathers so that our children could attain greatness in their own right.
Merci. Thank you. Grazie.
