Letter from the Editor
September 2, 2025 - Letter from the Executive Director
Yesterday marked the start of Canadian Defence Lawyers’ 2025/2026 Fiscal Year; and with it, I have now completed both a Full Calendar, and Full Financial year as Executive Director.
This year in alignment with our 2025/2028 Strategic Plan, volunteer leaders from seven committees were consulted on related sub-budgets, to ensure that our financial planning reflects the innovative and creative direction of our various committees.
Last year, we reimagined our budgeting process, exploring ways to enhance the board’s ability to understand and consider various options; this year’s final budget workbook featured 24 tabs, 6 of which contained one or more assumptions requiring Board consideration.
This approach blends thoughtful and intentional direction setting, with flexibility and innovation, to continue to deliver Best-in-Class CLE programming, while expanding member services and member value offerings.
Did you know 25% of CDL memberships renew at the beginning of the Fiscal Year on September 1st? Now is the time to check that your membership is in good standing.
Members can expect to see a small increase in member dues of $12.50, reflective of Cost-of-Living increases built into every aspect of our projected Revenue and Expenses; CDL is proud to have the most affordable member dues in the sector, and remains committed to providing member pricing across our educational and event calendar which allows members in good standing to recoup the cost of their membership through these discounts.
Members should also be aware of the education and services available to you through your CDL membership, which include:
We’re also expanding our team to better serve our members, as of yesterday, Amy Mosquera has officially joined our team as a permanent member of our staff; her title has also been expanded to Senior Manager, Membership and Marketing. We look forward to welcoming Bushra Chaudhary back from her Mat Leave in January, and leveraging our increased capacity to better serve the Canada’s Defence Bar.
Our next issue – due out December 2, 2025, will look back on a busy fall of programming, with a special feature on the 4th Annual Women’s Caucus Retreat : want to avoid all the FOMO? This event will sell out, secure your spot today (register here).
Until then, I want to thank all of the CDL Board Members for their thoughtful contributions to building the 2025/2026 budget, with special thanks to our Treasurer Grant Bodnaryk.
This year in alignment with our 2025/2028 Strategic Plan, volunteer leaders from seven committees were consulted on related sub-budgets, to ensure that our financial planning reflects the innovative and creative direction of our various committees.
Last year, we reimagined our budgeting process, exploring ways to enhance the board’s ability to understand and consider various options; this year’s final budget workbook featured 24 tabs, 6 of which contained one or more assumptions requiring Board consideration.
This approach blends thoughtful and intentional direction setting, with flexibility and innovation, to continue to deliver Best-in-Class CLE programming, while expanding member services and member value offerings.
Did you know 25% of CDL memberships renew at the beginning of the Fiscal Year on September 1st? Now is the time to check that your membership is in good standing.
Members can expect to see a small increase in member dues of $12.50, reflective of Cost-of-Living increases built into every aspect of our projected Revenue and Expenses; CDL is proud to have the most affordable member dues in the sector, and remains committed to providing member pricing across our educational and event calendar which allows members in good standing to recoup the cost of their membership through these discounts.
Members should also be aware of the education and services available to you through your CDL membership, which include:
- FREE Job Postings on cdlawyers.org, popular postings have a click-through rate of ~600.
- FREE DEI CLE Credits: planned by CDL’s D&I Committee and supported by the EDI Fund.
- Opportunities to build your personal brand: write for Hearsay; speak at an educational session; or join a working group of the Public Policy Secretariat, making submissions to governments, the courts and regulators.
We’re also expanding our team to better serve our members, as of yesterday, Amy Mosquera has officially joined our team as a permanent member of our staff; her title has also been expanded to Senior Manager, Membership and Marketing. We look forward to welcoming Bushra Chaudhary back from her Mat Leave in January, and leveraging our increased capacity to better serve the Canada’s Defence Bar.
Our next issue – due out December 2, 2025, will look back on a busy fall of programming, with a special feature on the 4th Annual Women’s Caucus Retreat : want to avoid all the FOMO? This event will sell out, secure your spot today (register here).
Until then, I want to thank all of the CDL Board Members for their thoughtful contributions to building the 2025/2026 budget, with special thanks to our Treasurer Grant Bodnaryk.