(OTTAWA) – The Green Party of Canada is pleased to announce the appointment of Dimitri Lascaris to Justice Critic in the Party’s Shadow Cabinet.
"It's a privilege to work with Elizabeth May and the other members of the Green Party's shadow cabinet,” said Mr. Lascaris. “As a practising lawyer, I have come to understand that Canada's justice system is inaccessible to most Canadians, and fails to meet the needs of all but the wealthiest. As Justice Critic, I will strive to ensure that the government improves access to justice for all Canadians. I will also work for the repeal of Canada's widely condemned anti-terror law (Bill C-51). As the Green Party has recognized from the outset, Bill C-51 has placed at grave risk our most fundamental civil liberties, and it must not be permitted to stand."
Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada, said: “It’s an honour to welcome a seasoned lawyer like Dimitri to our Shadow Cabinet. He brings a keen understanding of the Canadian justice system and a conviction to ensure the legal system works for everyone, regardless of societal barriers. In the short-term, I look forward to working with Dimitri on repealing the many privacy violations permitted in Bill C-51. Welcome, Dimitri!”
Mr. Lascaris assumes the role effective immediately.
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For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Attaché de presse | Press Secretary
Parti vert du Canada
cellulaire : (613) 614 4916
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
Background on Dimitri Lascaris:
Dimitri Lascaris is practicing lawyer called to the bars of Ontario, the State of New York, and the Federal District Court for the Southern District of New York. He graduated from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 1991.
Following his graduation, Mr. Lascaris worked in the New York and Paris offices of a major Wall Street law firm, Sullivan & Cromwell. While at Sullivan & Cromwell, he represented the underwriting syndicate in what was, at the time, the largest initial public offering of common stock in United States history. He also acted on behalf of the Republic of France, the Bank of Greece and the German development bank KfW in numerous cross-border securities offerings.
After working at Sullivan & Cromwell, Mr. Lascaris became a partner in the class actions department of the Ontario-based law firm, Siskinds LLP, where Mr. Lascaris has since prosecuted environmental, human rights and securities class actions.
In 2012, Canadian Lawyer Magazine identified Mr. Lascaris as one of the 25 most influential lawyers in Canada, and in 2013, Canadian Business Magazine identified him as one of the 50 most influential people in Canadian business.
Mr. Lascaris is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Unity Project for the Relief of Homelessness, and is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Real News Network, an independent, not-for-profit media organization based in Baltimore, Maryland. He previously served as a Board member of Toronto 350.org.
In the 2015 federal election, Mr. Lascaris ran as the Green Party candidate in the riding of London West.
Mr. Lascaris speaks English, French and Greek.