Lawyers are criticized for attempting to operate a business with a view to make a profit. Mccleans's does exactly the same thing. In downtown Toronto, realty taxes are excessive as are the rents. The large law firms help sustain our tax base  and public pensions (public pension funds own almost all the big towers), employ thousands and help the local economy. They pay millions in income taxes and business taxes. They help support legal aid and other programs such as Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program!

Lawyers support "Lawyers Feed the Hungry Program" where thousands of poor citizens get a good meal. These poor citizens live on the streets because the government has failed and/or been unable to support them and they arewelcomed with open arms to Osgoode Hall( the most important location and home of the Law Society and the Courts) where they are fed by lawyers, judges and students and they are treated with respect and dignity.

This program costs millions each year and is funded entirely by lawyers. These poor citizens are rejected by our society and are outcasts yet they get a warm meal, a place to come in out of the heat or cold or rain, and are received with love and care (the government does not do this and MacLeans most certainly does not!).

Yes, lawyers have many faults. All humans are imperfect. Only GOD is perfect. At the same time, if you get into trouble the lawyer is called upon to help you. In many cases, legal aid is not available (public legal aid is an illusion and shell game as the vast majority of our citizens are regected and the public is denied access to justice)and the lawyer will work pro bono (for free) or will carry you unti the case is resolved (settled or litigated).

Lawyers are essential to a free and democratic society. The Law Society of Upper Canada has a great new Treasurer, Gavin McKenzie, who has written the book on Lawyers' Ethics and the problem lawyers are being disciplined (dispared or suspended).

The system is not perfect as,at times, some lawyers get preferential treatment but this also is changing and all lawyers are now on the same level thanks to the work of Gavin McKenzie, the Treasurer, of the Law Society who is well respected by lawyers and the public.

Self-regulation works in Ontario. Having government regulation is a step backwards (the government took control of Legal Aid Ontario and has  failed; today there is less access to justice then in the old regime where the Law Society managed Legal Aid) and reminds of the failure of the Soviet Union and other countries where the government controls everything and where liberty is the cassualty!