Protecting the public’s information: Three professional orders offer a cloud service solution to their members

With the rapid virtualization of professional practices, lawyers, notaries and CPAs are using new technologies on a daily basis, which raises ethical and regulatory issues. It is becoming a major challenge to continuously ensure the security, confidentiality, availability and integrity of the information that members share and store in the practice of their profession. Professional orders must not only raise their members’ awareness of best practices in this area but also help them develop the right tools and behaviours.

“For us, protecting the public and preserving professional secrecy mean using secure communication channels. A secure cloud and email service enables lawyers lacking the knowledge or adequate computer support to easily comply with their ethical obligations,” says Antoine Aylwin, President, Technology Strategic Initiative Advisory Committee, Barreau du Québec.

“Three professional orders whose mission is to protect the public have joined forces to supply a critical mass of Quebec professionals with the tools they need to protect their clients’ fundamental right to information protection. Providing a solution adapted to Quebec’s needs and context gives notaries an opportunity to strengthen their position as trusted third parties,” says Jean-François Richard, Director of the Émergence digital transformation program for notarial practice (Chambre des notaires du Québec).

“The CPA profession’s transformation in the digital age brings its share of challenges. This is why one of our priorities is to support our members, especially sole practitioners or members working in small firms, to help them easily navigate the shift to digital. With this turnkey cloud service solution, our members can update their practices while fulfilling their professional obligations,” says Manon Durivage, FCPA, FCA, Executive Vice-President, Stewardship and Development of the Profession, Quebec CPA Order.

Technologies and Avancie awarded the contract
The consortium formed by Lafortune Technologies and Avancie will provide the cloud service solution to members of the Barreau du Québec, the Chambre des notaires du Québec and the Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec.

Le Barreau du Québec
The Barreau du Québec is a professional order of close to 27,000 lawyers. Its positions are adopted by its elected bodies following analyses and recommendations by its advisory committees. To ensure the protection of the public, the Barreau du Québec oversees the practice of the profession, promotes the rule of law, raises the profile of the profession and supports its members in the practice of law.

La Chambre des notaires du Québec
As a professional order of close to 4,000 notaries, the Chambre des notaires du Québec ensures the protection of the public by promoting the preventive practice of law, maintaining the quality of notarial practice and facilitating access to justice for all.

L’Ordre des CPA du Québec
The Ordre des comptables professionnels agréés du Québec has 39,000 members and 5,000 future CPAs, making it the third-largest professional order in Quebec. The Order ensures the protection of the public and the visibility of the profession. It represents all areas of expertise of the accounting profession, including assurance, financial accounting, management and management accounting, finance and taxation.

Information:

Quebec CPA Order
Jean-Louis Laplante, Manager, Public Affairs
514 288-3256, ext. 3024 | 1 800 363-4688
jllaplante@cpaquebec.ca

Barreau du Québec
Martine Meilleur, Communications Coordinator
Communications Department
514 954-3489 | 1 800 361-8491, poste 3489
medias@barreau.qc.ca

Chambre des notaires du Québec
Bolivar Nakhasenh, Communication and Public Relations Advisor
Communications and Client Relations
514-879-1793 | 1-800-263-1793, p. 5233
bolivar.nakhasenh@cnq.org