Mediate BC Society was formed in 2010 through the merger of two separate not-for-profit societies – the Dispute Resolution Innovation Society (previously the BC Dispute Resolution Practicum Society) (the “Innovation Society”) and the BC Mediator Roster Society (the “Roster Society”). These organizations shared a public interest vision: to ensure excellent dispute resolution for British Columbians through a commitment to ensuring access to qualified and ethical professionals.
The Innovation Society was founded in June 1998 by a collaborative of organizations* interested in ensuring excellent skills and practice development for trained but inexperienced mediators. The Society’s first project was the development and management of the Provincial Court Mediation Practicum which provided mentored mediations for over 1000 mediators before its closure in 2016. The Office of the Chief Judge of the Provincial Court has appointed a judicial member to Mediate BC’s Board of Directors since that time.
The Roster Society was formed in June 1998, and similarly was created through collaboration among the Ministry of Attorney General (Dispute Resolution Office) (“DRO”) and organizations interested in protection of the public. Although mediation was becoming more popular at this time, no other body was in place to regulate the emerging profession. At the same time, the DRO was instituting Notice to Mediate (NTM) regulation. Given the confidential nature of the mediation process, the DRO was concerned that there was no way to ensure that vulnerable parties were not subject to coercion and harm. Likewise, there was no accessible list of experienced mediators accessible to the public. It was in response to these concerns that the Roster Society was created.
Mediate BC and its predecessors have evolved over the years to play an integral role in the justice sector of British Columbia. Our history is rooted in a commitment to serving the public through innovation and quality of dispute resolution. We have achieved this through 1) continuing training and practicum development, 2) maintenance of high standards for admission to and continuation in our rosters, 3) public education and outreach efforts to raise awareness of collaborative decision-making processes, and 4) participation in justice sector planning and advocacy for collaborative process design. At our core is a belief in the power to resolve conflict through self-determination, empowerment and collaboration.
*Organizations involved in founding of the Practicum Society were the Justice Institute of British Columbia, Continuing Legal Education Society of BC, Ministry of Attorney General (Dispute Resolution Office), Provincial Court of British Columbia (Office of the Chief Judge), BC Arbitration and Mediation Institute (now ADRBC), the Canadian Bar Association, the Mediation Development Association of BC, the Surrey-White Rock Mediation Centre and the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia.
Mediate BC serves communities across the lands of many Indigenous peoples, unceded, unsurrendered, and treaty. We are committed to advancing Indigenous sovereignty, inherent rights and self-determination. In order to do this, we commit to deepening our understanding of the histories and cultures of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing effects of colonization. Further, we commit to developing meaningful dialogue and relationships founded on respect.
