Page 13 - CCCA 259155 Magazine_Winter 2016

{ PROFILE }

ARY ELLEN BENCH’S days typically all the legal work for the city of Etobi-
begin and end with idyllic strolls coke. Then it was on to Peel Region for 10
Malong stretches of Lake Ontario’s months, the City of Toronto for 10 years
shoreline. Accompanied by her three- and fnally Mississauga.
year-old Beagle, it’s often memorable for Her outside involvement has extended
a spectacular sunrise; spotting a wary fox; to disability and women’s groups and the
or Brandy, being Brandy, fushing a gaggle CCCA. She is Secretary for the Western
of disgruntled geese. Ontario Division of Canoe/Kayak Canada,
The walks bookend her fast-paced and and on the steering committee that will
pleasingly unpredictable days as City So- host the 2017 Canadian championships
licitor at the City of Mississauga. They pro- and 1,400 athletes in Welland, Ontario.
vide quiet time to refect on a work issue; A former commodore of the Mississau-
re-play a weekend regatta, where Bench, a ga Canoe Club, Bench’s participation began
Level 4 national offcial, has volunteered; with her son Mathieu, now a part-time col-
or simply savour her good fortune. lege student pursuing a dream of becoming
“I’m very lucky where I’ve landed,” a world-level athlete in sprint kayak. Her
May 2001] I’d say I’m living the dream “ The answer has to college, studying golf course management.
other son, Jean-Marc, is in his fnal year of
Bench says. “I have two great kids, a great
dog … and my job—it’s fantastic every
day. From when I took the position [in
“I’m not a good athlete but I am a good
offciating, especially kids’ regattas. “You
where I hoped it would be.” be: ‘How can we administrator,” says Bench, who relishes
get you as close to
Today, the 48-person legal department should see their eyes the frst time out on
includes 17 lawyers and is an integral part where you want to the water and not tipping. Or seeing their
of the city’s business team. It’s no longer be?’ We have to coach being dumped in the water. They
the small, underworked group that was think it’s hilarious! It’s wonderful seeing
viewed as a roadblock when she started. always be seen as their energy.”
Working with administration, Bench’s Bench, too, possesses youthful vigour
focus was to eliminate the team’s police- part of the solution. and enthusiasm. In October 2016, she be-
type function. That way people came President of the U.S.-based Interna-
“It took a few years to accomplish … tional Municipal Lawyers Association. The
and I have been very clear with all of my come to Legal. ” non-proft organization has approximately
staff that I never, ever want to hear them 2,500 members (about 10% Canadian),
say no. The answer has to be: ‘How can we acts as a legal education source and does
get you as close to where you want to be?’ legal advocacy work (mostly in the U.S.).
We have to always be seen as part of the tor” and highlighted her subject matter In April, she will co-chair the CCCA
solution. That way people come to Legal.” expertise in “government accountability National Conference, one of her favourite
The team originally was made up of and private-public partnerships.” get-togethers. Bench has a group of peers
generalists—whoever had capacity took the Bench never imagined such a career. who have gathered at previous confer-
next fle. Now, as Bench brings more work She grew up in Niagara Falls, the oldest ences, people discussing issues they can’t
in-house, she seeks out specialists in areas of six children in a single-parent family. bounce off family and friends because
like planning, tax and assessment, environ- “A little bit bossy,” she was responsible for they don’t understand the pressures chief
ment and procurement. It adds knowledge household chores and was waitressing by legal offcers face.
and value, being able to answer questions age 13. School was neither diffcult nor a “We call them our therapy sessions,”
and quickly turn around matters. priority. “I skipped a lot of classes.” she laughs. They are a network she can fall
A multiple award winner, her skill set At 19, she left home for good, earned a back on. They are another group, like the
has also evolved. During a ceremony hon- BA in Political Science and Urban Stud- boys and Brandy, who help make each day
ouring Bench as the winner of the Tom ies at York University and her law degree one to remember. ❚
Marshall Award in 2015, the Ontario Bar from Osgoode Hall in 1984. An interest in
Association cited her “signifcant and re- public service soon surfaced. After gradu-
markable contributions to the public sec- ation, Bench joined a small frm that did Michael Dempster is a writer based in Calgary.

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