2026 Bencher Election — Introducing Yue (Roger) Song

Principled regulation.
Independent judgment.

I respectfully ask for your support in the 2026 Law Society of Alberta Bencher election.

Who am I?

We all value the Rule of Law—but my commitment to it is forged in a personal reality few others have known. In my full bio, you will read how my early life under Chinese Communist rule gave me a firsthand, terrifying view of what society looks like when the Rule of Law disappears. I know what it means to live without the freedoms we take for granted in Alberta, and that experience makes me a relentless defender of our profession, our judiciary, and our liberties.

Beyond this lived perspective, I bring a global academic foundation and a deep commitment to our local bar. I hold four law degrees—spanning Chinese, American, and Canadian legal systems—and have successfully practiced law here in Alberta for 12 years. Fluent in Mandarin and English and guided by my Christian faith, I will bring unyielding ethics, humility, and passion to the Table as your Bencher.

Why vote for me?

I don’t just talk about the rule of law—I have put my convictions into action to defend it.

When the Law Society imposed compulsory cultural competence training, I took a stand. I challenged that requirement through judicial review, contending that mandatory ideological training undermines the rule of law and the fundamental independence of the bar.

That principle defines who I am. My life experience, conviction and independent judgement shape my understanding of the public interest and the importance of protecting our profession from regulatory overreach. As a practising lawyer, I also understand how regulatory costs and unnecessary administrative requirements can make it harder for lawyers to serve their clients.

My journey has been anything but ordinary. Please read further to understand the experiences behind my convictions and the perspective I offer as a candidate for Bencher.

Voting: November 10–17, 2026 · Closes at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time on November 17. How to vote

A focused regulatory mandate

Four principles for professional self-regulation

These principles describe the perspective I would bring to the governing table. They are not commitments to any predetermined decision or outcome.

Protection of Canada’s constitutional foundation under the supremacy of God

“Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:35–40

Rule of law

The Law Society should exercise its authority carefully, transparently, and proportionately, within the Legal Profession Act and under the rule of law.

“The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King. He will save us.” Isaiah 33:22

An independent bar

Independent self-regulation carries a duty to preserve the independence, integrity and ethical character of Alberta’s legal profession.

“Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.” Proverbs 31:9 (KJV)

“…ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s…” Deuteronomy 1:17 (KJV)

Regulatory focus and freedom of conscience

The Law Society’s regulatory work should remain focused on professional competence and ethics, rather than advancing political or ideological agendas.

Lawyers should be treated equally regardless of race or political, philosophical, cultural or religious beliefs. Dissent from trending viewpoints should not itself become a matter of professional regulation.

Practical regulation

Affordable fees and disciplined spending

I understand, firsthand, the practical and financial pressures experienced by sole practitioners and small firms. The affordability of annual fees deserves scrutiny, alongside the Law Society’s regulatory responsibilities and financial requirements.

I value disciplined spending, transparent budgets, and regulatory requirements justified by demonstrated professional needs. Unnecessary costs can limit lawyers’ ability to serve clients and impair access to justice.

A primary-source explanation

Why I Sought Judicial Review of Law Society Rules and Programs

I challenged the Law Society’s imposition of mandatory cultural competence training, including the course known as “The Path,” in addition to professional training. My application for judicial review asked whether the Law Society, as a statutory regulator, had acted within the authority granted to it by the Legal Profession Act and consistently with the rule of law, the independence of the bar, and the freedoms protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

The proceeding was not an invitation for the Court to decide which political or ideological views are preferable. It asked whether the Law Society remained within its lawful mandate when adopting and enforcing the measures challenged in the application, including its mandatory cultural competence training requirements, and whether the chambers judge applied the correct legal principles in reviewing those issues.

The application was dismissed by Justice S.L. Kachur on September 12, 2025. My appeal is now before the Court of Appeal of Alberta. The filed factum sets out the appellant’s position concerning justiciability, the exclusion of evidence, the interpretation of administrative-law principles, and Charter principles. The Court has not yet decided the appeal.

Latest coverage of my appeal

The Epoch Times published an update on October 7, 2026, by Jason G. Antonio, covering my October 2 filed factum and my request for a new hearing before a different judge. The report outlines my arguments about the Law Society’s statutory mandate, lawyers’ independence, excluded evidence and Charter freedoms.

My appeal hearing at the Court of Appeal of Alberta is scheduled for May 12, 2027. The appeal remains pending.

Read the latest appeal update at The Epoch Times

What has changed since the application

Alberta’s Regulated Professions Neutrality Act and related amendments to the Legal Profession Act came into force for the Law Society on September 1, 2026. In its July 9, 2026 letter, the Law Society’s President announced changes in response to this legislation:

From September 1, The Path ceased to be mandatory for new lawyers joining the Law Society and lawyers transferring from other jurisdictions.
The Professional Development Profile, which guides annual continuing professional development plans, was updated to remove the domains covering cultural competence and equity, diversity and inclusion, and truth and reconciliation.
The Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee was not re-established for the 2026–27 committee year.

I welcome these changes as consistent with my position that the Law Society should focus on professional competence and ethics and respect freedom of conscience. These legislative and regulatory developments provide important context for members considering why I sought judicial review; they do not constitute a court ruling on my application or appeal.

Read the President’s July 9, 2026 letter (PDF)

Filed court document

Factum of the Appellant

Filed: October 2, 2026
Court: Court of Appeal of Alberta
File: 2501-0282AC

Read the filed factum (PDF)

Download the filed factum (PDF, 16 MB)

The PDF opens in a new browser tab. If it does not display, use the download link.

This filed document is provided so members may read the appellant’s position in its original form.

Companion filed court document

Extracts of Key Evidence of the Appellant

Filed October 2, 2026, in Court of Appeal of Alberta file 2501-0282AC. Read these extracts alongside the factum to review the affidavits, exhibits and portions of the certified record assembled for the appeal.

The filed document is provided in two parts to meet the website’s file-size limit. Together they contain all 505 pages, retaining the original page numbering.

Read evidence extracts — Part 1

Download Part 1 (PDF · pages 1–250)

Read evidence extracts — Part 2

Download Part 2 (PDF · pages 251–505)

Each PDF opens in a new browser tab. If it does not display, use the download link.

Professional experience

Local practice. International perspective.

I am a sole practitioner in Calgary practising in the areas of commercial and oil and gas transactions, corporate law, civil and commercial litigation, administrative and constitutional law, and employment law.

My background has given me direct experience with the pressures faced by individuals, small businesses, community organizations, corporations and lawyers practising in smaller settings.

JD: University of Calgary
LL.M.: New York University
LL.B. & LL.M.: Peking University
2014: Called to the Alberta Bar
1996: Passed the New York State bar examination

Constitutional engagement

Conference for the Dominion of Canada

As Executive Director of the Council of Alberta Lawyers, I helped host the Conference for the Dominion of Canada in Calgary on May 16, 2026. The keynote address was delivered by the Honourable A. Brian Peckford, former Premier of Newfoundland and the last surviving premier who signed the November 1981 Constitutional Accord leading to the patriation of Canada’s Constitution and the Constitution Act, 1982.

May 18, 2026Read “What Happened to God?” at The Epoch Times May 16, 2026Watch the Conference for the Dominion of Canada on YouTube

Faith, freedom and service

Respect for conscience and principled disagreement

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms affirms that Canada is founded upon principles that recognize the supremacy of God and the rule of law. As a Christian, I am guided by Jesus Christ’s commandments to love God and to love my neighbour as myself. They call me to serve others with humility, fairness, and respect, including those whose beliefs differ from my own.

I would examine the evidence, listen carefully to competing perspectives and exercise independent judgment in accordance with the law.

February 7, 2026Read “The God Referenced in Our Charter: How the Supreme Court Got It Wrong in 1985 Ruling” December 9, 2025Read “Do Principles That Recognize the Supremacy of God Matter in Our Society?” April 16, 2024Watch my interview on Christian faith

PERSONAL PERSPECTIVES

Statements of Support

Personal perspectives from people who support my candidacy for Bencher.

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ADD YOUR VOICE

Submit an endorsement

Share why you support my candidacy. All submissions are reviewed before publication. Please speak in your personal capacity and focus on my background, experience or record.

October 21–November 3, 2026

Meet Roger on Zoom

Monday to Friday, 5:00–6:00 p.m. Mountain Time

Roger welcomes the opportunity to meet with Law Society of Alberta members during the election period. He will answer your questions and listen to your views on how the Law Society can improve its work.

As a practising Christian, Roger would also be glad to pray for you and your family, if you wish, in accordance with your prayer request.

No appointment is required. However, a brief email indicating your preferred date and the questions you wish to raise would be appreciated.

Join Zoom meeting

Email: roger.song@songhowardlaw.com
Meeting ID: 930 1304 7415
Passcode: 599700

November 10–17, 2026

Where and when can you vote?

Vote online through eBallot, using the link and credentials emailed to eligible Alberta lawyers. Voting opens November 10, 2026, and closes November 17 at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time. Please select Yue (Roger) Song on your ballot.

Bencher election 2026

Humility. Fairness. Courage.
Principled judgment.

I respectfully offer my name for consideration by Alberta lawyers in the 2026 Bencher election.