Ontario paralegals must complete 12 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) each year to stay compliant with the Law Society of Ontario (LSO). Within those hours, there’s one requirement that often raises the most questions:
At least 1 hour must focus on Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
But what exactly counts as an EDI hour? And how can paralegals be sure they’re meeting this specific requirement before the December 31 deadline?
This post breaks it down.
👉 Ready to earn your hours? See our Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses.
Why EDI Hours Matter
EDI programming was introduced by the LSO in 2018. Its purpose is to ensure that paralegals, lawyers, and other licensees actively learn about and address:
- Systemic discrimination in the justice system
- Barriers to access to justice faced by diverse communities
- Unconscious bias in legal practice
- Inclusive client communication and representation
The LSO considers EDI education essential to maintaining a profession that is equitable, fair, and accessible. That’s why at least 1 EDI hour is mandatory each year — not optional.
What Counts as an EDI Hour?
An EDI hour must be accredited by the LSO and focus on topics such as:
- Cultural competency in client representation
- Understanding and addressing systemic barriers in law
- Anti-discrimination training in the workplace
- Building inclusive practices within legal services
- Access to justice issues in marginalized communities
For example, a course about “Conflicts of Interest” wouldn’t qualify as EDI — it’s Professionalism. A course about unconscious bias when advising clients would qualify, because it specifically addresses equality, diversity, and inclusion.
The EDI Requirement in Context
Your CPD breakdown looks like this:
- 12 hours total per year
- 3 Professionalism hours (must be accredited)
- Within those, 1 must be EDI
- Up to 9 Substantive hours
⚠️ Important: If you skip your EDI hour, your Professionalism requirement will be incomplete — even if you’ve done 3 other Professionalism hours.
LPEN’s EDI-Accredited Courses
At LPEN, we make it simple by clearly identifying which courses include EDI credit. That way, you never have to guess.
💡 Examples of our EDI-accredited programs include:
- Implicit Bias Plus –An expanded exploration of implicit bias, its impact on legal practice, and strategies for fostering equitable client interactions. (counts for 1 EDI hour)
- Human Rights in the Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) – Master the intersection of human rights and landlord-tenant law, from advocacy to ethics, at the LTB. (includes 30 minutes of EDI)
When you register, you’ll see the CPD breakdown for each program — Substantive, Professionalism, and EDI hours are all listed.
Tips for Completing EDI Hours
- Don’t leave it until December: EDI courses fill quickly.
- Check accreditation: Only programs marked as EDI-accredited by the LSO count.
- Track your hours: Use the LSO portal as you go — don’t wait until reporting season.
- Bundle with Professionalism: Many courses give you both Professionalism and EDI credit in one.
Final Takeaway
Every Ontario paralegal must complete at least 1 EDI hour each year as part of the Professionalism requirement. These courses focus on equality, diversity, and inclusion in practice — and they must be LSO-accredited.
By choosing accredited providers like LPEN, you can check off your EDI requirement with confidence while also earning Substantive and Professionalism hours.
👉 Don’t risk missing the deadline. Browse our Ontario Paralegal CPD Courses today and secure your EDI credit before December 31.
