Prominent Saskatoon lawyer honored for 5 decades of work

SASKATOON – Joseph Dierker supposedly retired seven years ago but after only a few months off, he couldn’t stay away.

“I love it. I love it. I love reading, the occasional golf, mostly enjoy the work,” said Joseph Dierker, Credit Union Canadian Central Hall of Fame Award Recipient.

Dierker joined the law firm of McDougall Gauley in 1960. Over the years he’s been involved with building the legislative frame work for Credit Unions to operate in Canada and internationally, and has watched it grow substantially.

Known by colleagues as the “Godfather” of the Credit Union System, Dierker was awarded the Credit Union Central of Canada Hall of Fame Award on July 16th in Ottawa. He was presented the award in front of 2,600 people representing 76 countries.

“It’s a very humbling award in many ways because it represents the years that I’ve worked, the 50 some years, more importantly it’s a representation of the opportunity I’ve had to work with the leaders of the Credit Union System for these years,” said Dierker.

Over the course of 53 years, one moment that stands out to Dierker is when Credit Unions were permitted to participate directly in the Canadian Payments Association, allowing Credit Unions to carry full financial services. He’s enjoyed every moment of the journey.

While Dierker continues to work on amendments to the National Payment System under The Bank Act, before he decides to leave his practice for good, he hopes to see Credit Union’s work together on a national level.