Hilde Deprez graduated as Master of Laws from the University of Leuven, Belgium and started her Notary Public office in March 2002 after several years of working in a legal environment. This interview with Hilde appeared in the magazine of the Society of Notaries Public of BC:

From The Scrivener Volume 10 No. 3 October 2001


The Scrivener: Hilde, where were you born and raised?

Hilde: In a small village in the South Western part of Flanders, close to the French border. As you may know, Belgium is a very small country in the heart of Western Europe. Vancouver Island is three times the size of Belgium!

Our immediate neighbours are France, The Netherlands, Germany, and Luxemburg. Only the North Sea and a ferry ride separate Belgium from England.

Belgium has three official languages, thus creating three language borders within the country: the northern part, “Flanders,” where Flemish is spoken; the southern part, “Wallonie,” where French is the mother tongue; and a small part in the East where German is spoken. Brussels, the capital, is officially bi-lingual: French and Flemish.

Belgium is known for its lace, Belgian waffles, Belgian beer, and of course Belgian chocolates. Because of its geographically central location within Europe, Belgium has also been occupied throughout history. World War I and II are sad recent examples. Most Canadians recognize the name “Flanders Fields.”


The Scrivener: As a youngster, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Hilde: Because of the profession of my father, we grew up with a very strong sense of responsibility toward others and our community. I knew early on that I would choose a profession where I could be of help and service to people.

Along the way, I decided to study law as my father had. I graduated as a Master of Laws at the University of Leuven, Belgium, and articled at a law firm; I worked for several years with a legal aid program, the equivalent of a lawyer referral system.

Then in October of 1996, my husband and I emigrated to Canada. Even though I cannot practise law in Canada with my civil law degree, I wanted to continue to work within the legal field.

I was fortunate to find a job as a legal assistant for a sole practitioner. In the office, I dealt with people all the time, over the phone and in person.

The more experienced I became, the more I wanted to be able to do this work on my own. I decided to file my application for the Notary Public Preparatory Course.


The Scrivener: What events and people helped shape you into the person you are today? Did you have a mentor?

Hilde: This is a difficult question. We are who we are today because of what we have lived and experienced, every single day along our journey. Sometimes a brief encounter with a stranger can “shape” you just as much as the people who have been part of your life since Day One.

I would not be who I am today, however, if it weren’t for my parents, my family, close friends, and above all, my husband Filip.


The Scrivener: What does being a Notary Public mean to you? What part of your avocation do you like best?

Hilde: It feels great to finally be able to give something back to this society and the community that has given me so much over the past years.

Because I have only recently received my commission as a Notary Public, and do not have an office at this moment, I cannot say what it means to me to be a Notary Public in reality, or which part of my avocation I like the best. The future will tell.

A Notary works within a community for a community, which is all I ever wanted to do. The profession will allow me to render service to people and my community.

Passing my exams and receiving my commission was a historical day in my life. It is the icing on our emigration to this country. I am proud to live in Canada, in this beautiful province, in this multicultural city.


The Scrivener: Please describe a typical day/week in your busy life.

Hilde: During the past two years, it felt like I did not have enough hours in a day. It was challenging to work full-time as a legal assistant in a busy practice--and combine that with the demanding Notary Preparatory Course, a busy social calendar, and a family life--but I made it.

Now, along with the other grads, I am on to the next challenge: starting in a new profession!


The Scrivener: What are your hobbies and favourite leisure activities?

Hilde: Cooking is definitely on the top of the list. The kitchen is the central place in our home. We love to sit around the table with friends and family, and share food and conversation.

I am also Secretary of the Belgian-Canadian Association of BC. As in any other organization, this means committee meetings, organization of events, and volunteer work. I love to travel and go for long hikes, and of course I enjoy my daily swim.


The Scrivener: How do you maintain balance between your career and the other things in your life that are important?

Hilde: I think there are two keys: loving what you do and being supported by the people that are important in your life. If you have those, you can do anything!


The Scrivener: What do you see ahead for the profession of the Notary Public in BC?

Hilde: Despite the advanced technologies, I think that we live in an increasingly complex world that, at the same time, has become more and more impersonal.

In this age of multimedia, the answer to whatever question you can think of is only a click away. The Internet is an information highway; the Notary Public must incorporate that road into his or her practice.

And because Notaries Public are visually present in their communities, they provide that invaluable extra: the personal touch--not intimidating but conveniently close by, and always there when needed. It’s a perfect combination of personal service supported by the practical conveniences of the new technologies.


The Scrivener: What do you value most in life?

Hilde: The relationships with the people who are important in my life: my husband, my family, and my friends. Good health, too, because it’s so true that if you are healthy, you have a thousand wishes, but if you are sick, you only have one wish. No amount of money can buy love, happiness, or health.

The only thing that really matters in the end is whether we were happy, and whether we have contributed to the happiness of others.