The legal aid system in British Columbia is in crisis. A decade of cuts to services and underfunding has made it impossible to keep up with the need for legal representation. Our court system is clogged to the point where people accused of serious crimes walk free because their cases can’t be heard in time.
Meanwhile, women, children and seniors in critical situations are unable to access legal representation when they need it, exposing them to more danger. Our most vulnerable citizens are the ones who need legal aid the most – and we can’t adequately provide it.
Something has to be done.
Legal Aid in BC is provided by the LSS. Financial and issue eligibility requirements for legal aid in BC change and are adjusted by the LSS in response to the funds available to them from time to time. For information on current eligibility requirements visit www.lss.bc.ca
Sharon Matthews, president of the CBABC, was in Kamloops on March 29th to support a motion in support of legal aid being brought before the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce. The resolution entitled “Go Long On Legal Aid Funding” was unanimously supported by the members of the Chamber.
Sharon Matthews, BC President of the Canadian Bar Association, in an interview with David Berner, argues that money must be spent now to clear over 2,000 backlogged cases awaiting their turn in court. At stake is the loss of dignity and higher costs for police, health, mental health and social services, not to mention justice [...]
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We Need Legal Aid - TV PromoWatch the TV promo for We Need Legal Aid. Share this video to get your friends interested in supporting the campaign. www.weneedlegalaid.com 239 views - Nov 7, 2011 |
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