Cuts to Legal Aid threaten the ability to obtain effective legal assistance

BY BRITTNEY CHANNER

Hey Everyone!

I hope everyone had an amazing long weekend spending time with family and friends. Every now and then, a break is necessary in order to refuel for the upcoming week and to ensure productivity. Regardless of how you spent the long weekend, I hope it gave you the energy needed to tackle whatever goals you may have on the agenda. For this week’s entry, I wanted to focus on the funding cuts that the Ford government imposed towards Legal Aid Ontario and how the cuts will affect the many clients who rely on its services for proper legal representation.

I must admit, when I first was made aware of these cuts, I had to take some time to really reflect and remove all emotion from the situation especially since I willingly take the time to immerse myself into the legal community and the issues that surround it. In addition, I take time to educate myself on the needs of the community and know for a fact that legal assistance is already an area of concern when it comes to obtaining affordable and effective legal help. Nevertheless, the cuts made towards Legal Aid in Ontario have prompted criticisms from lawyers and others within the legal profession.

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is a publically funded non-profit corporation that is responsible for overseeing the legal aid program in Ontario. It provides legal aid services to low-income individuals within the province through legal education, legal advice, community legal clinics, and legal representation.

Established in 1998, this organization provides assistance with domestic violence, family law, poverty law issues, child custody, and refugee and immigration hearings. In addition, Legal Aid Ontario provides services in criminal cases where it’s probable that the accused may go to jail.

Regrettably, it was determined in April that the much-needed funding given to Legal Aid Ontario would be cut by 30% which means that it will receive 133 million dollars less than the projected 456 million dollars. On top of that, funding that is directed towards refugee and immigration law services would also be eliminated therefore leaving many individuals of immigrant and refugee status vulnerable.

It has been determined that these cuts can negatively affect many people in a number of ways. First, these cuts to legal aid limit one’s access to justice by preventing people from being able to either fight for custody of their children or have access to their children. Many people who rely on Legal Aid Ontario, do not have the financial ability to pay top dollar for a lawyer and rely on the services provided by Legal Aid Ontario to govern their way through an already complex legal system.

As for refugees, their future may not be as bright, since the cuts towards legal aid will greatly affect their already lengthy claims for status due to fear of suffering or oppression from their country of origin. For many refugees, legal aid is their only way for them to legally maneuver through the justice system while maintaining hope that their claims for status are approved. Throughout the years, Canada has prided itself on being a cultural mosaic where immigrants/refugees are able to flourish therefore making the country stronger as a whole. However, the recent cuts will act as another roadblock preventing them from participating in the Canadian dream they aspire towards.

Additionally, the cuts to legal aid also mean that a large number of people will be exploring the option of self-representation. “Self-represented litigants”, as it is sometimes called, are individuals who go to court without a lawyer and although this may seem like an ideal situation, more self-represented people who go to court can potentially slow down how justice is administered.

Although these cuts have made many people nervous within recent weeks, Doug Ford has guaranteed that anyone who needs legal aid will have access to it. Even with Ford’s undertaking, many of those within the legal community are not quick to rely on his words as he has recently been quick to cut a number of other important programs such as the Tuition Free Grant Program that enabled students of low-income status to attend college and or university.

Nevertheless, as of right now, it is difficult to say where these cuts may lead Ontario and its citizens that depend on it, and it’s even more difficult for me to offer a solution to a problematic cause. However, what I can offer you is this; June 2^nd, 2022 the next premier election. Let your voice be heard!