Released on June 20, 2007
Provincial justice ministers united on Parliament Hill today to call on the federal government to increase federal funding for legal aid services, Ontario Attorney General Michael Bryant announced. A Liberal, Conservative and a NDP provincial justice minister made the tri-partisan case today for federal action.
"We are joining together to ask the federal government to pay its fair share as a partner in the justice system," said Bryant. "While legal aid is a shared responsibility between the federal government and the provinces and territories, the provinces continue to contribute a disproportionate amount toward their legal aid systems. The McGuinty government, for example, has increased provincial funding to Legal Aid Ontario significantly since taking office, paying four times as much as the federal government."
In October 2006, provincial and territorial justice ministers unanimously agreed that current federal contributions to legal aid were not enough. They once again asked the federal government to commit to critically needed increases for legal aid and for new funding for civil legal aid that would include family law and domestic violence cases.
While the provinces continue to increase funding to legal aid, the level of federal support has remained virtually unchanged since 2003/04. The last time the federal government was a 50/50 partner was 1990/91. The federal government, in its 2007 Budget, indicated that criminal legal aid funding would be maintained at current levels for the next five years.
"The Saskatchewan Legal Aid Commission also gets four times more funding from the province than from the federal government," said Saskatchewan Justice Minister Frank Quennell. "Not only has the federal government refused to recognize the current need for legal aid funding, they must recognize that their changes to Canada's criminal justice system are costly. They must be willing to invest to meet both the current and increased demands for legal aid."
"We're asking the federal government to step up to the plate," said Nova Scotia Minister of Justice Murray Scott. "The provinces strive to provide legal assistance for family law clients who are often women and children. But we can only do so much. We are asking the federal government to commit to funding for civil legal aid."
"Legal aid is fundamental in terms of access to our justice system and it greatly impacts the most vulnerable in our society," said Newfoundland and Labrador Minister of Justice Tom Osborne. "In Newfoundland and Labrador, the lack of sustained funding makes the process of building a legal aid delivery system that is capable of meeting the needs of our citizens difficult. And we, as a provincial government, are committed to providing equal access to family law related services to all citizens of our province."
"Without additional federal resources, provinces and territories are concerned about whether we can maintain current levels of civil legal aid service," said Québec Attorney General Jacques P. Dupuis. "We would like a federal commitment on legal aid funding now."
"Legal aid is an important part of ensuring access to justice for all Canadians," said Alberta Attorney General Ron Stevens. "Increased federal legal aid funding is necessary if the provinces and territories are to continue to enable that access for those in need."
"Family and civil legal aid services are being eroded because we have to address rising criminal legal aid demands on a flat-lined federal budget," said Manitoba Attorney General Dave Chomiak. "We must ensure access to justice for low-income Canadians who need and deserve legal aid services."
"The Canadian Bar Association believes that legal aid is the key to the courthouse door," said Canadian Bar Association President-elect Bernard Amyot. "For those without the economic means, that key is beyond their reach. All of us - regardless of means - must be assured of effective and equal access to the judicial system when our fundamental interests are at stake."
Legal aid protects constitutional and legal rights and ensures fair and equal treatment for people with low incomes facing criminal charges. The provinces and territories fund legal aid for parents with low incomes involved in child protection proceedings or seeking custody, access or financial support for themselves or their children.
"The provinces and territories are in critical need of new, dedicated and specific funding for civil legal aid," said Bryant. "Federal funding would mean more family law clients would get the legal services they deserve. The provinces and territories stand united in calling for increased federal funding for legal aid services."
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Contacts:
Greg Crone
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Minister's Office
(416) 326-1785
Brendan Crawley
Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General
Communications Branch
(416) 326-2210
Debi McEwen, ABC
Director
Communications & Public Education
Saskatchewan Justice
Saskatchewan Corrections and Public Safety
(306) 787-6043
Cathy MacIsaac
Communications Director
Department of Justice
Nova Scotia
(902) 424-3313
Melony O'Neill
Communications
Executive Council
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
(709) 729-0557
Philippe Archambault
Office of the Attorney General of Québec
(514) 402-4128
Heather Massel
Alberta Justice Communications
(780) 427-8530
David Leibl
Office of the Attorney General of Manitoba
(204) 945-1494