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What's New
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice says legal aid essential to fair justice system
Supreme Court of Canada Chief Justice Richard Wagner says legal aid is “essential” to ensuring the justice system is fair and efficient for all.
His remarks come as Ontario Premier Doug Ford is facing sharp criticism for slashing funding for legal aid by 30 per cent. This year’s provincial budget cut Legal Aid Ontario by $133 million and said the organization could no longer use provincial funds for refugee and immigration cases.
… he stressed the importance of governments adequately funding programs to ensure access to legal representation for the most vulnerable people. “I think legal aid is essential to the justice system, to make sure that the justice system is strong and fair,” he said. “It’s also a smart investment.””
Read the full article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/supreme-court-chief-justice-wagner-1.5182657
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Statement on Cuts to Community Legal Clinics
The Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario (ACLCO) condemns the cuts in community legal clinic services to the province’s poorest and most vulnerable people, flowing from the Ontario government’s spring budget. The April 11th provincial budget announced a 30% decrease in legal aid funding. Today, Legal Aid Ontario implemented the cuts to the clinic system.
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Cuts are a short-sighted misstep
Cuts are an unconscionable attack on the province’s most vulnerable.
“The recent decision of the Ford government to drastically cut Legal Aid Ontario’s funding is not only an unconscionable attack on the province’s most vulnerable, but even more reprehensible when it is considered that the Progressive Conservatives have used the cover of refugees and immigrants as a shield from any blowback.” (May 8, 2019, Manitoulin Expositor)
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Stop the Cuts: Access to Justice for All
The provincial government has cut funding to Legal Aid Ontario by 35%, which will result in a massive funding cut to Community Legal Clinics. This will directly impact front-line services and our ability to serve Ontario’s most vulnerable people.
You can make a difference – learn how here. #Justice4All
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2018 Annual Report on Community Legal Clinics
The ACLCO is pleased to share its Annual Report, “Together Making the Equal Rights Dream a Reality” showcasing the fine work done in our community legal clinics to advance access […]
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2019 Annual General Meeting & Conference
The ACLCO will be hosting its 22nd Annual General Meeting and Conference in Toronto on April 26-27, 2019. The 2019 AGM theme is Surviving and Thriving in Challenging Times, focusing on ensuring that clinics thrive as they defend the rights of their communities and ensure access to justice for the most disadvantaged.
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Submissions to the LSO
From time to time, the ACLCO assists clinics in exercising their collective voice by developing systemic positions. The Law Society of Ontario recently held consultations and called for submissions on […]
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2018 Annual General Meeting & Conference
The ACLCO held its 21st Annual AGM and Conference May 25-26 featuring two days of important board and staff training and ACLCO business focused on the theme of “Building on our Successes”.
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2017 Annual Report
The ACLCO is pleased to share its Annual Report, “Together Making the Equal Rights Dream a Reality” intended to showcase the fine work done in our community legal clinics for […]
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2017 Sydney B. Linden Award goes to Grace Plucino
Grace Pluchino, a community legal worker at the forefront of tenants’ rights for the past 30 years, is this year’s recipient of the Sidney B. Linden Award given by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) to honour exceptional individuals who help low-income Ontarians in the pursuit of access to justice.
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