Montreal, February 21, 2020 - The Coalition pour l'accès à l'aide juridique is asking the government for a massive and immediate reinvestment in legal aid in addition to an expansion of the service offer to ensure real access to justice.
As lawyers' representatives and the Opposition have made clear in recent days, the issue of fees for legal aid services offered by private practice is hampering access for the most vulnerable to a lawyer of their choice.
"These people need lawyers who will agree to represent them. There are places in Quebec where there are no lawyers to take on housing or immigration cases on private legal aid mandates," laments Me Claude-Catherine Lemoine, coordinator of Community Legal Services in Pointe-Saint-Charles and Little Burgundy.
However, pricing is not the only legal aid accessibility issue. The Coalition reiterates that there must be other urgent improvements to our legal aid system, such as an expansion of the services offered.
"Too many legal services essential to the security of the most disadvantaged are excluded or subject to the discretion of legal aid offices. For example, damages and contract cancellation cases are not services covered by legal aid, except in defense," deplores Elise Thériault, lawyer and budget and legal advisor at Option consommateurs.
Access to justice is a fundamental right in all matters. It is a pillar of access to justice in Quebec, and deserves swift, concrete action from the government. It's a question of social justice.
About the Coalition for Access to Legal Aid
The Coalition pour l'accès à l'aide juridique was formed in 2007 at the initiative of community and union groups. The Coalition has nearly 50 members (associations, community groups, unions, legal professionals) who believe that significant changes are needed in terms of eligibility for legal aid, from the perspective of access to justice.
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For more information or an interview:
Marie-Ève Dumont, Communications Consultant
514-777-6133
