OCASI sent a letter to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and Justice Minister David Lametti asking for urgent federal government action to provide financial support for community legal clinics.
Community Legal Clinics (CLCs) are funded by Legal Aid Ontario. On June 12, 2019 Legal Aid Ontario announced funding cuts that will result in a decrease to the clinic system budget of approximately $15 million, or 16%. Among those most affected are certain specialized legal clinics and Toronto neighbourhood clinics - clinics that engage in test case and law reform work.
OCASI wrote to Ministers Morneau and Lametti to express our deep concern that many low-income and disadvantaged Ontarians will lose access to justice as a result of the cuts.
Please follow this link for the OCASI letter to Minister Morneau and Minister Lametti [PDF]
Follow this link for the OCASI letter in Word format.
For more information on the cuts, follow the links below for statements from the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario (ACLCO) and from affected Community Legal Clinics:
Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario
Parkdale Community Legal Services
Income Security Advocacy Centre
Canadian Environmental Law Association
Advocacy Centre for Tenants Ontario
Injured Workers Community Legal Clinic