8.0 Jurisdictional Matrices
On this page…
- 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia
- 2. Jurisdiction: Alberta
- 3. Jurisdiction: Saskatchewan
- 4. Jurisdiction: Manitoba
- 5. Jurisdiction: Ontario
- 6. Jurisdiction: Quebec
- 7. Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
- 8. Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
- 9. Jurisdiction: Prince Edward Island
- 10. Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
- 11. Jurisdiction: Yukon
- 12. Jurisdiction: Northwest Territories
- 13. Jurisdiction: Nunavut
1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Law Foundation of British Columbia (LFBC) |
Family law | -26 advocacy programsFootnote 1 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia related to family matters.-Provided through community service or community resource organizations, Elizabeth Fry Societies, Native Friendship centres, career service centres.-Regarding guardianship and parenting time, parental responsibilities, assistance with separation agreements, child support, spousal support, divorce, protection orders, mobility/relocation, child protection, Family Maintenance Enforcement Program (FMEP), property, debts up to 20K, matrimonial property on reserve. | -free legal information, advocacy, and assistance to individuals | -usually a board of directors of the overall service in which the justice service is located | in-person, telephone, email |
Civil: Poverty law | -42 advocacy programsFootnote 1 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia-Provided through community service or community resource organizations, Elizabeth Fry Societies, Native Friendship centres, unemployment centres, women’s groups, career services.-Regarding income assistance, disability benefits, housing, Indigenous law issues, credit/debt, employment and other low-income issues. | -free legal information, advocacy, representation to eligible users | in-person, telephone, email | ||
Specialized: legal advocacy | -20 advocacy programsFootnote 1 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia-On specific areas of law or for particular populations (e.g., farmworkers, women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, persons with disabilities or mental health issues, live-in caregivers, low income immigrants, seniors, prisoners).-Three other clinics with more substantial funding: one serves children and youth, one serves seniors, and one provides poverty law representation services with more substantial support (e.g., judicial review cases).-Usually serve the immediate community, but others serve the province and/or have an information line. | -free legal information, advocacy, and assistance to individuals | in-person, telephone, email | ||
Law Foundation of British Columbia (LFBC) |
Varied: Clinics serving the entire province | -Seven clinicsFootnote 1 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia-Each has a lawyer and legal assistant to supplement services in existing advocacy clinics to handle more complex matters that non-lawyer advocates cannot handle. Although based in an existing community clinic, they serve the entire province.-Matters covered include immigration/refugees, housing, poverty law, and a large range of other civil issues. | -information, advice, representation, (depending on income) | -see notesFootnote 2 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia | |
Varied: Student clinics | -Five student clinics at B.C. universities (or student clinics in the city or legal centers)* These include: Greater Vancouver Law Students Legal Advice Society (University of British Columbia (UBC)), Indigenous Community Legal Clinic (UBC), University of Victoria, Thompsons Rivers University (Kamloops), Rise Women’s Legal Centre (Vancouver).-Specific areas of law include criminal (only summary offences where the Crown is not seeking jail time); Civil Resolution (must be a civil claim under $5,000), Small Claims (must be a civil claim under $35,000; Employment Standards; Residential Tenancy; Workers’ Compensation Board; Consumer Protection; Employment Insurance; CPP and Old-Age Pension; Wills and Estates; and Immigration and Refugee.-Representation on a case-by-case basis is offered in such hearings as: Small Claims Court; Criminal Court; Welfare Appeals; Residential Tenancy Branch Arbitrations; Employment Standards Board; and Immigration and Refugee Hearings.-Certain types of legal documents may be drafted, including: Demand Letters; Wills (if total value of estate is under $25,000); Powers of Attorney; Representation Agreements and Advanced Directives; and Notice of Claims and Replies.-Current policy is to provide at least summary legal advice to all clients where possible. | -legal information, advocacy and assistance. | -one has a general support line and a virtual legal clinic.-virtual clinic preceded COVID-19-as of March 2021, Greater Vancouver Law Students Legal Advice Society clinics will be run remotely until May 2021. Drop-in clinics are suspended for the year. | ||
Access Pro Bono (APB) (receives primary funding from LFBC. Other significant sources include B.C. Gaming Grants, and Law Society of B.C.) | Varied: Pro Bono summary advice program | -114 clinics throughout British Columbia.-Clinic appointments arranged by email or telephone; eligibility based on household income. Two-hour clinics are held periodically in social agencies, usually during the day, but some in the evenings depending on volunteer lawyers’ availability.-Full range of legal issues: family, immigration, criminal, civil law. | -up to 30 minutes of free legal advice | -clinic appointments arranged by email or telephone | |
Civil: Civil chambers | -One clinic, twice per week.-Free legal assistance and representation to low- and modest-income individuals who are appearing in civil (non-family) chambers matters before the Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal in Vancouver. Client referrals are through APB office and the Summary Advice Program (see preceding entry). | -summary advice and representation | -in person at court house, phone or email for appointment | ||
Civil: Wills clinic | -One clinic.-Engages volunteer lawyers to advise low and modest-income people over age of 55, and people with a terminal illness, about their personal estate matters. Help executing will, representation agreements and enduring Powers of Attorney. | -advice and drafting of documents | -clinic reopened in August 2020 to serve clients | ||
Community Legal Assistance Society (CLAS) (funding: LFBC, Legal Aid BC, BC AG Min, Justice Canada, Vancouver | Civil | -Community Law Program provides legal assistance to low-income people across B.C. in the areas of housing security, income security, human rights, mental health rights, and workers’ rights. | -may include summary legal advice, guidance to help with self-representation, and full representation | -board of directors is a mix of lawyers, community representatives, and a law student | -in person and by phone, email-CLAS closed to the public effective March 18; will depend on school and other closures; during this time CLAS staff working remotely on public health advisories |
-BC Human Rights Clinic: a weekly short service clinic that provides human rights information and advice. -Representation is provided to complainants who have cases before the BC Human Rights Tribunal. |
-information, advice and some representation-free, half-hour sessions | ||||
-One clinic (Sharp Workplaces Program legal advice clinic). -For anyone who has experienced, or is experiencing, sexual harassment in the workplace in British Columbia. |
-up to 5 hours confidential legal advice by lawyer (free)- e.g., drafting documents, negotiating settlements,guidance in navigating legal processes, and referrals | ||||
British Columbia Ministry of Attorney General | Family and civil | -Five justice access centres (JACs)Footnote 3 of 1. Jurisdiction: British Columbia-Primary issues include separation or divorce, income security, employment, housing and debt. | -self-help and information services-dispute resolution and mediation-limited legal advice | -JACs funded by provincial government. Unlike many LFBC-funded programs, there is no overarching community structure. Services are co-located. | -in-person services are not being offered at JACs until further notice. Staff will continue to provide a full range of services by telephone and videoconferencing |
2. Jurisdiction: Alberta
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Alberta Law Foundation (from 2019-20 Annual report) |
Varied | -18 clinic-type programsFootnote 1 of 2. Jurisdiction: Alberta covering diverse matters, including family (including divorce in some locations), criminal, civil, (e.g., immigration, human rights, employment, landlord-tenant, income benefits), provided through:
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-free legal information, advocacy, and assistance to individuals-often time-limited (30 minutes), and in some cases are explicit that representation is not provided.-generally to low income residents that meet financial eligibility guidelines-not all clinics are under supervision of a lawyer | -usually a board of directors of the overall service in which the justice service is located (also applies to university-based student programs) | -in-person, telephone, emailService to Northern Alberta residents through the Rural Family Law Project of the Edmonton Community Legal clinic was by telephone, Skype and other forms of technology even pre-COVID-19As of September 2021 most services are closed to the general public during COVID-19 but remain available by telephone |
Varied | -At University of Alberta (Edmonton) there are several specialized outreach clinics: Trans ID Clinic works to aid members of Edmonton’s transgender community in filing paperwork to change their names, and/or change their gender identity marker’s on government issued ID; Civil Claims Duty Counsel Project Partnered with Pro Bono Law Alberta to assist with providing self-represented litigants summary legal advice through volunteer lawyers; Queen’s Bench Amicus Project, Partnered with Pro Bono Law Alberta to assist self-represented litigants access summary legal advice with through volunteer lawyers and speak to matters in chambers; Wills Clinic Project Partnered with Sage Senior’s Centre to assist low-income elderly clients draft Wills, Power of Attorney, and Personal Directives (4 clinics)Footnote 1 of 2. Jurisdiction: Alberta and another clinic of Pro Bono Law Alberta deals solely with civil claims. | -as per previous page | -as per previous page | -as per previous page | |
Independent community-based organizations | Varied | -Approximately 8 programs on a diversity of matters, e.g., immigration and settlement (Calgary Immigrant Women’s Association, Immigrant Services Calgary), elder law (Kerby Centre in Calgary). They appear to raise funds from members and fund-raising events; clinic legal assistance is offered by lawyers on a volunteer basis. For example, the Calgary Chinese Community Services Association, Centre for Newcomers, Mustard Seed, Kerby Centre, and Eastside Family Counselling Centre all hold clinics assisted by Calgary Legal Guidance. | -as per previous page | -as per previous page | -as per previous page |
3. Jurisdiction: Saskatchewan
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Saskatchewan Law Foundation via Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) | As per the Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan 2019 annual report, the breakdown is:
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-Directly operates 12 free legal clinics with volunteer lawyers in 10 communities across the province.-Additionally supports two other clinics through intermediaries: the Association des Juristes d’Expression Française de la Saskatchewan (AJEFS) in providing a French free clinic (Regina) and the Central Alberta Clinic in providing the Lloydminster Free legal clinic (see Alberta jurisdiction summary). | -up to one hour of free legal advice to persons who cannot afford a lawyer. No representation service.-if the legal issue is very serious and/or more assistance is needed, the file may be referred to the PBLS Panel program for a specialist volunteer lawyer | -all consultations are by appointment | |
Saskatchewan Law Foundation via Community Legal Assistance Services for Saskatoon Inner City (CLASSIC); College of Law | For walk-in advocacy clinic: varied civil and minor criminal, but no familyFor legal advice clinic:family, criminal, and civil matters | CLASSIC has two programs.
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-walk-in advocacy clinic has no time limit specified-legal advice clinic is up to half hour with lawyer | -as of 2021, the clinic is closed for walk-in traffic; only telephone, e-mail and written communications accepted |
4. Jurisdiction: Manitoba
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Winnipeg Legal Help Centre (WLHC) (supported by diverse funders, including Manitoba Law Foundation) | WLHC 2019-20 annual report states that family is 51%; civil (approx. 45%) and criminal (approx. 3%) are estimates based on a pie chart in the report | Three volunteer clinics:
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-ongoing support and information, describing process, drafting court documents, writing letters to partiesLimited to family incomes under $50,000, but almost half are under $20,000 | -board of directors | -formerly began with drop-in clinic, but office is physically closed and all in-person services, including drop-in clinics, are closed until further notice to reduce health risks related to COVID-19; now schedule telephone appointments |
Legal Aid Manitoba, University of Manitoba and Manitoba Law Foundation | Criminal summary conviction matters and civil | -Two clinics per week at the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre and the Legal Aid Manitoba office. Deals with summary conviction matters and highway traffic offences, and small claims matters involving consumer matters and disputes with Manitoba Public Insurance. | -legal information and assistance; may involve some payments by client | -not stated | -no information |
Manitoba Law Foundation, United Way, and numerous other donors | Civil-tenancy | -One clinic: West Broadway Community Organization. Consultation with tenants and landlords to help prevent evictions, resolve conflicts and understanding rights. | -individual consultations | -board of directors | -not specified, but as of 2021 website states that program is currently available |
Manitoba Law Foundation, United Way of Winnipeg, Government of Manitoba | Employment insurance and employment income assistance | -One clinic: Community Unemployed Help Centre. | -assistance, advice and some representation | -board of directors | -not specified |
Services not included are:
- Five community law centres in Winnipeg and four in other cities, which appear to be direct services staffed by Legal Aid Manitoba rather than local legal clinics. Although there is an overall Management Council for Legal Aid Manitoba which is independent of government, it is appointed by provincial cabinet.
- Child Protection Law Office – a direct court-based service by Legal Aid Manitoba
- Community Legal Education Association – is a phone-in service.
- Family Justice Resource Centre at Law Courts Building in Winnipeg – is a direct service of Manitoba Justice.
5. Jurisdiction: Ontario
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Legal Aid Ontario for core funding; other funders involved | Primarily civil. They generally do not cover most criminal or family matters. | -59 general community legal clinics that serve geographic communities throughout Ontario. Depending on the clinic, issues may include social assistance, housing, refugee and immigration law, employment law, human rights, workers’ compensation, consumer law and CPP.-The 59 clinics also serve 95 satellite locations. | -information, advice and some representation; summary advice often provided without financial determination | -clinics are independent, non-profit agencies, governed by community-elected boards of directors | |
Varies, depending on university, but tends towards civil | -Seven university-based clinics. Student Legal Aid Services Societies (SLASS) operate out of Ontario’s seven law schools. With the supervision of full-time lawyers, volunteer law students provide legal advice and represent clients in cases such as minor crimes, landlord and tenant, immigration, tribunals, including the Ontario Human Rights Commission, family. Some outreach to surrounding communities depending on location. | -legal advice and some representation if client qualifies financially | -not stated | ||
Varies; is specific to client group | -14 specialty clinicsFootnote 1 of 5. Jurisdiction: Ontario. The community they serve is not defined geographically.Examples include: Advocacy Centre for the Elderly, Justice for Children and Youth, ARCH – A Legal Resource Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Injured Workers’ Community Legal Clinic, and Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, HALCO (HIV and AIDS legal clinic), Income security Advocacy Clinic | -varies depending on clinic; usually information and summary advice, and some representation | -clinics are independent, non-profit agencies, governed by community- elected boards of directors | -most have suspended walk-in service, e.g., Aboriginal Legal Services site states:"ALS will be transitioning to a remote work environment. Effective Tuesday March 17, 2020 our offices will be closed to the public until further notice." Notice is still current in September 2021 | |
6. Jurisdiction: Quebec
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Quebec Deptartment of Justice (funded by Access to Justice Fund, which also receives support from the Canada-Quebec agreement on Quebec family justice measures, plus $8 contribution by offenders found guilty of an offence under Quebec laws) | Family and civil | 11 community justice centres (Centres de justice de proximité) in the following regions: Bas-Saint-Laurent, Côte-Nord, Gaspé Peninsula-Magdalen Islands, Greater Montreal, Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière, Mauricie, Montérégie, Nunavik, Outaouais, Québec, Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean. Apart from the large metropolitan area for the Greater Montreal centre and the 14 villages served by the Nunavik centre, most centres serve five to 15 regional municipalities.All centres will provide legal information regardless of income or type of matter. Although a more detailed breakdown is possible, family law matters appear to constitute approximately 20% - 25% of overall matters, criminal 5% – 15%, and civil/administrative law 60% – 70%.In their annual reports, each centre provides statistical breakdowns of age, month of consultation, education, gender, region of domicile, area of law, and language. | -legal information and referral only; the centres have also recently initiated a pre-mediation information service in family matters to inform and help people prepare for mediation | -all are non-profit societies with a local board of directors; they all publish annual reports | -with the exception of the Nunavik office, all centres have posted a variant of the following announcement: "Due to the coronavirus, our service in person is temporarily closed. We continue to provide legal information by phone." |
Mile End Legal Clinic (MELC) | Family, civil and criminal | Three clinics coordinated by MELC but hosted in three locations: Park extension (Mon 3-6 p.m.), Tyndale St-Georges (Mon 6-7 p.m.), Mile End Legal clinic (Wed 4-7 p.m.)"The Clinic is able to respond to questions in a variety of areas of law, including consumer protection, civil liability, youth protection, wills and estates, civil procedure, immigration law, social assistance, employment law and penal or criminal infractions." | -service involves an initial walk-in consultation, follow-up by telephone or email to inform how they can help, and then actual follow-up with varying levels of research or direct support preparing for a hearing | -Mile End Community Association has a board of directors | -the MELC adapts its services to the COVID-19 situation and offers legal consultations remotely or in person by appointment only |
YWCA (Hotel Y and the Auberge YWCA, are the YWCA’s self-financing sources.) (But see COVID-19 comment) |
Family, civil, criminal | YWCA Legal Information Clinic.Legal matters include Family, Immigration, Criminal, Civil, Consumer protection, Administrative, Housing, Labour | -30 minute consultations with volunteer lawyers and notaries; for women and their families only; information only; no representation; cost between $0 to $20;maximum three consultations per year per person. | -board of directors | -YWCA website says: "The current health crisis has abruptly interrupted the activities of the Hotel Y and the Auberge YWCA, our organization’s self-financing sources." |
Centre Communautaire des gais et lesbiennes de Montreal | Not specified | Appears to be a service rather than a "clinic"Footnote 1 of 6. Jurisdiction: Quebec | -information, advice, and referral, but not representation | -board of directors | |
Women’s Centre of Montreal | Family, civil | Appears to be a service rather than a "clinic" (i.e., can meet with a volunteer lawyer, and/or commissioner of oaths) | -information and referrals | ||
Montreal Artists Legal Clinic/ Clinique Juridique des Artistes de Montréal (CJAM) | Civil | -The focus is on legal issues related to their art and art practice. CJAM volunteers meet monthly with clients at a “Legal Info Night” to assist with legal issues related to their art. The volunteers gather the facts relevant to the legal issue, research it, and contact the client with the appropriate legal information within two weeks. At the meeting the client may also meet the lawyer who may be helping them.-Legal information may also be provided by phone. | -information and referrals | -due to public health officials’ recommendations, Information Nights will be suspended until further notice. All consultations will take place over the phone (see below). | |
Center for Research-Action on Race Relations | Civil | -Appears to be a service rather than a "clinic". Can make appointments. Offers advocacy and defense for victims of discrimination based on race, religion, ethnic or national origin, citizenship status and related characteristics, and to victims of any other violation of a right recognized by the human rights charters. | -provides representation at varying fee levels depending on means | ||
Just solutions clinic | Civil | -Appears to be a service rather than a clinic. Direct service by appointment to vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals in the domain of refugee and immigration law. The majority of the clients are refugee claimants and other newcomers with a precarious immigration status. Is free of charge | -free legal information and assistance, rights advocacy and accompaniment, representation | ||
Project Genesis | Civil | -Appears not to be a clinic, but a direct service by appointment. Matters covered: housing, welfare, pensions, family allowances, shelter allowance, medicare and medication insurance. | -legal information, advocacy and support | ||
Heads and Hands (A Deux Mains) | -Free for youth 12-25 years. Clinic serves "any type of legal question: whether it’s about your job, a problem with your landlord, family, criminal, immigration or more." Clients of any age receive advice and/or information from the volunteer lawyers at the legal clinics, which has a team of 10-12 volunteer lawyers with different areas of law expertise. Appointments are for half hour consultations (or fifteen minutes, with some lawyers). A suggested donation of $20 is suggested for those over 25 to help support additional legal services for youth. Access to Commissioner of Oaths also available. | -information, advice and referral | -board of directors | -during COVID-19, service remains open, but Head & Hands Legal Services are offered by phone and email only. | |
McGill Legal Clinic | Civil and family | -Covers almost all areas of Quebec law from residential leases, family law to employment law and civil procedure. Clinic does not take on criminal law, tax law or construction law cases. | -information only | -board of directors | -clinic is only operating remotely due to COVID-19; the office is currently closed to the public |
Université de Montréal Faculty of Law Legal Clinic | Civil | -Clinic service for the general public, including the university community on insurance, employment contracts, consumer protection, civil liability, buying or selling a building, marriage contracts and common-law unions, co-proprieties, wills, starting a business, copyright and trademarks. | -information only | -offices are closed until further notice; however, services are being offered remotely; appointments three days per week by phone or email | |
Mobile Legal clinic (MLC) | -The MLC provides an array of services, including access to comprehensive legal information, referrals and accompaniment, as well as assistance in regularizing legal debts. The originality of the work accomplished by the MLC’s volunteers, students from the Law Faculties of McGill University, the Université of Montréal, the Université Laval and University of Quebec at Montreal, lies in their mobility, traveling on a monthly basis to 10 different shelters or day centers who work with the homeless and marginalized in Montréal. | -legal information, referrals and accompaniment | -the clinic’s work is overseen by a dozen law professors and lawyers who are members of the Quebec Bar. | -no information | |
Justice Pro Bono | Criminal, family, civil | -Periodic Legal Clinics in Kuujjuaq. Four lawyers and a notary first travelled there in March 2017 to provide legal services in the areas of criminal and family law, as well as youth protection and inheritance law. Another was held in January 2018. It is not clear whether this service was subsequently subsumed by the community justice centre in Nunavik (see first entry above). | -information, advice, referral.(not clear whether representation is involved) | - board of directors | -there does not appear to be a closure of clinics in Nunavik (see first entry above) |
Elder Law Clinic (no overarching funding info provided) | All issues related to seniors | -Mobile and pro bono legal clinic serving seniors across Quebec. Overarching issues are, 1) legal planning of aging, 2) abuse/financial abuse of seniors, 3) related family law matters. | -legal information, court assistance and accompaniment by appointment, representation | -no information | -no information, but service only by appointment |
Saint Michel legal clinic (numerous community funders, plus Government of Canada, Government of Quebec, Ville de Montréal) | All issues related to racialized individuals and persons of low income | -One clinic weekly by appointment. Most frequent issues are immigration, family and housing, but serves other areas as well. Does not offer assistance in corporate matters, intellectual property, etc. | -provided by law students who then consult with lawyers and meet with client a second time | -board of directors | -in-person consultations now done by phone |
HochLégal | All issues | -One clinic founded in 2019 serving the Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve area of Montreal. Full range of issues, e.g., family, immigration, housing, etc. | -information, advice, no representation | -board of directors | -no information |
UQAM Legal Clinic (University of Quebec at Montreal) | General | -One clinic concerning general legal issues, but offered by appointment. | -information | -no information | -no information |
Concordia Legal Information clinic | All legal areas except housing and labour law | -At Concordia University, offered to undergraduate students by law students supervised by a lawyer. | -information and referral | -no information | -no information |
Legal Clinic of Montréal-Nord, now Clinique Juridique du Grand Montréal. Supported by McGill Faculty of Law and others | General legal information | -Primary areas of service: immigration, family, employment, housing and civil rights. Intended to serve marginalized communities. Clinic founded in 2020 now serving two locations: Montréal-Nord and Côtes-des-Neiges. | -legal information | -no information | -no information |
7. Jurisdiction: New Brunswick
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) receives core funding and in-kind support from Justice Canada, the New Brunswick Law Foundation and the New Brunswick Office of the Attorney General. | Family | Fredericton Legal Advice Clinic: Clinics offered at three locations on certain days/evenings, e.g., First and Third Monday of each month 2:00-4:00 pm (except in summer) and 6:30-8:30 pm; second and last Tuesdays of each month from 6:30-8:30 pm.Clients meet initially with a student volunteer and then a lawyer supervisor. If the lawyer supervisor and the clinic assistant feel that the client’s situation is appropriate, the client can apply for a student research volunteer. | -legal information;assistance with applications to the Alternative Measures Program; assistance finding a lawyer or community group to support the client | -PLEIS-NB is a registered charity with a board of directors | |
New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission Though mostly publicly funded, additional funds are received from the New Brunswick Law Foundation and fees/recoveries from clients. | Criminal | -Free 24-hour service for accused persons to consult with lawyer on short notice while they are detained.For certain criminal matters, Duty Counsel advice may be available at the courthouse, e.g., to explain the court process and give informal advice. Duty Counsel lawyer may appear with accused to enter a plea, but not represent the accused or appear at trial.Anyone can access Duty Counsel for certain criminal matters at the courthouse. No financial eligibility criteria and no cost to access duty counsel services.Legal Aid also provides duty counsel services for the following specialized courts: Mental Health docket, Mental Health Review Board, Domestic Violence Court, Elsipogtog Healing to Wellness court (for First Nations).-Persons charged with a criminal offence and who cannot afford a lawyer, may apply for legal aid. If there is a likelihood that conviction for this offence would result in jail time, and eligibility criteria are met, Legal Aid will provide a lawyer to handle the case. | -legal information, advice, assistance entering plea | -board of directors appointed by Lieutenant-Governor in Council | -as of time of viewing this website in mid-March 2021, the following notice was posted: “The New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission has resumed full services at its offices. Screening requirements and safety precautions are in place to ensure the safety of staff and clients.” |
University of New Brunswick and New Brunswick Law Foundation | Civil | -Clinic is just beginning – will offer advice in the area of landlord-tenant and employment law. | -information and advice | -not specified | -not specified |
New Brunswick Legal Aid Services Commission (see above) | Family | -Family Advice Lawyers available at Family Law Information Centres in Moncton and St John. Explain how the court works, the rules of court, and forms to be filed in family law actions; or provide general information on family law matters.-Family Advice lawyers can explain an Emergency Intervention Order obtained under the Intimate Partner Violence Intervention Act, or an Emergency Protection Order obtained under the Family Homes on Reserves and Matrimonial Interests or Rights Act. If the police/sheriff are unable to serve the Respondent with an Emergency Intervention Order, a Family Advice Lawyer can assist with preparing a motion for substituted service. | -advice: 1 – 2 hours depending on the matter; some assistance with forms, as described. | -board of directors appointed by Lieutenant-Governor in Council. | -as for previous entry |
8. Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Deptartment of Justice Nova Scotia, through Nova Scotia Courts; support from Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University | Civil, and some family as specified | -Four free clinics for self-represented litigants in civil matters in Nova Scotia Supreme Court or the Court of Appeal at following locations:
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-legal information and advice; in some instances also will help client draft court forms or other documents; no walk-in; by appointment only | n/a | -a number of preventive measures are described at:COVID19_Preventative_Measures (courts.ns.ca) |
Nova Scotia Legal Aid | Criminal, family and civil (depending on servicetype in next column) | -Legal aid offices or sub-offices in 20 communities – 1-time legal advice offered in criminal, family, civil matters, either in the Legal Aid office or in the community, plus outreach to community and First Nations sites and free summary advice in every family court in the province.-Online chat service with lawyer approximately once/week for 2 hours on family and social justice (civil) issues. | -primarily legal advice, unless accepted as legal aid clientinformation/ advice | -board of directors; the Commission has 11 Directors, two of whom are non-voting members selected from the public service.; all other directors appointed by the Provincial Governor-in-Council; five nominated by the Minister of Justice (Attorney General); four nominated by the Council of Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society | |
Schulich School of Law; Law Foundation of Nova Scotia; Nova Scotia Legal Aid | General | -A community-based office in the north-central neighbourhood of Halifax. Mandate is phrased as "to provide legal aid services for persons who would not otherwise be able to obtain legal advice for assistance", but no further details provided. | -information, advice | -board of trustees composed of nine community members and nine legal members; the community members are elected/appointed each year at the annual meeting | -no information |
Nova Scotia Artists Legal Information Society | Civil | -The Clinic is a pro bono initiative to help artists navigate pertaining to their trade, i.e. civil legal information pertaining to copyright laws, defamation, royalties, contracts etc. Artists complete information form, and if accepted, meets with volunteer lawyer. | -legal information only, based on need. Thirty to sixty minutes | -non-profit volunteer board of directors | -no information |
9. Jurisdiction: Prince Edward Island
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Law Foundation PEI, Government of Canada, Government of PEI, Law Society of PEI | Civil and family | -Community Legal Information – Tenant Support Centre - Areas of information service includes divorce, custody, child support, company and commercial, including non-profit issues, wills, buying property or renting, labour and employment, consumer protection, criminal law, human rights, Power of Attorney. Through inquiry line, assistance by telephone, email and in person. | -information | -board of directors | -none identified |
Prince Edward Island Legal Aid (Justice Canada and Public Safety Canada) |
Criminal, family, civil | -Prince Edward Island Legal Aid - provides legal representation and assistance to low income individuals who have serious legal needs in the areas of criminal law, youth criminal justice, or family and civil law. The program has a staff of nine full-time lawyers with offices in Charlottetown and Summerside. Family applications involving domestic violence or threats to the personal security of the applicant or children in a family situation are given the highest priority for assistance. In less urgent family situations, priority is focused on the legal needs of dependent children. Prioritized needs in this category include custody, access, financial support, and housing. Other civil includes child protection law, involuntary hospitalization under mental health laws, guardianship, and adult protection. | -there does not appear to be any information program through legal aid, nor a clinic program; there is only representation if the person qualifies. | -none identified | -none identified |
10. Jurisdiction: Newfoundland and Labrador
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Federal and Provincial governments and the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador. | Criminal, family, some civil | -17 area and/or specialized legal aid offices. Six of these are in St John’s. If applicant qualifies financially, covers criminal (indictable, summary conviction if imprisonment or loss of employment is likely), family (e.g., separation, divorce, child custody and access, and sometimes other family matters (e.g., child support, spousal support, or matrimonial property); civil (e.g., refugee claimants who are facing hearings before the Immigration and Refugee Board. 24 Hour telephone advice service for persons detained by police.-Duty Counsel in the Family Division of the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador in St. John’s assist people appearing in court but who do not already have a lawyer. Duty Counsel give basic advice about legal matters that are before the court, explain legal rights and obligations and provide information. | -advice; representation if qualify financially | -board of commissioners consisting of seven members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council; the Deputy Minister of the department; and the Provincial Director | -as of Apr 13/21, "With the recent return to Alert Level 2 in our province, Legal Aid Newfoundland and Labrador continues to serve existing and new clients, primarily remotely. While we are not accepting walk-in appointments at this time, if your matter or circumstances are such that you feel an in-person meeting is required, please contact your Legal Aid Newfoundland and Labrador lawyer or local office.” |
Government of Canada, Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador, Law Society of Newfoundland and Labrador. In-kind and project funding provided by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador | -Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland & Labrador (PLIAN) operates a Legal Information Phone Line and Lawyer Referral Service daily. General legal information only; cannot offer legal advice or opinion. PLIAN offers referrals to lawyers from across the province registered with the Lawyer Referral Service. These lawyers will offer a 30-minute consultation at a flat rate of $40, with no obligation beyond the 30-minute consultation. | -legal information and referrals | -independent non-profit organization and registered charity; board of directors | -not applicable, as access is by phone only |
11. Jurisdiction: Yukon
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
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Yukon Legal Services Society (YLSS) website is currently not operational, but presumably funders are Justice Canada and Government of Yukon | Criminal, family | -Yukon Legal Services Society - website is currently not operational. | -information, advice, representation on specific matters | -independent, non-profit organization; government-appointed board of governors who serve for 3 years. | |
Not specified, but likely Justice Canada and Government of Yukon | Civil and family, some criminal | -Yukon Public Legal Education Association (YPLEA) Law Line. The Law Line is intended to help callers to identify the legal issues confronting them and to give them information about how to go about resolving those legal issues. Pre-COVID-19, individuals could book in-person appointments, but now appointments are by phone only. | -information only; does not provide legal services such as drafting documents. | -non-profit organization with 6 person board of directors | -currently no in-person meetings; all services by phone and email. |
Not specified, but likely Justice Canada and Government of Yukon | Family | Family Law Information Centre (FLIC) – A public service to assist self-represented people understand family law procedures and to help them resolve their family law matters faster.Resources include the website, a resource centre in the Whitehorse Law Courts Building, and a Yukon-wide toll free helpline. | -information, some help with completing and/or notarizing court forms | -not specified | |
Council of Yukon First Nations, with funding from Justice Canada and Government of Yukon | Criminal | -Justice Programs – Justice Staff provide information, basic counselling and interpretation of documents, Acts, guidelines, Criminal Code and regulations.-The Indigenous Courtwork Program (ICW) operates in 11 communities. It assists Indigenous individuals who are charged with a criminal offense to ensure they receive fair and equitable treatment before the law. ICW services are available to all Indigenous people and also attend Court Circuits in the communities of Whitehorse, Carcross, Teslin, Burwash and Beaver Creek. The other communities of Old Crow, Dawson City, Mayo, Pelly Crossing, Carmacks, Ross River and Watson Lake have their own ICW program to provide the same services. | - information and interpretation of documents.- court accompaniment | -not specified |
12. Jurisdiction: Northwest Territories
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Legal Aid Commission (funding from Justice Canada and Government of Northwest Territories) | Criminal and family | -Services available in all five regions, each of which serves five to seven communities. Applications are through seven courtworkers in the five regions. There are also three legal aid clinics in Yellowknife (Yellowknife, Somba K’e and Community) with staff lawyers that provide services throughout the Northwest Territories, as well as an Office of the Children’s Lawyer.-Full service legal aid is typically provided for criminal and Youth Criminal Justice Act charges, including serious offenses under the Criminal Code and other federal laws, less serious offenses where jail or loss of living is possible, some appeals of court decisions, child support, custody, or access cases, spousal support cases, division of property and divorce when related to child support, child welfare matters. | -information, advice and representation for matters covered, if financially eligible | -board of five members representing regions | -as of March 2021: Outreach Legal Aid Services are now open to in-person visits for clients with appointments.All Legal Aid office offices, including Court Worker offices, have re-opened with appropriate safety measures in place. People are encouraged to call ahead for an appointment. |
Family and civil | -Free outreach program to individuals to provide limited, confidential legal information or advice. Services are provided through the outreach clinic in Yellowknife and throughout the Northwest Territories by in-person mobile Outreach clinics.The Outreach Lawyer’s role is only to provide advice and they cannot represent people in court. The program assists people in dealing with issues relating to housing, landlord, and tenant disputes, disability, Canada Pension Plan, EI and Income Support claims and appeals, employment rights, Worker’s Health and Safety Commission claims, wills and estate advice, mental health and guardianship reviews, child protection matters, elder abuse, family law, debtor, creditor or civil claims (formerly known as small claims court). The outreach clinic is located in Yellowknife. | The Outreach Lawyer can provide individuals with up to three hours of free confidential advice. There is no financial means test required to access this limited service. |
13. Jurisdiction: Nunavut
Clinic Funder (Direct and/or Indirect) | Primary Legal Focus | Number of Clinics, Delivery Settings, Sub-Categories of Legal Issues | Extent of Service | Governance Structures | Pre-COVID-19 Delivery Mode(s); COVID-19 Adaptations |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Legal Services Board of Nunavut (LSB) | Family, criminal, civil | -There are three regional legal aid clinics in Nunavut. Each clinic is staffed by a complement of family, criminal and poverty/civil lawyers, administrative support, and courtworkers. Courtworkers are based both within the clinics and in the communities.
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-free information;to receive legal advice, an application for legal aid must be made and approved "based upon financial and meritorious criteria" | LSB has a territorial board of seven directors comprised of a Government of Nunavut representative, a Law Society of Nunavut representative, three regional representatives, and two members-at-large. The Government of Nunavut Minister of Justice appoints all Legal Services board members.Each of the three clinics has a regional board of directors. | Mar 18, 2020: Nunavut’s legal aid offices, including its regional clinics and community offices, are closed to the public until further notice to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.Dec 2, 2020:Justice Services in all communities except Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove and Arviat, re-open offices.Jan 25, 2021:In-person meetings for Community Justice in Arviat restricted to emergency situations where client has no access to a phone or safe location to contact service providers over the phone. |
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