NDP calls on Ford to fund crucial community legal services

Law Help Centres that make sure everyone has access to legal support are closing because of underfunding

Ontario NDP MPPs Joel Harden (Ottawa Centre) and Suze Morrison (Toronto Centre) are calling on the Ford government to fund three Pro Bono Ontario Law Help Centres, which provide vital legal services to low-income Ontarians but will close their doors on Dec. 14 due to underfunding.
“Law Help Centres like the one in Ottawa Centre are a lifeline for thousands of Ontarians seeking legal support – Ontarians like Lori Shepherd, a constituent and mother of two who had nowhere to turn after her husband died without leaving a will,” said Harden.
“Allowing Law Centres to close is taking Ontario from bad to worse – making life even harder for people who are already struggling. Access to justice isn’t a privilege, it’s a right for all citizens in our province.“

These Centres serve more than 18,000 clients every year, with volunteer lawyers dispensing free advice to those who need it. They save the province money, while providing a necessary service to Ontarians. Pro Bono has called upon the Ford government to provide emergency funding of $500,000 so they can keep their doors open.
“With this funding we can restore hope to people like Lori who are at risk of losing their homes because they can’t negotiate with creditors,” said Morrison.
“It is also a good investment. By providing advice on navigating the legal system and helping clients fill out the correct forms, every dollar invested in these centres saves the courts ten.
“Will this government commit to permanent, stable funding for the Law Help Centres?”