Friday, April 01, 2016
Ministry of the Attorney General
Ontario Raising Legal Aid Eligibility Threshold by Another 6 Per Cent
Province Helping Nearly 400,000 More People Get Access to Legal Services
Ontario is giving more people access to affordable legal services by increasing the financial eligibility threshold for Legal Aid Ontario by six per cent, effective immediately.
Legal Aid Ontario provides low-income Ontarians with access to legal services in areas such as criminal, family, immigration, mental health and poverty law. Ontario's 2014 budget committed to increasing the eligibility threshold by six per cent each year over three years, and today's increase is the third.
This year's investment amounts to over $48.8 million and as a result of these three combined threshold increases, nearly 400,000 more people will have access to legal aid services.
Enhancing legal aid for Ontario's most vulnerable is part of Ontario's plan to create a justice system that is modern and responsive to the needs of the people it serves. A simpler, faster and more accessible justice system helps to create a fair society, encourages investment in our communities, and makes life easier by lowering costs and improving convenience and choice.
Quick Facts:
- Since 2003, Ontario has invested over $3 billion in Legal Aid Ontario which has helped Ontarians access: representation for urgent of serious matters; advice about legal rights, obligations and court processes; assistance in court room for bail hearings and sentencing; and local legal services from a community clinic, in areas such as social assistance and housing law.
Additional Resources:
Quotes:
"By improving access to legal aid services in Ontario, we are empowering our most vulnerable and giving them the support and services they need. I am committed to continue working with Legal Aid Ontario to ensure our justice system meets the needs of everyone."
— Madeleine Meilleur, Attorney General
"This third increase in Legal Aid Ontario’s financial eligibility threshold, supported by the government since 2014, will enable us to further improve access to justice across this province. We commend the provincial government for its continued support of legal services for Ontario’s most marginalized and needy people."
— John McCamus, Chair of Legal Aid Ontario
Media Contact:
Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch
416-326-2210
brendan.crawley@ontario.ca
Christine Burke
Minister's Office
416-326-3266
christine.burke@ontario.ca
Feroneh Neil
Legal Aid Ontario Communications
416-979-2352 ext 5103
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