BC FORUM News

Have your say on the future of legal aid in BC

September 15, 2010 - As a member of the Coalition for Public Legal Services, BC FORUM is encouraging members to participate in a series of public hearings that are taking place across BC on the future of legal aid in the province as part of the Public Commission on Legal Aid.

The Public Commission on Legal Aid was established to engage the public of British Columbia in order to determine their priorities regarding legal aid in the province. The Commission is seeking progressive solutions to improve the delivery of legal aid in BC and is accepting written submissions from members of the public and other stakeholders who are interested in making a contribution to this important process.

A series of public hearings are now underway throughout the province where oral submissions from invited parties including the public, community organization representatives and justice system stakeholders will be heard.

Although the September 1st deadline to send in an Expression of Interest to speak at one of the public hearings has passed, those who are interested in the future of legal aid in BC can send in a late submission or a request to be considered as a speaker. Nonetheless, interested parties are encouraged to attend a hearing in your community and make a submission that is, in part, a reaction to what you hear from other speakers. You can do so by making a brief oral presentation in the video booth available at each venue or by writing a formal submission by the October 31st deadline.

The Coalition for Public Legal Services recognizes that many people are distressed about the loss of publicly-funded legal services and jobs and reminds those who are considering making a presentation to prepare their submissions as objectively as possible with recommendations framed as tools for the future and to emphasize facts, not emotions, in making a logical, meaningful case.

At the completion of the Public Commission Hearings, the Commissioner will issue a comprehensive report that will be released to the public and the governments of British Columbia and Canada.