Legal Aid Ontario developing strategy for racialized communities

Published: June 13, 2016

Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) is developing a strategy to identify the legal needs and to protect the legal rights of racialized communities in the justice system.

“Clients from racialized communities are often over-represented and face unequal treatment in the justice system,” says John McCamus, LAO’s Chair. “Because of this, LAO needs to develop a strategy to enhance legal services for these communities.”

Over the past two decades, there have been a number of high profile reports that recognize racialized communities are over-represented and subject to different treatment in the justice system as a whole.

Next steps

Kimberly Roach and Wayne van der Meide have been leading the development of a strategy since June 2015. They are meeting with representatives of various racialized communities and organizations in addition to justice experts to learn about the most pressing needs of racialized communities.

LAO will consult with clients, the private bar, community legal clinics and community service providers to identify barriers faced by racialized communities in accessing justice and develop strategies to address those barriers. LAO will also identify gaps and enhance services, programs and resources to offer increased access to justice.

A consultation paper will be drafted to serve as a starting point for province-wide consultations.

More information

Questions

Josephine Li
Communications Advisor
Telephone: (416) 979-2352 ext. 6015
Email: media@lao.on.ca