Minister seeks greater federal funding for legal aid

Tom Marshall, Justice Minister and Attorney General, said today legal aid will top his agenda as he meets with federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Justice Ministers this week in Whitehorse, Yukon.

Minister Marshall said, �There was a sense after last January�s FPT meetings that strong support existed for additional federal legal aid funding, however no additional federal funds have been allocated thus far to the Canadian Legal Aid system, which is a joint initiative between the federal, provincial and territorial governments. These upcoming meetings will give me an opportunity to inform my colleagues of the challenges facing legal aid in Newfoundland and Labrador and to continue to seek increased federal support.�

�The test of a just society is how it treats its most vulnerable constituencies; the economically disadvantaged, children, women, aboriginals and other minorities. Our current system faces many challenges and simply does not meet the needs of those most vulnerable in society,� stated Minister Marshall. "We need increased federal financial support in every aspect of legal aid, especially in criminal and civil legal aid. We also require a separate national civil legal aid agreement and sustainable innovative program and service funding.�

�I have spoken to federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler about this file on a number of occasions and he appreciates the pressures that the provincial and territorial governments are experiencing in terms of both criminal and civil legal aid, which is a fundamental issue of access to justice that impacts particularly on the most vulnerable in our societies. I fully support Minister Cotler in making representations to his federal colleagues for a sustainable and comprehensive approach to legal aid at the federal level,� said Minister Marshall.

Minister Marshall continued, �I have asked Finance Minister Loyola Sullivan to write a letter to his federal counterpart, Minister Ralph Goodale calling for greater federal support for legal aid. I am pleased to have the support of the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, Newfoundland and Labrador Legal Aid Commission, the Newfoundland and Labrador Law Society and the Newfoundland and Labrador Branch of the Canadian Bar Association. These groups have agreed to join the province in our pursuit of increased federal legal aid support. I will be encouraging my provincial and territorial colleagues to take similar action.�

�There was a time when the federal government funded 90 per cent of legal aid in Newfoundland and Labrador. The current federal contribution is 33 per cent and that number is declining and further alienating those groups who cannot afford proper legal representation,� said the minister. �I would like to see the federal government provide at least 50 per cent funding.�

The annual FPT justice meetings will take place from November 7-10 in Whitehorse, Yukon. Minister Marshall noted he will be actively discussing other important justice issues with counterparts from across Canada; however, he remains focused on having the federal government provide the necessary financial support to ensure adequate legal aid services are available.

Media contact: Billy Hickey, Communications, (709) 729-6985, 691-6390

2005 11 07                                         1:50 p.m.