Provinces and territories call for increased federal legal aid funding

Minister of Justice Tom Marshall said today although the federal government did not give any firm commitments on increased legal aid funding during last week�s federal, provincial and territorial (FPT) Justice meetings, he is pleased that the provinces and territories are now united in the lobby for increased federal funding.

�The funding announcement we were hoping to hear did not take place, however, the meetings were successful in that provincial and territorial ministers are now unanimously committed to pressing the federal government for increased legal aid funding and have agreed to develop a national legal aid framework,� said Minister Marshall. �I did get an opportunity to once again shed some light on the challenges facing the legal aid system in Newfoundland and Labrador. I reiterated that there cannot be confidence in the Canadian justice system if our most vulnerable citizens do not have access to it. I then called on the federal government to provide at least 50 per cent funding for legal aid.�

Minister Marshall noted that he was pleased by the reaction of federal Justice Minister Irwin Cotler. �Minister Cotler was very open and honest. He renewed his support for increased legal aid funding, however, there is only so much he can do and our focus has to be on the Prime Minister,� continued Minister Marshall. �With a federal election looming perhaps it is an ideal time for Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to press their Members of Parliament on this very critical issue.�

This years FPT Justice Meeting commenced on Monday, November 7, and concluded Wednesday, November 9, in Whitehorse, Yukon. The annual meeting provides ministers of Justice with an opportunity to meet and discuss important justice issues with counterparts from across Canada. �There was great dialogue on other important justice issues as well, however, overcoming the challenges facing our legal aid system right now is our number one priority,� Minister Marshall said.

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

2005 11 14                                       1:00 p.m.