Ministerial Statement – Minister Parsons Highlights Work of Access to Justice Committee

  • Justice and Public Safety

May 29, 2018

The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Andrew Parsons, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General:


Mr. Speaker, this government is working hard to ensure that all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to justice. I’m happy to say we have made great progress through initiatives such as the Sexual Violence Legal Support Program, Drug Treatment Court, additional supports for victims of revenge pornography, and the study into bail supervision. Mr. Speaker, these initiatives are made possible because of a group of hardworking individuals who are committed to access to justice.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Access to Justice Steering Committee was formed in 2013 and has met on a regular basis to share information, develop partnerships, and encourage and promote a variety of access to justice initiatives in the province.

Mr. Speaker we have members from the Department of Justice and Public Safety, the Court of Appeal, the Supreme Court (General and Family Divisions), the Provincial Court, the Legal Aid Commission, the Law Society, the Canadian Bar Association, the Public Legal Information Association, the Provincial Advisory Council on the Status of Women, the Human Rights Commission, and the English School District.

Since 2016, the committee has established five free legal clinics in the province. The Small Claims Legal Assistance Clinic, the Court of Appeal Legal Assistance Clinic, the Access Law Clinic, the Gathering Place Legal Assistance Clinic, and the Choices for Youth Legal Assistance Clinic have assisted 311 participants. 73 volunteer lawyers, articling students and law students, have generously given 259 hours of legal service to the community.

Mr. Speaker, I am thrilled to see these community members who are working hard to improve the justice system in Newfoundland and Labrador and it is my pleasure to recognize them in the House of Assembly today.

Thank you.

2018 05 29 1:55 pm