Log in or register
Share on LinkedInShare on LinkedIn

ARTICLE · 18 MAY 2017

A Threat To Access-To-Justice In Ontario

Devry Smith Frank LLP
Explore more from Devry Smith Frank LLP

Legal aid is a central component of the Canadian justice system, and of justice systems elsewhere in the world. Legal aid helps those individuals who are otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system.

CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Devry Smith Frank LLP
Devry Smith Frank LLP
Author LinkedIn connections

Legal aid is a central component of the Canadian justice system, and of justice systems elsewhere in the world. Legal aid helps those individuals who are otherwise unable to afford legal representation and access to the court system. No matter the legal issue – be it a landlord/tenant dispute, or a child custody dispute – legal aid is available to low-income Canadians in order to promote access to justice.

In 1998, the Ontario government enacted the Legal Aid Services Act. This Act speaks to the Province's commitment to legal aid and access-to-justice. However, recent statistics have revealed that our Province's commitment may have extended a bit too far, financially speaking.

As reported by Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) this past January, the agency has a deficit of approximately $26-million. Not surprisingly, the agency will require "significant support to enable it to meet its targets," one of which includes assisting more than 1 million Ontarians annually.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

View source

Related Articles

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Related Comparative Guides

See more popular content from

Article

BLG At The SCC – What’s Coming In The Supreme Court’s Fall 2026 Sitting Schedule

The Supreme Court of Canada held its second annual ceremony marking the opening of the judicial year at its temporary home in the West Memorial Building, with Chief Justice highlighting the Court's increased caseload and architectural features. What significant constitutional and legal challenges will the Court address in its fall 2026 session, including cases on firearm regulations, Crown immunity, and vicarious liability?
CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Article

Ontario Court Bifurcates Class Action As Practical Approach To Onerous Discovery Demands

An Ontario court granted a motion to bifurcate liability and damages stages in a class action alleging $500 million in hidden fees, finding that extensive documentary production requests were disproportionate and not relevant to determining liability. The decision addresses proportionality concerns in class actions where defendants face onerous discovery demands spanning millions of transactions over a decade.
CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Bennett Jones LLP
Bennett Jones LLP
Article

The Supreme Court Of Canada Reviews Québec’s Bill 21

Québec's Bill 21, enacted in 2019, bans public sector workers from wearing religious symbols and is shielded from most Charter challenges by the notwithstanding clause. The Supreme Court of Canada is now reviewing this controversial law, with a ruling expected as early as November 2026 or later in 2027. Former Minister of Justice Arif Virani discusses the court's struggle to balance competing constitutional principles in this landmark case.
CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
Torys
Torys
Article

The Coldcard Exploit: Why Victims May Have Two Routes To Recovery

A five-year-old firmware defect in Coldcard hardware wallets has enabled attackers to systematically drain an estimated $116 million in Bitcoin from over 5,200 victims since July 2026. This unprecedented exploit raises critical questions about manufacturer liability and creates two distinct legal pathways for recovery: blockchain tracing against the perpetrators and potential litigation against Canadian manufacturer Coinkite for product defects that undermined the fundamental security promise of devices mar
CanadaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration
WeirFoulds LLP
WeirFoulds LLP