News archive

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Older releases issued by or regarding the Legal Aid BC are listed on this page. To find newer releases, go to our Latest news page. To read media coverage of Legal Aid BC, see Legal Aid BC in the news. For Legal Aid BC speeches and presentations, see the Reports section.


Legal Aid BC celebrates Duty Counsel Day

October 27 is Duty Counsel Day, an occasion to recognize and honour legal aid lawyers who provide essential legal services to people in need.

LABC Executive statement for National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

September 30 marked the fourth annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

Holistic Representation: Enhancing Client-Centred Criminal Legal Aid in BC

Many LABC clients are brought into frequent contact with the criminal legal system because of significant challenges related to health, housing, poverty, trauma and other unmet non-legal needs.

LABC Executive Statement - LSBC Member Resolution 3

Legal Aid BC’s mission and values include advancing Truth and Reconciliation in everything we do. 

What we Heard Report - Family Legal Aid Expansion 

Legal Aid BC would like to thank the survivors of family violence who took the time to share their experiences with us as well as the service providers who support them.

A message from Legal Aid BC’s Board of Directors

Legal Aid BC’s Board of Directors advises that LABC CEO, Michael Bryant, will be leaving LABC effective Tuesday, April 9, 2024. The Board wishes him well in his next chapter.

People’s Law School Assumes Publication of Several Legal Aid Resources

Effective immediately, People’s Law takes over publishing essential information on welfare benefits, mortgage default, and sponsorship breakdown, formerly managed by Legal Aid BC.

$29 million legal aid expansion for people experiencing family violence

More people in B.C. will soon have access to legal aid services through a new family law clinic model and a significant expansion of legal aid eligibility criteria.

LABC Executive statement for Black History Month

Black Excellence, A Heritage to Celebrate; A Future to Build

CEO statement for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

How can we accelerate our decolonization and Reconciliation work?

Minister of Justice Response to our CEO

The Minister of Justice’s response to a letter sent by Legal Aid BC CEO Michael Bryant in April, 2023.

Duty Counsel Day: Celebrating legal superheroes 

October 27 is Duty Counsel Day across Canada.

Legal Aid BC has increased financial eligibility guidelines 

Legal Aid BC has increased the amount someone can earn to receive legal aid. 

Legal aid service helps people find early resolutions to their criminal legal problems

Legal Aid BC’s expanded service focused on earlier resolutions for criminal cases has been evaluated and the results are in – it’s making a significant impact.

New, ongoing funding for Legal Aid BC welcome news

The Ministry of Attorney General has announced it is committing almost $7.5 million in new, ongoing annual funding for Legal Aid BC (LABC) services.

One-on-one help needed to achieve digital equity

A Legal Aid BC study finds digital legal resources may be effective for some, but not for others — especially for people who face fundamental barriers.

Legal Aid BC’s CEO receives award

LABC CEO Mark Benton, QC, received the President’s Award from the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice at its conference in Vancouver on November 18, 2021.

LABC staff are elected to the Law Society Benchers

Legal Aid BC congratulates three staff lawyers on their election to the Law Society 

BC Attorney General and Chief Judge celebrate duty counsel

BC Attorney General David Eby and BC Provincial Court Chief Judge Melissa Gillespie celebrated the inaugural Duty Counsel Day on October 27, 2021.

Truth and Reconciliation Day and Legal Aid BC

On September 30, Legal Aid BC will observe the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.