News archive

Select a year below:

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.


September 19, 2023

CEO statement for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

How can we accelerate our decolonization and Reconciliation work?

July 19, 2023

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.

October 27, 2022

Duty Counsel Day: Celebrating legal superheroes

October 27 is Duty Counsel Day across Canada.

May 30, 2022

Legal Aid BC has increased financial eligibility guidelines

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

May 10, 2022

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.

March 22, 2022

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.

January 14, 2022

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.

November 22, 2021

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.

November 17, 2021

LABC staff are elected to the Law Society Benchers

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

October 27, 2021

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.

September 24, 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.

September 21, 2021

Legal aid for Fairy Creek protestors

Legal Aid BC is providing legal aid for people facing criminal enforcement proceedings relating to the court injunction at Fairy Creek, or other criminal charges due to part

September 13, 2021

Legal Aid BC announces new CEO

Michael Bryant will be LABC's next Chief Executive Officer, starting January 17, 2022.

August 18, 2021

Duty Counsel Day: raising awareness of the impact of dedicated lawyers

Duty counsel are legal aid lawyers who make a difference in the lives of Canadians. Now there's a day to celebrate them.

June 1, 2021

Distressing news from Kamloops

I know that many of you, like me, are disturbed by the discovery of unmarked graves at the former Residential School in Kamloops, in Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc First Nations t

March 18, 2021

LABC launches broad range of new services during first year of pandemic

Legal Aid BC continued to deliver legal aid services and introduced many new initiatives to support access to justice for British Columbians over the past year.

March 15, 2021

Gladue report services transition

Beginning April 1, 2021, the Gladue Services Department of the BC First Nations Justice Council will be responsible for the administration and management of the Gladue report program in BC.

December 17, 2020

LABC and Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of BC sign MOU

LABC signed a memorandum of understanding with the Native Courtworker and Counselling Association of British Columbia today to formalize their commitment to work together on Indigenous justice services initiatives.

October 16, 2020

Statement from the CEO on systemic racism

Legal Aid BC CEO describes how the organization is addressing racism in the justice system.

September 28, 2020

Service changes will help more people with family law problems

Changes to family law services and financial eligibility mean more help for British Columbians during the pandemic.