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.
“Budget 2022 brings good news for low income British Columbians in legal distress: new, ongoing funding means less people going without urgent legal representation, and more people getting help when they need it most. Thanks to the Attorney General for this investment in Legal Aid BC and the lawyers and staff that do all we can for clients in great need,” said Michael Bryant, CEO of LABC.
The increase is the result of discussions among the Ministry of Attorney General, the Association of Legal Aid Lawyers (ALL), and Legal Aid BC, who worked collaboratively between December 2019 and June 2021 to identify gaps in legal aid service delivery and various options for addressing them.
Legal Aid BC will use the new funding to enhance existing early resolution services for criminal and family law cases, support lawyers to deliver legal aid, and to expand other legal aid services to reach more people in need.
For more information, see the Ministry of Attorney General’s announcement.