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HOW CAN I HELP?
We are aware of the importance of involvement of counsel from all areas of the province. If
you may have an interest in facilitating the work of the Society in your geographic region by
acting as an A.L.L. liaison, please contact us today.
Donating is also a great way to help us reach our goals.
You should also let your MLA know that legal aid funding should be increased.
you may have an interest in facilitating the work of the Society in your geographic region by
acting as an A.L.L. liaison, please contact us today.
Donating is also a great way to help us reach our goals.
You should also let your MLA know that legal aid funding should be increased.
WHAT ARE YOU UP TO right now?
A.L.L. members are presently actively recruiting other members province‐wide. The larger our
membership, the greater our ability to be effective in accomplishing our goals. It is our hope
that all legal aid lawyers in B.C. will become part of A.L.L.’s fight to improve legal aid funding,
and that we will be joined by counsel who may not have legal aid practices but are sympathetic
to our goals.
membership, the greater our ability to be effective in accomplishing our goals. It is our hope
that all legal aid lawyers in B.C. will become part of A.L.L.’s fight to improve legal aid funding,
and that we will be joined by counsel who may not have legal aid practices but are sympathetic
to our goals.
WHAT IS THE DEAL WITH LEGAL AID FUNDING?
For decades legal aid practitioners have experienced declining income due to legal aid freezes
and cutbacks. At the same time, we have watched the incomes of Crown Counsel and Judges
increase at above the rate of inflation. The issue of legal aid funding has been the subject of
much study. Each report commissioned has reached the same conclusion: legal aid funding in
British Columbia needs to be substantially increased. Underfunding affects most critically
younger lawyers, may of whom struggle to make a living doing legal aid work. The younger
members of the legal aid Bar have also been deprived of critical mentoring and educational
opportunities because of the limited funding available for junior counsel to act as co‐counsel
with senior counsel on large cases. Legal aid underfunding also works against retention of
women in the legal aid Bar.
In addition, of course, the failure of the government to adequately fund legal aid has
enormous social repercussions. Because of inadequate funding, legal aid coverage has shrunk
over time, and is far from what it needs to be. As a result, many British Columbians are cast
adrift in the justice system without the necessary tools to navigate through it. Underfunding
of legal aid targets the most vulnerable sectors of B.C.’s people: children in care and the
mentally ill. It also disproportionately affects indigenous people involved in the justice system.
and cutbacks. At the same time, we have watched the incomes of Crown Counsel and Judges
increase at above the rate of inflation. The issue of legal aid funding has been the subject of
much study. Each report commissioned has reached the same conclusion: legal aid funding in
British Columbia needs to be substantially increased. Underfunding affects most critically
younger lawyers, may of whom struggle to make a living doing legal aid work. The younger
members of the legal aid Bar have also been deprived of critical mentoring and educational
opportunities because of the limited funding available for junior counsel to act as co‐counsel
with senior counsel on large cases. Legal aid underfunding also works against retention of
women in the legal aid Bar.
In addition, of course, the failure of the government to adequately fund legal aid has
enormous social repercussions. Because of inadequate funding, legal aid coverage has shrunk
over time, and is far from what it needs to be. As a result, many British Columbians are cast
adrift in the justice system without the necessary tools to navigate through it. Underfunding
of legal aid targets the most vulnerable sectors of B.C.’s people: children in care and the
mentally ill. It also disproportionately affects indigenous people involved in the justice system.
Who are the current directors of the A.L.L.?
Alphabetically:
Brent Anderson
Fiona Begg, Q.C.
Jeanette Cohen
Sean Davidson
Alexis Falk
Leeanne Footman
Chris Johnson, Q.C.
Graham Kay
Peter Leask, Q.C.
Donald McKay
James (Jay) Michi
Erica Olmstead
Marilyn Sandford, Q.C.
Michelle Silongan
Pamela Smith-Gander
Jason Tarnow
Leslie Anne Wall
Brent Anderson
Fiona Begg, Q.C.
Jeanette Cohen
Sean Davidson
Alexis Falk
Leeanne Footman
Chris Johnson, Q.C.
Graham Kay
Peter Leask, Q.C.
Donald McKay
James (Jay) Michi
Erica Olmstead
Marilyn Sandford, Q.C.
Michelle Silongan
Pamela Smith-Gander
Jason Tarnow
Leslie Anne Wall