What does the perfect justice system look like?

Why is justice so difficult to access by so many people in British Columbia?

These are the questions that the Coalition for Public Legal Services (CPLS) strives to answer.

We are a group of stakeholders advocating for an accessible justice system in our province.

Recent News

Posters on hearing dates now available.

The Public Commission on Legal Aid is holding hearings across the province in September and October 2010 to hear from the public about problems accessing legal help.You can help promote awareness and participation in the hearings on legal aid in your area by using the posters posted below. Download and print out any or all of these files. Share, distribute, post and help get the word out to encourage attendance at these Public Commission hearings.

Chilliwack - Cranbrook - Kamloops - Kelowna - Nanaimo

Prince George - Surrey - Terrace - Vancouver - Victoria - Williams Lake

Public Commission on Legal Aid video now available on You Tube.

Click here to view.

Double the impact of your submission – send a copy to the Finance Committee.

If you've already sent a submission or an expression of interest to the Public Commission on Legal Aid, send a copy or a summary to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. Their Budget 2011 Consultation Paper – based on feedback from BC communities - forms the basis for allocating government money. The committee pays close attention to submissions, so the more requests for fair funding of legal aid services, the more impact we are likely to create with our many appeals.

If for some reason you are unable to make a submission, you can still send in a one pager to the Finance Committee. Just say who you are, briefly explain why current funding is inadequate and close with a simple request such as, “I encourage government to devote reasonable resources to support legal aid in BC, especially for family and social welfare law where the need is great and where government support could yield the most beneficial results.”

The Finance Committee process is similar to the Commission’s process. You may choose to participate in the following:

• Public hearings from September 15 to October 15 in 14 communities.
• Videoconference hearings on September 24th and October 8.
• Written, audio or video submissions sent in by October 15.
• Complete an online survey available on their website on September 15.

Need more info? Contact the Office of the Clerk of Committees by calling toll-free to 1-877-428-8337.

Send your plea for legal aid funding to the Finance Committee: double the impact of your submission to the Commission.