DRAFT MUNICIPAL COUNCIL RESOLUTION

WHEREAS the City of ___________ is committed to equal access to justice for all of its citizens;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government has an obligation to properly fund legal services to ensure equal access to justice for every British Columbian;

AND WHEREAS demand for legal aid in British Columbia has risen significantly over the past year;

AND WHEREAS, the provincial government continues to underfund our legal aid system, resulting in deep cuts to services and staff, notably to the highly successful LawLINE program, significant criminal law services and the closure of important regional legal aid centres;

AND WHEREAS cuts to legal aid hurt the most vulnerable in our society, predominantly lower-income women and children;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of ________ write letters to the offices of the Premier and Attorney-General of BC urging them to restore and increase funding for legal aid in British Columbia;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of _______ write letters to the offices of the Premier and Attorney-General of BC urging them to allow the Legal Services Society to keep the regional centres and LawLINE open.