Archives: Grants (page 28)

The Osgoode Society for Canadian Legal History studies and promotes public interest in the history of the law, the legal profession, and the judiciary in Ontario and elsewhere in Canada. It does so by publishing books on Canadian legal history, creating and preserving an oral history archive, supporting academic research, and hosting a diverse range of topical educational events.

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) provides legal help without charge to low-income individuals and nonprofit organizations, and experiential learning opportunities to law students. With chapters in 22 of 23 Canadian law schools, PBSC develops legal placements for law students in a range of work settings including legal clinics, nonprofit organizations, courts, and tribunals. Under the supervision of lawyers, student volunteers draft memos, develop and deliver legal education workshops, assist lawyers and duty counsel with client intake, assist clients with document preparation, represent clients before tribunals and courts, and provide legal information to clients.

The Probono Inmate Appeal Program coordinates and supports a roster of experienced criminal appellate counsel to act as duty counsel on the appeals of unrepresented appellants in criminal cases before the Court of Appeal for Ontario. This initiative enhances unrepresented appellants’ access to legal support.

Workers’ Action Centre (WAC) will continue to provide information resources to people in low-wage and precarious employment in Ontario. Through its Developing Critical Post-Pandemic Public Education Strategies to Improve Access to Justice for Workers in Precarious Employment program, WAC will provide responsive public education strategies and resources to reach workers facing emerging barriers, including those who have been disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and are facing increased barriers to access to justice.

Pro Bono Ontario (PBO) bridges the gap between low-income Ontarians who cannot afford a lawyer or qualify for legal aid and lawyers who want to donate their services. Its programs include a legal advice hotline and medical-legal partnerships that operate out of five children’s hospitals. In addition to supporting these activities, the Catalyst grant will enable PBO to enhance its hotline services. The hotline currently provides free summary advice and legal drafting services in the areas of civil litigation, consumer debt and protection, employment law, housing, power of attorney for property and personal care, and corporate law (for nonprofits and small newcomer-run start-ups).

The Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund (IPRF) will drive a multiphase and multiyear community engagement and funding project by and for Indigenous-led communities in northern Ontario. The project will begin with community engagement sessions to learn from Indigenous peoples about the access to justice priorities in northern Ontario. Based on the consultations, the IPRF will design and disburse a funding bundle, supported by the Foundation’s initial commitment of $1M. The objective of the partnership is to deepen relationships among the Foundation, the IPRF, and Indigenous communities, and increase access to justice for Indigenous and northern Ontario communities.

Aftermetoo will further test, expand, and enhance its web platform to better serve people facing workplace sexual harassment with a particular focus on those with specific unmet informational needs such as Indigenous people, gig economy workers, and sex workers. Aftermetoo.com centralizes laws, judicial systems, reporting options, and supports across Canada for those who experience or observe workplace sexual harassment. It uses clear and accessible language to answer common questions and provides step-by-step information to guide people through judicial and administrative forums.

Black Law Students’ Association of Canada (BLSA Canada) will host its annual conference benefiting Black law students from across the country. BLSA Canada aims to foster connections between Black law students and legal professionals to promote professional development, legal education, and cultural awareness within the legal sector.

The Elizabeth Fry Society of Northeastern Ontario will create a Justice Navigation Project to provide practical and legal supports to people in northeastern Ontario in contact with the justice system. Justice Navigators will help approximately 100 people each year with legal aid applications, accessing diversion and other programming, and participating in Pre-Sentence and Gladue reports. Project trainings and a manual will be developed to help sustain and replicate the project. The objective of the project is to improve people’s understanding of their legal rights, produce more positive outcomes, and create efficiencies for the courts.

Elizabeth Fry Society of Northwestern Ontario’s Court Support Program in Thunder Bay supports women and gender-diverse individuals with: court accompaniment; safety planning; and information about court dates, legal processes and terminology; and failure to appear and related administrative charges. It also offers assistance with navigating the process of obtaining legal aid, connecting with legal representation, and with a range of services, including mental health support, housing resources, and substance abuse treatment.