April 2008 volume 20, number 2
Access to Justice is a Fundamental Right
O
ver the last year the media has been awash in stories decrying mounting threats to the fundamental rights and freedoms of all Canadians. An increasingly urgent dialogue is taking place nationwide about how to best safeguard these rights. With the 2010 Winter Olympics fast approaching, our province will soon play host to the world. Our society’s willingness to provide adequate affordable access to services and justice will be under intense international scrutiny. While advocating for our members, the Canadian Bar Association works hard to ensure that the public at large has access to affordable and comprehensible justice. On the national front, the CBA has been working in the courts to promote that legal aid be recognized as an essential service and that access to justice be available to low-income Canadians. This past month the case was turned down on appeal, but the CBA is as committed as ever, to advocating for the dismantling of financial barriers to justice. Our Branch has been continuing to lobby the provincial government to remove the discriminatory seven per cent tax on legal services. Upon the release of the most recent B.C. budget, in which the tax was not removed, Ken Walton, CBABC President commented, “Individuals and businesses in B.C. are targeted to pay extra money to gain access to justice. The legal system is a key pillar of a strong society and economy, and requires adequate public
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funding to work well, no less than the health and education sectors. In a province with high numbers of unrepresented litigants in courts, it is offensive that this financial barrier continues to exist.” This month, from April 14-20, Law Week events will be held across the province in the communities of Fort St. John, Kamloops, Kelowna, Nanaimo, New Westminster, Port Coquitlam, Vancouver and Victoria. In celebration of Law Week, a number of events such as mock trials, free legal classes, citizenship ceremonies, courthouse tours, public speaking contests, and essay contests for high school students will be held throughout British Columbia. Law Week is the result of the hard work of CBA members in British Columbia to bring information about the Justice system to every British Columbian. Appropriately, the theme for B.C. Law Week 2008 is “Access to Justice, Breaking Down Barriers.” All British Columbians should be provided with affordable access to justice. In 2010 and beyond, our province should serve as a model to the world of how a justice system can equally serve every citizen, and thus support a vibrant and working democracy. Our members have an opportunity this month to help break down the barriers of negative perception and showcase the amazing work of the lawyers in this province. To find out more about Law Week 2008 and the Canadian Bar Association, B.C. Branch initiatives please visit: www.cba.org/bc and www.bclawweek.org. BT