Nanaimo MLA Leonard Krog says new legal aid projects announced by the province won’t be much help…
The Clark government’s initiatives include a Family LawLINE, which will offer legal advice and information over the phone. There’s 6 million dollars over 3 years for the LawLINE and 4 other projects.
Krog, the NDP Attorney General Critic, says it’s not new money; and that’s the problem.
Krog says legal aid remains chronically underfunded in BC. He says the budget has dropped from about 92 million dollars to 74 million, and there’s been no allowance for inflation or population increase.
In making the announcement Tuesday, Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Suzanne Anton said, “Our government recognizes the importance of supporting legal aid and is committed to innovative solutions that help families get the legal services they need… We believe that by providing families with consistent and timely legal advice and services, they will be better supported to resolve their disputes earlier and often outside of a courtroom.”
