The following quotations, in whole or part, may be attributed to the President of the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBABC), Michael Woodward

We are very pleased that CBA Branches from across the country have banded together to bring this case to court. Here in BC, we have watched the devastation of civil legal aid, as a direct result of not having the kind of legal protection that currently exists for other areas, such as criminal law. That’s the kind of protection the CBA is seeking to have extended to civil law matters as well.

We are optimistic that with the appointment of the new Attorney General Wally Oppal, and the improved financial position of the province, the government will re-invest in the provision of legal aid in BC. However, the test case is about much more than the level of funding in any one province; it’s about ensuring that every person who needs legal aid, no matter where they live in this country, will be able to get it.

The following quotations, in whole or part, may be attributed to the Chair of the CBABC Legal Aid Committee, Laurence Scott

The CBA has lobbied, made submissions and advocated both publicly and privately to government to increase legal aid funding. The lack of government response is obvious, and the CBA is taking the only possible next step. When governments fail to fund necessary legal services for those who cannot afford them, the only option left is to get the court to direct governments to do what’s right.

The BC Branch of the CBA, like every other Branch in Canada, unanimously agreed to fund this litigation over the next three years. A total of $500,000 has been pledged by CBA members from every corner of the country, because lawyers believe in standing up for the rights of those who have little power in the face of government funding decisions.

[posted June 20, 2005]