4 minute read
SPOTLIGHT ON GOOD WORKS
Wayne Robertson
Building Better Communities, one grant at a time
SPOTLIGHT ON GOOD WORKS The Notary Foundation Partners with Other Funders to Support the Child and Youth Legal Centre
The Society for Children and Youth of BC is in the process of launching a new provincial service: Child and Youth Legal Centre (the Centre).
This initiative is made possible by a number of funders collaborating to support it. Funding support comes from the Law Foundation of British Columbia, the Law Foundation of Ontario Access to Justice Fund, the Law Society of British Columbia, the Office of the Representative for Children and Youth of British Columbia, and The Notary Foundation of British Columbia. This funding will support the establishment of the Centre, support it for a period of 3 years, and evaluate its work, after which the continuation of the service can be considered. • The Centre will provide legal services to children and youth in British Columbia. • Young people will be able to access legal services relating
to family matters, child protection, and other children and youth law matters.
It is anticipated the Centre will provide direct legal services as well as address systemic issues.
There will be an emphasis on addressing the needs of
Indigenous, immigrant and refugee, street-involved, and
LGBTQ children and youth.
The Centre will open its office in the later part of 2017. The office will be based in the Lower Mainland, but its services will be available throughout BC.
In British Columbia prior to 2000, in high-conflict family law cases it was possible for children to have an
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independent lawyer appointed, and paid for by government, to ensure that the child’s interests were represented in the hearing. That was a vitally important service that protected numerous children from some of the trauma associated with being caught in the middle of their parents’ battle. The family advocate service was eliminated over a decade ago, along with a number of legal aid family law services.
Since that time, children’s voices have not been heard consistently, in family law matters, child protection matters, and not with respect to many other legal issues that affect them such as employment law, education, health care, bullying, dealing with police, privacy, and so on. The Centre, by providing a province-wide service that helps protect children—one of the most vulnerable groups in our society— will also bring British Columbia in line with other jurisdictions in Canada, including Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick that have children’s lawyer programs.
“Every young person in British Columbia has a right to protection from discrimination and exploitation. When a young person’s rights aren’t being upheld and legal protection is required, it is our shared responsibility as a society to assist them,” says Stephanie Howell, Executive Director of the Society for Children and Youth of BC. Says Eileen Vanderburgh, Chair of the Law Foundation of BC, “So often the most vulnerable in our society do not get the representation they need in the legal system. The Law Foundation of BC has always advocated for a just society and providing legal services for some of our most vulnerable citizens is integral to our mission. By supporting this program, we hope to begin to meet the need for legal services in BC for children and youth, evaluate its work, and aim to provide long-term legal support for children and youth in BC.”
The Society for Children and Youth has established a strong and diverse advisory committee to guide this initiative and to provide guidance on important issues such as eligibility, coverage, intake criteria, and recruitment of staff lawyers and other staff. Ongoing relationship-building will continue with various organizations, the legal community, and others to ensure the Centre has direct channels to young people who may need the service once the office is up and running.
The Centre will support vulnerable young people confronting legal issues and systems beyond their capacity to manage and navigate alone. The Society of Children and Youth is grateful for the support of The Notary Foundation of British Columbia on this vital initiative that fills a major gap in British Columbia’s legal landscape. s Wayne Robertson, QC, is the Executive Director of the Law Foundation of British Columbia. Place Your AD Here Thousands of Allied Professionals in BC read The Scrivener. Winter Advertising Deadline: November 20
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