Montréal, November 23, 2011 - “The Commission des services juridiques is pleased with the series of increases of the legal aid eligibility thresholds announced by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Québec, Mr. Jean-Marc Fournier”, stated its Chairman, Me Denis Roy.
The Commission welcomes the government’s measures which propose a gradual increase of the eligibility thresholds over a period of three years, beginning on June 1, 2012. The increase will allow more individuals to have access to legal aid and representation before the courts. The legal aid eligibility thresholds will also continue to be indexed, on January 1st of each year, by the same percentage as benefits under the employment-assistance program available to persons with severe employment limitations.
Ultimately, the annual threshold increase in the contributory category will be approximately 43%, taking into account a foreseeable indexation of 2% per year. This increase will make the service accessible to a greater number of people. Me Roy pointed out that the contributory scheme offers a unique formula that allows individuals to be represented by a lawyer before the courts while knowing, in advance, the maximum amount of the legal fees and costs.
The increased thresholds, combined with the annual indexation, will provide financial eligibility that better reflects our economic reality. These measures demonstrate the Minister’s acknowledgement that the legal aid network is one of the essential pillars of access to justice.
The increase in the legal aid eligibility thresholds will also establish a fairer balance between low-income earners and recipients of employment-assistance benefits.
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Contact Person:
Me Richard La Charité,
Director of Communications
514 873-3562, extension 261
rlacharite@csj.qc.ca