Access to Justice

The Coalition for Public Legal Services (CPLS) is an organization dedicated to restoring legal aid in British Columbia. The Legal Services Society of BC has undergone two massive waves of cuts in the last year alone, including the elimination of 30 PEA positions.

CPLS consists of 18 member organizations across the province, including the Professional Employees Association, advocating for public legal services. The Coalition has embarked on a campaign to gain support from stakeholders internal and external to BC’s justice system, including various municipalities.

Over the last several weeks, CPLS members have brought issues surrounding access to justice to the attention of council members in Nanaimo, Vancouver, and Kamloops. The next city to have a similar motion presented to council is Victoria.

We invite all PEA members in the CRD to come to the Victoria City Council meeting when the motion is presented on Thursday, March 11, 2010, at 7:30PM to show your support for your fellow PEA members working for the Legal Services Society of BC. We also extend this invitation to any supporters of BC’s legal aid system. This meeting takes place at Victoria City Hall (1 Centennial Square, Victoria BC).

Feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.