The ability of the Parkdale Community Legal Services’ clinic to actually remain in the community it has served for almost 50 years has been put in jeopardy by funding cuts from Legal Aid Ontario, the clinic’s director says. Across the province, community legal clinics — which provide legal services to low-income Ontarians — are bracing for a round of cuts after the LAO board meets Friday, when it is expected to discuss its response to the provincial budget. But then came the province’s budget on April 11, which included a 30 per cent cut to legal aid funding. Despite annual 6-per-cent increases to the threshold to qualify for a legal aid certificate, a single person with no dependants must generally earn below $17,731 in order to qualify. She wants the agency to recommit to funding a long-term lease as well as to provide construction costs so that the Parkdale legal clinic can remain in Parkdale.

Source: thestar May 23, 2019 21:31 UTC