Access to justice is a fundamental value in the Canadian justice system and an integral part of a fair society that respects the rule of law. The Government of Canada is committed to addressing systemic barriers in the justice system by providing fair and equal access to justice and legal services for vulnerable and traditionally marginalized groups, including racialized communities across Canada.
Today, the Honourable Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, with Wayne Long, Member of Parliament for Saint John - Rothesay, announced $740,237 in project funding to the Saint John Newcomers Centre (SJNC) to improve access to legal support and advice to newcomers of all backgrounds in Saint John, New Brunswick.
This funding supports the SJNC's Civil Rights and Contract Rights for Racialized Newcomers project to provide free independent legal advice and support in the areas of civil rights and contract law for low-income individuals and racialized newcomers, including refugees, landed immigrants and Permanent Residents primarily from Muslim and Latin American communities. The SJNC is achieving this goal by:
- hiring a full-time Project Director to oversee operations and develop a network of lawyers, legal experts, and front-line volunteers;
- establishing a Project Advisory Committee to supervise, implement and evaluate the project's development and outcomes and work closely with other community organizations that serve racialized communities and newcomers; and
- providing free independent legal advice in civil rights and contract law, supported by translation services, assistance to complete documentation, and meeting accompaniment.
Justice Canada is providing funding for this project over four fiscal years (2022-2026) through the department's Justice Partnership and Innovation Program. This program funds projects that support a fair, relevant and accessible Canadian justice system in areas such as access to justice, addressing family violence, and emerging justice issues.
The Saint John Newcomers Centre is a not-for-profit, non-political, and non-religious organization that promotes the cultural, social, and economic well-being and equality of all cultural groups. They provide community services and information to help address individual needs of citizens and newcomers of all background in the Greater Saint John area.
