TORONTO, ON DECEMBER 2, 2021
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) is pleased to announce that the Barreau du Québec (the Barreau) is providing financial support for the expansion of its pro bono programming in Québec. The Barreau’s contribution, together with the recent commitment by the Chambre des notaires du Québec, will significantly increase the capacity of PBSC’s five Chapters in the province to develop and deliver innovative programs promoting access to justice.
“The recent financial support for PBSC in Québec is a major milestone,” said Brittany Twiss, the Former National Director of PBSC and Acting Assistant Dean, JD Program at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. “The Barreau’s members already provide enormous support to PBSC through their service as pro bono lawyer supervisors, and the Barreau’s contribution will undoubtedly increase the opportunities to create impact together.”
“Along with the rest of the country, Québec faces an access to justice crisis, and PBSC is providing an important response to this situation through the mobilization and creativity of law students, legal professionals, and community organizations,” said Leslie Ning, a member of PBSC’s Advisory Board and Advisor to the City of Montreal’s Ombudsman. Currently, PBSC’s Chapters in Québec work with more than three hundred law students, one hundred supervising legal professionals, and ninety partner organizations to run more than one hundred pro bono programs each year.
“Access to justice is a major issue and a priority for the Barreau” said Catherine Claveau, President of the Barreau. “By providing financial support to PBSC, the Barreau wishes to commend the dedication of lawyers who provide pro bono services, and to emphasize the importance of fostering access to justice for all Quebec citizens when they need it.”
About Pro Bono Students Canada
PBSC was established in 1996 at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. PBSC’s mission is to provide free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice. Each year, the organization recruits approximately 1,500 student volunteers who work with community partners and under the supervision of pro bono lawyers and notaries to serve over 13,000 people. The organization’s student volunteers alone provide approximately 130,000 hours of free legal support annually, helping to close the justice gap while providing students with opportunities to develop valuable skills and experiences.
About the Barreau du Québec
The Barreau du Québec governs more than 28,000 lawyers in the province. Its positions are adopted by its elected bodies following analyses and recommendations from its advisory committees. To protect the public interest, the Barreau du Québec oversees the practice of the profession, advances the cause of the rule of law, promotes the value of the legal profession, and supports its members in the practice of law.
Contact:
Donor and Media Inquiries
Jason Goodman, Acting National Director
416.946.0519
Lawyer/Notary/Law Student Volunteer Inquiries
Carolina Cuevas, Program Manager
416.978.4463