Attorney General David Eby has issued the following statement:

“I would like to thank the federal government, and Justice Minister Jody Wilson Raybould in particular, for committing to provide British Columbia with additional funding to ensure refugees in our province can continue to access legal aid services for the remainder of this fiscal year.

“The federal Department of Justice has committed an additional $368,880 to allow the province’s Legal Services Society (LSS) to maintain services for immigrants and refugees in need of legal aid to March 31, 2018. This is in addition to $580,101 in one-time funding provided earlier this year by the Department of Justice, and adds to the LSS base budget of $1.9 million provided jointly by the Province and federal government each year.

“As an open, diverse and welcoming place, British Columbia is experiencing a significant increase in demand for legal aid from refugees fleeing war, oppression and persecution. We appreciate the recognition of this pressure by the federal government and its help to ensure that we can maintain legal aid services for these vulnerable individuals and families. 

“I look forward to continuing to work with our federal counterparts on our shared commitment to a justice system that works for all British Columbians.”