News Release Archive
JUSTICE/LEGAL AID--LEGAL AID REVIEWED
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Justice Minister Bill Gillis and Mark McCrea, chairman of
the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, today announced a full
review of the delivery of legal aid services in Nova Scotia.
The review will examine the structure and practices of all
aspects of legal aid to identify the most appropriate means
to deliver services in light of current fiscal reality.
The federal contribution to the total cost of legal aid is
expected to decline as a result of the "broad range of
spending reductions" announced in the last federal budget.
While provincial support for legal aid has increased by 35
per cent over the last five years, the provincial
contribution must now be reduced in order to meet targets
set in the provincial expenditure control plan, the minister
said. The exact amount of the reduction depends upon
federal/provincial negotiations now in progress.
To protect basic services to clients, a review of all
aspects of the service, including management and delivery
models will be carried out.
A project manager will be hired to facilitate the work of a
project review team, which will include representatives of
the Legal Aid Commission, the Department of Justice, the
judiciary, and the Nova Scotia Barristers' Society. A
request for proposals for this project management will be
issued tomorrow (Nov. 22, 1995).
"Our goal is to maintain services to clients," said Dr.
Gillis. "That's why we want to review every aspect of the
operation to find ways to become more efficient and
effective with the resources available."
Mr. McCrea as chairman of the legal aid commission and a
member of the project review team, agreed that maintaining
service to clients is crucial. "We have to look at new
approaches, at new ways of delivering our service so that we
can adapt to the climate of fiscal restraint."
The current legal aid budget is approximately $10.6 million.
Of this amount, the federal government contributes about 55
per cent. Nova Scotia Legal Aid and Dalhousie Legal Aid
provide criminal and civil legal services to qualified
residents of Nova Scotia. The legal aid program is
administered by the commission, which is an independent
board appointed by both government and the barristers'
society.
The Department of Justice is funding the cost of the review,
which is estimated at $50,000, It is expected to be
completed by April 1, 1996.
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Contact: Michele McKinnon 902-424-6811
Mark McCrea 902-897-2000
trp Nov. 21, 1995
