Despite a massive surplus, many low-income Ontarians still can’t access legal aid services they desperately need
Toronto: Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) has been sitting on a huge surplus, and it’s raising eyebrows. They’ve got over $229 million just hanging around while many folks can’t get the help they need.
LAO is supposed to help low-income people with legal issues, but many are left out in the cold. Take Natalie, for example. She makes just over $45,000 and couldn’t get aid when she needed to separate from an abusive partner. It’s heartbreaking to think that money could help so many.
LAO does offer services for various legal matters, but the eligibility rules are pretty strict. They’re planning to expand who can get help, but it’s still unclear when that will happen. Right now, a single person can only make $22,720 to qualify, which is tough for many.
LAO hasn’t said much about how they’re using that surplus. They mentioned needing to keep some funds for future costs, but it feels like a lot of money is just sitting there while people struggle.
Interestingly, this surplus came after some tough times for LAO, especially after budget cuts a few years back. Rising interest rates have helped boost their funds, but it’s a bit of a double-edged sword. They need to be careful with how they manage it.
People like Lenny Abramowicz are pushing for LAO to spend that surplus to help those in need. He’s right; that money should be used to improve access to justice, not just sit idle.
Many Ontarians are feeling the pinch. Meg Szymanska, for instance, thought she’d qualify for aid after losing her job, but her assets kept her out. Now she’s facing court alone against a team of lawyers, which is terrifying.
With over 1.2 million low-income Ontarians earning too much to qualify for legal aid, the situation is dire. Renee Griffin from Scarborough Community Legal Services sees this every day. She believes the eligibility criteria need to be broadened to help those facing urgent legal issues.
It’s clear that while LAO has the funds, the real question is: when will they start using them to help those who need it most?
