Who handles legal aid & access to justice?
Legal Aid & Access to Justice
Access to justice involves all levels. Federal funds legal aid and operates federal courts, provinces administer legal aid plans and clinics, and municipalities administer by-law courts for local infractions.
⚠️ Shared Jurisdiction: This area involves multiple levels of government. The information below shows the primary responsibility at each level, but overlap is common. When in doubt, start with the level most directly related to your issue.
Federal
Parliament of Canada
- ● Federal legal aid funding
- ● Federal courts (Tax Court, Federal Court)
- ● Supreme Court of Canada
- ● Criminal legal aid (federal contribution)
💡 Example: Contact your MP about access to justice funding, or the Federal Court for federal matters.
Provincial
Provincial Legislature
- ● Provincial legal aid plans (e.g., Legal Aid Ontario, Legal Aid BC, Aide juridique du Québec)
- ● Community legal clinics (provincially funded)
- ● Provincial courts and tribunals
- ● Duty counsel services
- ● Family law legal aid
💡 Example: Contact your provincial legal aid plan, or your MPP/MLA about access to justice.
Municipal
City / Town Hall
- ● Municipal by-law courts (administered locally for provincial offences)
- ● By-law enforcement and fines
💡 Example: Contact your city councillor about by-law enforcement issues or municipal court matters.
Quick Reference — Who to Contact
🏛️ Federal
Your Member of Parliament (MP)
🏢 Provincial
Your MPP, MLA, or MNA
🏘️ Municipal
Your City Councillor
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