Ensuring access to justice stands as a foundational principle within the Canadian legal system, and is emblematic of a society committed to upholding the rule of law. Recognizing the pressing need to dismantle systemic barriers present in the justice system, there is a crucial call to establish equitable and impartial avenues for legal recourse, particularly for vulnerable and historically marginalized groups, such as racialized communities nationwide.

Responding to this imperative, the Federal Government recently unveiled a substantial step forward. Last Wednesday, the announcement was made that the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission would receive $354,842 in project funding. This funding is earmarked to enhance access to legal information and support services for racialized individuals incarcerated in federal and provincial correctional facilities across Nova Scotia. The declaration was made jointly by Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Lena Metlege Diab, Member of Parliament for Halifax West.
Metlege Diab emphasized the pivotal role of collaboration and partnership with legal aid organizations in addressing issues affecting racialized individuals within the justice system. She stated, “Collaboration and partnership with legal aid organizations on matters impacting racialized individuals is critical to reducing systemic barriers in our justice system.”

The funds will bolster the Prison Law Support Worker pilot project, aiming to foster equity, fairness, and empowerment for incarcerated racialized individuals, including Indigenous and African Canadian inmates who face disproportionate rates of imprisonment in the province. The Prison Law Support Worker will play a multifaceted role, including triaging those in need of legal advice, advocating for Indigenous clients seeking parole in their home communities, and assisting in the development of release plans and community supports for parole hearings.
The Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, committed to addressing the socio-economic barriers limiting access to justice, provides an array of legal aid services throughout the province. Focused on criminal, family, and social justice areas, their efforts aim to serve vulnerable and historically disadvantaged individuals.
Charlene Moore, CEO of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission, affirmed the significance of the Prison Law Support Worker program, especially in addressing the disproportionate rates of incarceration experienced by Nova Scotia’s Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian communities.
She stated, “The Prison Law Support Worker program is an innovative service model that is already making a meaningful impact in addressing the barriers to justice faced by incarcerated individuals, particularly those who are Mi’kmaq and African Nova Scotian.”