Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) announced that they will not be making the previously proposed cuts that were to have taken effect on July 1, 2017. You can find more information in the announcement on the LAO website: www.legalaid.on.ca/en/news/newsarchive/2017-06-26_refugee-services-will-continue.asp.
However, we have been informed that LAO will consider suspending refugee and immigration law services as of November 1, 2017 if additional funding is not provided.
As noted in the LAO announcement, LAO will continue to talk with the federal government about securing a funding solution and will also continue to consult with stakeholders.
HALCO will continue to work closely with other organizations, including the Refugee Lawyers Association, and will keep you posted about further developments and additional advocacy opportunities.
You can find our June 2017 letters about this issue on our website:
HALCO provides free legal services for people living with HIV in Ontario about immigration/refugee and other legal issues. If you are living with HIV in Ontario, please contact us for free legal advice.