Comparison of Legal Aid Across Canada

​Legal Aid is a service offered to those with low income in need of legal representation. Their services typically fall within criminal and family matters. However, in New Brunswick, many services are not covered by our legal aid system. For family matters, these services include, “variation of any order made under the Divorce Act (including child support); division of marital property; variation of spousal support (New Brunswick Legal Aid Commission, 2012).” This places many women who fall into the low income category who are experience domestic violence unable to file for divorce from a violent partner. If their partner files for divorce while attempting to gain custody of their child, the woman has no representation from legal aid. This often forces women to self represent against their violent partner, risking the custody of their child and a fair agreement of divorce. 

​Nova Scotia

• Covers some divorce (will not if it includes property etc).

Ontario

• Will not cover divorce, will only refer you to family duty counsel to answer questions
• Will help create settlement agreements and then provide you with names of someone who would represent you in court at your own cost

Quebec

• Unclear
• States that “family matters” are covered
• “to the party initiating legal proceedings for a breach of promise of marriage or civil union;”

BC

• Unclear
• Arrange settlement agreements (so I am assuming no)

Alberta

• Yes, divorce is covered

Saskatchewan

• Yes, divorce is covered

Manitoba

• Yes, divorce is covered

Newfoundland

• Usually covers divorce

PEI

• Unclear

New Brunswick

• Divorce is not covered
• http://www.legalaid.nb.ca/en/pdfs/Legal_Aid_in_NB_EN.pdf
• https://www.canlii.org/en/nb/laws/regu/nb-reg-84-112/latest/nb-reg-84-112.html?searchUrlHash=AAAAAQANbGVnYWwgYWlkIGFjdAAAAAAB&resultIndex=1