The Forum included presentations by Meredith Brown and Sarah McCoubrey (A2J Strategists, CALIBRATE); Mandela Kuet (Mark 1T Consulting, Steering Committee Member of Canada’s Black Justice Strategy); Mark Benton, KC and Peter Kingsley, KC (Steering Committee Members of the National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters); and Dr. Gerard Kennedy (University of Alberta, Faculty of Law).

Brown and McCoubrey outlined the A2J challenges shared across Canada, and the value of supporting each other along the A2J journey. Kuet discussed Canada’s Black Justice Strategy, an initiative by the Department of Justice to address anti-Black racism in Canada’s criminal justice system. Benton and Kingsley introduced the work of the National Action Committee on Access to Justice in Civil and Family Matters, which includes the promotion of legal needs research and people-centred justice. Kennedy presented a recent study conducted on the views of Manitoba legal practitioners of A2J needs in the province.

A2J Stakeholders in attendance also presented organizational updates, which will be included in an upcoming A2J newsletter.

A2J organizations represented at the 2025 Forum included the following:

• Manitoba Court of Appeal
• Manitoba Court of King’s Bench
• Manitoba Provincial Court
• Law Society of Manitoba
• Manitoba Bar Association
• Manitoba Métis Federation
• First Nations Family Advocate Office – Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs
• Legal Aid Manitoba
• Public Interest Law Centre
• Manitoba Justice (Crown Law, Family Law, Prosecutions Service)
• Manitoba Justice (Family Resolution Service)
• Manitoba Law Reform Commission
• Manitoba Law Foundation
• University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
• L’Association des juristes d’expression française du Manitoba (AJEFM)/Infojustice
• Perrie Law
• Legal Help Centre of Winnipeg
• Community Legal Education Association
• Manitoba Library Association – Prison Libraries Committee and the Legal Information for Incarcerated Manitobans Initiative
• Community Unemployed Help Centre
• Mediation Services
• Manitoba Council of Administrative Tribunals
• Manitoba Human Rights Commission
• Elizabeth Fry Society of Manitoba
• At the Root Consulting (Gladue Writers)
• Ending Homelessness Winnipeg
• HoodFams
• Healthy Muslim Families
• Fisher River Cree Nation – Restorative Justice Project
• Pro Bono Students Canada
• A Welcome Place
• Centre Juridique Franco-Justice
• Kíwétinohk Consulting

Supporting the Work: How new lawyers are being trained to overcome A2J barriers

Monday’s event, “Supporting the Work: How new lawyers are being trained to overcome A2J barriers”was presented by The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and the Manitoba Bar Association’s Young Lawyers and Internationally Trained Lawyers sections. Panelists shared what legal supports are now becoming available for clients of diverse backgrounds including cultures, languages and faiths. Representatives from the three host organizations addressed what they are doing to train diverse lawyers who can help these diverse clients.

Panelists included Laurelle Harris, K.C., University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; Kayleigh Lafontaine, University College of the North; and Ayodeji Olunlade, Restall & Restall LLP  (Co-chair, MBA’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Section) with moderator Mercedes Ayala, Mitousis Lemieux Howard (Co-chair, MBA’s Young Lawyers’ Section).

Watch a recording of “Supporting the Work”.

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Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons

Tuesday’s webinar was on “Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons.” Geared to practicing lawyers and students, this session presented an overview as to what different organizations are doing, parole and record suspensions, resources for clients who are, or may be, incarcerated, and an overview of issues related to prison libraries and literature in provincial prisons.

Panelists included Leif Jensen, University of Manitoba Community Law Centre; Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services at the Faculty of Law; Liz McCandless, Senior Instructor and Director of Clinical Programming at the Faculty of Law; and Kirsten Wurmann, Manitoba Law Library, Manitoba Library Association. Allison Fenske, Clinical Counsel at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and Director of the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre acted as Moderator.

Watch a recording of “Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons.”

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Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements

On Wednesday, October 30, the webinar “Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements”featured insights from both Crown and Defense perspectives. This session explored the powerful role these statements play in the justice system, highlighting some examples of how they can be used at sentencing hearings in Manitoba. Participants learned how these statements can give voice to both individual victims and affected communities.

Panelists included Kathrine Basarab, Manitoba Justice, Public Prosecutions; Caleigh Glawson, a criminal defence lawyer with Brodsky Amy & Gould; and Monique St. Germain, Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.

Watch a recording of “Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements”.

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Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation

The final webinar took place on Thursday, October 31, and featured “Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation.” The panel members represented three different provisions of family legal services and hailed from the Community Legal Education Association, Family Resolution Services and Legal Aid Manitoba. They provided an explanation of the different pathways through the separation process and options available to avoid or at least reduce the conflict and stress of a traditional lawyer / court dispute.   This webinar was of interest to the general public to learn what is involved in the separation process and what alternatives might suit a particular situation.

Panelists included Nina Holatova, Community Legal Education Association; Michael Williams, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Services; Peter Kingsley, KC, Executive Director, Legal Aid Manitoba.

Watch a recording of “Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation.”

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The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law is home to Manitoba’s Access to Justice Hub, which is an extension of the Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement’s office at the Faculty of Law. The Hub’s blogspace is a central location for existing participants in the A2J network to connect to their community. 

• Monday, October 28, 2024
  Supporting the Work: How New Lawyers Are Being Trained to Overcome A2J Barriers
• Tuesday, October 29, 2024
  Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons
• Wednesday, October 30, 2024
  Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements
• Thursday, October 31, 2024
  Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation

Supporting the Work: How New Lawyers are being Trained to Overcome A2J Barriers – Monday

Monday’s event will feature panelists from the Faculty of Law and the Manitoba Bar Association’s Young Lawyers and Internationally Trained Lawyers sections who will discuss legal supports are now becoming available for clients of diverse backgrounds including cultures, languages and faiths. The three host organizations will address what they are doing to train diverse lawyers who can help these diverse clients.

Register for Supporting The Work: How New Lawyers Are Being Trained to Overcome A2J Barriers

Panelists:

• Mercedes Ayala, Mitousis Lemieux Howard (Co-chair, MBA’s Young Lawyers’ Section) (Moderator)
• Chidera Anadi-Mbanefo, Cam’s Law Office (Co-chair, MBA’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Section)
• Laurelle Harris, K.C., University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
• Kayleigh Lafontaine, University College of the North
• Ayodeji Olunlade, Restall & Restall LLP  (Co-chair, MBA’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Section)
• Stephanie Bauch, Mitousis Lemieux Howard (MBA’s Young Lawyers’ Section)

Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons – Tuesday

Tuesday’s event is geared to practicing lawyers and students, and will present an overview as to what different organizations are doing, parole and record suspensions, resources for clients who are, or may be, incarcerated, and provide an overview of issues related to prison libraries and literature in provincial prisons.

Register for Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons

Panelists:

• Allison Fenske, The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law (Moderator)
• Leif Jensen, University of Manitoba Community Law Centre
• Marc Kruse, The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
• Elizabeth McCandless, The University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law
• Kirsten Wurmann, Manitoba Law Library, Manitoba Library Association

Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements – Wednesday

Wednesday’s webinar on Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements, will feature insights from both Crown and Defense perspectives. This session will explore the powerful role these statements play in the justice system, highlighting some examples of how they can be used at sentencing hearings in Manitoba. Learn how these statements can give voice to both individual victims and affected communities.

Register for Victim Impact and Community Impact Statements

Panelists:

• Kathrine Basarab, Manitoba Justice, Public Prosecutions
• Caleigh Glawson, Brodsky Amy & Gould
• Monique St. Germain, Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.

Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation – Thursday

The panel members for this presentation represent three different provisions of family legal services.  Our three presenters from the Community Legal Education Association, Family Resolution Services and Legal Aid Manitoba will provide an explanation of the different pathways through the separation process and options available to avoid or at least reduce the conflict and stress of a traditional lawyer / court dispute.   Members of the public are invited to join us to learn what is involved in the separation process and what alternatives might suit each person’s particular situation.

Register for Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation

Panelists:

• Nina Holatova, Community Legal Education Association
• Michael Williams, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Services
• Peter Kingsley, KC, Legal Aid Manitoba

*Each of these programs offers 1.5 hours of CPD to members of the Manitoba legal profession, all of which may be reported as EPPM (Ethics, Professionalism, Practice Management) hours.

Brown has worked in Access to Justice for at least the past four years after having first practiced Family Law and worked as the Legal Director of the Legal Help Centre of Winnipeg for much of her legal career. She was a sessional instructor at the Faculty of Law, teaching Family Law, before becoming the Director of Professional Practice and Externships. She was Access to Justice Coordinator for the Law Society of Manitoba from May 2021 to May 2023 before returning to the Faculty of Law as Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement. In her role at Robson Hall, Brown is responsible for coordinating the Access to Justice Advisory Network, which serves as a resource for justice system stakeholders and helps to address access to justice issues in Manitoba. She coordinates the annual Access to Justice week for Manitoba and brings an access to justice lens to the Faculty’s many clinical programs.

Brown teaches a section of the Legal Profession and Professional Responsibility course which is mandatory for all upper-year law students. In 2020, she received the Dean’s Award for Teaching Excellence, given to sessional instructors demonstrating exceptional teaching and mentorship of  law students.

The Manitoba Bar Association’s Access to Justice Award recognizes an MBA member for outstanding pro bono legal services or outstanding contributions on the issue of access to justice. It is one of eight MBA Recognition Awards, honouring colleagues who demonstrate excellence and commitment to the law, the legal profession and the community at large.