Federal Government Renews Funding for Legal Education Projects

SAINT-BONIFACE, MANITOBA--(Marketwired - Oct. 18, 2014) - Department of Justice Canada

Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced renewed funding to the Continuing Education Division of the Université de Saint-Boniface under the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund. He made the announcement at an event at the university accompanied by the Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages, and Regional Minister for Manitoba, the Honourable Shelly Glover.

The university will use the funding to continue to develop and distribute legal and linguistic tools for public education, along with online and in-person training on legal terminology.

Quick Facts

• Funding for this project totals $193,300 for 2014-15.
  
• This project is supported by the Department of Justice's Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund.
  
• The Government's Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018 focuses on education, immigration and communities, including public education on legal terminology.

Quotes

"Canadians expect a justice system that responds to their needs, while ensuring the protection of our communities. Our Government is committed to promoting access to justice for all Canadians. I am pleased to be in Winnipeg, with my colleague Minister Glover, to promote this project that will allow Canadians to access legal tools in the official language of their choice. We are pleased to enable this work at the Université de Saint-Boniface today, and through projects under the Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund right across Canada."

Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

"All Canadians should have the right to access justice in both official languages - it reflects our cultural identity and history. I am pleased to be home in Winnipeg today to promote this valuable project which will promote equality for all Manitobans regardless of their official language of choice."

Shelly Glover, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Official Languages

"The Centre de ressources en français juridique (CRFJ, formerly the Joseph Dubuc Institute) plays a leadership role in the francophone community for improving access to justice in French. With the financial support from the Department of Justice, we have been able to carry out a set of projects that have a direct, positive impact on Canadians who are served by the professionals who use the tools and take the CRJF's training. Since 2008-2009, the trust that the Department has been placing in the Université de Saint-Boniface has enabled the CRFJ to prepare 47 mini-lexicons, 221 language information capsules and 157 legal information capsules and case summaries."

Aileen Clark, Director, Continuing Education Division, Université de Saint Boniface

Associated Links

• Access to Justice in Both Official Languages Support Fund

• Roadmap for Canada's Official Languages 2013-2018: Education, Immigration, Communities

Follow Department of Justice Canada on Twitter (@JusticeCanadaEn), join us on Facebook or visit our YouTube channel.