Beneficial changes coming to Legal Aid eligibility

Beginning April 1, financial thresholds to access Legal Aid on PEI will be increased to match market basket measure (MBM) to more fairly represent the economic landscape and improve access to justice across the Island.

The changes being announced today are a result of a review of the guidelines to better identify financial thresholds for Legal Aid moving forward. Using the MBM allows Legal Aid on PEI to become better aligned with other jurisdictions across Canada when measuring financial means and eligibility.

“We are committed to continuing to improve access to justice across this Island, and Legal Aid is one of our more important mechanisms to do that.I want to thank our Legal Aid team for their commitment to proper representation, and for assisting in making our justice system the best it can be.”

- Deputy Premier, Minister of Justice and Public Safety, Bloyce Thompson.

Legal Aid PEI will continue to use a flexible means test to assess all aspects of financial eligibility, coverage and prioritization of legal needs and merit of the application. Legal Aid PEI also has discretionary approval where a strict application of guidelines would cause undue hardship, meaning a broader set of factors to determine eligibility will remain in existence and standard practice.

For more information on MBM including eligibility levels visit https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=1110006601, and for more information on PEI Legal Aid visit https://www.princeedwardisland.ca/en/information/justice-and-public-safety/legal-aid

Media contact:

Kip Ready
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Justice & Public Safety
kjready@gov.pe.ca