Board of directors e‑meeting May 24, 2019
Published: May 24, 2019
1. Attendance
1.1 Board members
Charles Harnick (Chair), Remy Boulbol, Nancy Cooper (by teleconference), Christa Freiler, Carol Hartman (by teleconference) Derry Millar, Peter Owsiany, Sean Robichaud, Michel Robillard (by teleconference), James Yakimovich, Ann Marie Yantz (by teleconference), David Field (CEO/Ex Officio)
1.2. Staff
Janet Budgell, Mary‑Ann Cocchetto, Stephanie Mealing, Jayne Mallin, Tom Cowan
2. Disclosure of Conflict of Interest
No conflict of interest was identified.
3. Clinic and SLASS Funding for 2019/20
The Chair reported that LAO consulted with the Community Legal Clinics. The consultation process included conversations with representatives of the Association of Community Legal Clinics of Ontario (ACLCO), as well as several town‑hall video sessions with clinic staff. A number of helpful suggestions were received with respect to achieving long‑term savings within the clinic system.
The Vice-President, Clinic Law Services, presented the 2019/20 Clinics and SLASS Funding savings plan and options. She highlighted the summary of the previously approved Board decisions on clinic savings totaling $6M. She presented for the Board’s approval, proposals for an additional $9M in clinic savings. The Board discussed the various savings options presented.
DECISION: The Board approved the “2019/20 Global and Projects” and “Operations—excluding Personnel & Lease”, with the exception of the reduction in funding for some membership dues, and with the clarification that although contingency funding will no longer be provided to clinics, LAO will consider emergency requests for funding from clinics.
Due to time constraints, the Board agreed to adjourn for the day and reconvene on Monday, May 27, 2019. Meeting adjourned.