Update following province’s April 11th instruction to use only federal funding for LAO refugee and immigration law services
Published: April 15, 2019
Following the province’s April 11th instruction to Legal Aid Ontario to use only federal funding for refugee and immigration services, LAO may only use an estimated $13 to $16.5 million in current federal funds for new services in this current fiscal year. LAO is permitted to use provincial dollars for transition costs.
Our projected costs for 2019‑20 refugee and immigration certificates and staff services were between $30 and $34 million prior to the announcement.
As we consult staff and stakeholders on next steps, we have had to take interim, but urgently needed action:
LAO will honour refugee and immigration certificates already issued
However, effective immediately, to allow us to continue to offer core refugee services using federal funding, we will only issue new certificates for Basis of Claim form preparation, and have suspended issuing all other new certificates.
The Basis of Claim form is the first, and often most important, stage in the refugee process as it sets out a refugee claimant’s story and their reasons for leaving their country of origin, as well as the legal case for their refugee claim. Basis of Claim preparation is the highest priority service and provides a strong foundation for clients to be successful in their claims.
Subject to discussions with staff and stakeholders, LAO’s staff offices in Toronto, Hamilton and Ottawa will focus on filling gaps, especially in appeals and for vulnerable and detained refugees.
Stakeholder consultations
Without delay, we will be holding public consultations on these interim measures and ways to reduce costs, while providing high‑quality service to as many clients as possible. The consultations will also help us determine which services to resume should federal government funding increase for refugee legal aid in Ontario, as well as provide feedback on the interim measures.
New Basis of Claim form certificate details
The new certificate remains at the current 7‑hour tariff. Disbursements will be limited to the following maximums: photocopies ($50), out of office photocopies ($50) fax charges ($50), postage ($25) courier costs ($25), telephone ($25), and interpretation (5 hours). Additional authorizations will not be added while interim measures are in place.
Hearing coverage and other standard disbursements like document translation, medical reports, and remaining 5 hours of interpretation may be resumed in the event of LAO securing additional funding.
We thank you for your understanding, support and input, and will provide more information as it becomes available.
Questions and answers about interim measures concerning refugee and immigration law services.