Legal Aid Ontario is proud to offer test cases among the services it offers
Published: September 4, 2016
Test cases are important cases that possibly set a precedent in law. LAO takes on such cases because they can address system-wide issues that affect large numbers of low-income and vulnerable people. Test cases are a practical and realistic way to bring province-wide issues before the courts that would not otherwise happen.
One such recent test case, who was seen on TVOntario’s The Agenda on Wednesday night, involved Roch Longueépée, a plaintiff in an ongoing matter challenging the failure of two different universities to properly accommodate Mr. Longueépée’s disability. This case is still continuing and we would not normally comment except Mr. Longueépée has given us his permission and wanted to express his support of LAO’s work.
LAO’s test case work is helping not only Mr. Longueépée but other individuals such as those in Aboriginal and First Nations, racialized communities, people with mental illness and others. We believe that test cases can help advance and protect the rights of low-income Ontarians and, ultimately, improve access to justice.
David Field
President and CEO
Legal Aid Ontario