Legal Aid Ontario Releases Action Plan
Advancing Indigenous Justice Through Meaningful Action
Published: June 19, 2025
Legal Aid Ontario (LAO) has released the 2025-2030 Action Plan for Indigenous Services.
The Action Plan is grounded in the Indigenous Services Department’s (ISD) guiding principles, and aligned with LAO’s mandate, vision, mission and values. It sets out new initiatives and strategies to guide the next five years of work in supporting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit clients.
Over the past year, LAO has taken important steps to ensure that Indigenous clients receive legal services that reflect their rights, traditions, and self-determination. It has also worked to advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action related to the justice system. This work has been guided by Indigenous leadership, meaningful partnerships, and the invaluable insights from Indigenous communities.
“We know that Indigenous clients continue to face significant barriers within the justice system,” says Fallon Melander, Associate Vice President, Indigenous Services. “This Action Plan is about how we can continue working alongside First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities to provide legal services that are fair, accessible, and culturally safe.”
Key highlights from the plan:
- Expanded access to legal aid services for Indigenous families navigating child protection under Indigenous jurisdiction
- Strengthened partnerships with Indigenous legal organizations to enhance community-based legal support
- Continued efforts to embed Indigenous knowledge and practices within LAO’s services
While progress has been made, LAO recognizes that there is still work to do and remains committed to working alongside Indigenous organizations, justice partners, legal service providers, and community leaders to build a stronger, more equitable legal aid system.