Manitoba Law Students Speak Out: Supporting the Arts Is Supporting Canada
Law students working with the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts have stepped into the policy arena, submitting a letter supporting the Canadian Arts Coalition’s August 1, 2025, proposal to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance as part of pre-budget consultations for Budget 2025.
Emily Trottier [BA/23], and Rachael Buchwald [BHSt/23], both JD Candidates 2027 at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, spent the summer providing free legal support to artists and arts organizations across Manitoba. Their experience shows the arts’ vital role in Canada’s identity and the need for sustained support.
They endorsed the Coalition’s call for the federal government to permanently allocate at least 1% of total federal spending to arts, culture, and heritage, beginning with a $330 million increase for the 2025–26 fiscal year. This includes $140 million for the Canada Council for the Arts and $190 million for the Department of Canadian Heritage.
Emily Trottier [BA/23], 2L.
“The arts define who we are as Canadians,” said Trottier. “We had the honour of helping people behind that work, many of whom face legal barriers they cannot navigate alone. Supporting this proposal means standing with them.”
At the Clinic, students assist clients with legal issues such as intellectual property, contracts, and tailored legal content. In the creative sector, where artists often act as their own business managers, producers, and agents, accessible legal help is critical.
This summer, seven law students worked at the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts and the L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic to meet rising demands for services, assisting a range of clients. Many clients are women and Indigenous creators, earning income from their art that is at or below the poverty line. Through this work, students are gaining hands-on legal experience and an appreciation for public interest law.
Rachael Buchwald [BHst/23], 2L.
“Public interest advocacy belongs in law schools,” added Buchwald. “We believe more law schools across Canada should combine legal education with real community impact. Being part of something that uplifts others makes studying law more meaningful.”
The Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts, based at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law, is a proud member of the Canadian Arts Coalition, and is currently the only pro bono legal clinic in Canada operated by law students that is part of the Coalition.
The Coalition is a non-partisan, volunteer-led movement advocating for strong public investment in Canada’s arts and culture sector. Its guiding principles: equity and diversity, sector-wide consensus, partnerships, non-partisanship, and constructive advocacy, align with the Clinic’s values.
Both Trottier and Buchwald attended Coalition meetings on behalf of the Clinic, learning about the sector’s needs, public policy, and collaboration.
“We felt it was important not only to support artists through direct legal services but also to support long-term policy change,” said Trottier.
Buchwald, with a background in the performing arts and experience with local non-profits, added, “Art is how culture endures and evolves. This funding recommendation is about more than financial support; it reflects our values, the kind of society we strive to build, and the communities we choose to uplift.”
The arts play a critical role in economic development, community resilience, and national unity. At a time when Canada faces complex challenges, investing in culture is essential.
The submission reminds us that law students can and should engage in public discourse. Their advocacy reflects a growing awareness that the law is not just a set of rules; it’s a tool to build a more inclusive future.
Learn more about the Canadian Arts Coalition and its 2025 pre-budget submission.
Learn more about the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts.