Manitoba’s Access to Justice Week 2024 webinars reach record-breaking audience
Record-breaking numbers of people registered for Manitoba’s four Access to Justice Week webinars presented October 28 to 31, 2024. A total of 990 registrations were received from 555 unique individuals. For the fourth year in a row, The Faculty of Law, Law Society of Manitoba, and the Manitoba Bar Association organized panels designed to bring together stakeholders in the legal community to develop meaningful, public-centred solutions that advance systemic change in the justice system.
Supporting the Work: How new lawyers are being trained to overcome A2J barriers
Monday’s event, “Supporting the Work: How new lawyers are being trained to overcome A2J barriers”was presented by The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and the Manitoba Bar Association’s Young Lawyers and Internationally Trained Lawyers sections. Panelists shared what legal supports are now becoming available for clients of diverse backgrounds including cultures, languages and faiths. Representatives from the three host organizations addressed what they are doing to train diverse lawyers who can help these diverse clients.
Panelists included Laurelle Harris, K.C., University of Manitoba, Faculty of Law; Kayleigh Lafontaine, University College of the North; and Ayodeji Olunlade, Restall & Restall LLP (Co-chair, MBA’s Internationally Trained Lawyers Section) with moderator Mercedes Ayala, Mitousis Lemieux Howard (Co-chair, MBA’s Young Lawyers’ Section).
Watch a recording of “Supporting the Work”.
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Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons
Tuesday’s webinar was on “Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons.” Geared to practicing lawyers and students, this session presented an overview as to what different organizations are doing, parole and record suspensions, resources for clients who are, or may be, incarcerated, and an overview of issues related to prison libraries and literature in provincial prisons.
Panelists included Leif Jensen, University of Manitoba Community Law Centre; Marc Kruse, Director of Indigenous Legal Learning and Services at the Faculty of Law; Liz McCandless, Senior Instructor and Director of Clinical Programming at the Faculty of Law; and Kirsten Wurmann, Manitoba Law Library, Manitoba Library Association. Allison Fenske, Clinical Counsel at the University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law and Director of the University of Manitoba Community Law Centre acted as Moderator.
Watch a recording of “Educating and Advocating in Manitoba Prisons.”
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Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements
On Wednesday, October 30, the webinar “Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements”featured insights from both Crown and Defense perspectives. This session explored the powerful role these statements play in the justice system, highlighting some examples of how they can be used at sentencing hearings in Manitoba. Participants learned how these statements can give voice to both individual victims and affected communities.
Panelists included Kathrine Basarab, Manitoba Justice, Public Prosecutions; Caleigh Glawson, a criminal defence lawyer with Brodsky Amy & Gould; and Monique St. Germain, Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.
Watch a recording of “Victim Impact Statements and Community Impact Statements”.
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Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation
The final webinar took place on Thursday, October 31, and featured “Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation.” The panel members represented three different provisions of family legal services and hailed from the Community Legal Education Association, Family Resolution Services and Legal Aid Manitoba. They provided an explanation of the different pathways through the separation process and options available to avoid or at least reduce the conflict and stress of a traditional lawyer / court dispute. This webinar was of interest to the general public to learn what is involved in the separation process and what alternatives might suit a particular situation.
Panelists included Nina Holatova, Community Legal Education Association; Michael Williams, Manitoba Justice, Family Resolution Services; Peter Kingsley, KC, Executive Director, Legal Aid Manitoba.
Watch a recording of “Family Law Services: Pathways to Healthy Separation.”
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The University of Manitoba’s Faculty of Law is home to Manitoba’s Access to Justice Hub, which is an extension of the Director of Access to Justice and Community Engagement’s office at the Faculty of Law. The Hub’s blogspace is a central location for existing participants in the A2J network to connect to their community.