From November 27–28, 2025, law students from the University of Manitoba’s L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic and the Manitoba Legal Clinic for the Arts travelled to The Pas to bring free legal services to northern residents. It was their second visit to the town in recent years, following a trip to Thompson last spring.

The Clinics believe Northern Manitoba communities deserve equal access to legal help, education, economic and other opportunities. These Northern outreach trips aim to connect students and residents in the North with needed services that are too frequently out of reach or concentrated in Winnipeg, while giving law students first-hand insight into the needs, culture, and resilience of Northern Manitobans.

At the University College of the North (UCN) in The Pas, students set up a pop up clinic to answer questions from students, entrepreneurs, small businesses, start-ups including family businesses, non profits, charities, artists, creatives, arts and cultural organizations. The Clinic routinely provides information and advice to Manitobans on intellectual property, contracts, business structures and more, free of charge.

Rebecca Harris, a UCN administrator, welcomed the initiative: “It’s nice to see the supports come to the North. Having a presence here makes an impact for students to see the opportunities available.”

Third-year law student Travis Dech reflected on the experience: “Manitoba’s enterprising spirit is not bound by geography. The North has resources, opportunities and potential with well grounded plans to be an economic driver. I hope entrepreneurs here get the chance to be the change they want to see.”