The Conversation has recently published an article by Doug Ferguson and Jason H. Voss entitled “How a proposed law could cut off legal aid for low-income people”.

The article discusses Bill C-75, a federal bill currently before the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights. The legislation seeks to amend Canada’s Criminal Code, including by increasing the maximum penalty for all summary conviction offences from six months to two years. The catch? Law students and articling students, who commonly provide free representation to criminal accused through law school clinics, are not allowed to represent accused on charges where the maximum penalty is higher than 6 months.

The proposed legislation will thus result in vulnerable Canadians losing representation in the criminal courts.

You can read the full article here (link).