THUNDER BAY — A grant from the Law Foundation of Ontario will help Lakehead University's faculty of law offer new legal clinic services for immigrants and refugees in Northwestern Ontario.
The clinic will open in September 2021.
It will offer free immigration and refugee law services to eligible immigrants, temporary residents, refugees, and people without status living in the Northwest.
The project is funded by the law foundation's Access to Justice Fund, and is a collaboration between the Bora Laskin Faculty of Law and the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association.
Law students will serve clients under the supervision of a local immigration and refugee lawyer and lecturer at the school, Jennifer Dagsvik.
"The immigrant and refugee population in Northwestern Ontario is growing, and communities throughout the region have been working to attract more newcomers," Dagsvik said.
She added, however, that until now – unlike in larger centres – free clinical services dedicated to immigration and refugee law have been unavailable in the Thunder Bay region.
In addition to providing legal services, the clinic will provide public legal education in immigration and refugee law issues, and train future lawyers in this field.
Cathy Woodbeck, executive director of the Thunder Bay Multicultural Association, said giving local law students practical experience is a bonus to helping newcomer immigrants and refugees.
Staff will also develop a program to provide free business law services to resettled refugees looking to start a new enterprise.
Law school dean Jula Hughes said the clinic will contribute to fostering safe and welcoming communities for newcomers throughout Northwestern Ontario.
