Access to Justice
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February 20, 2026
B.C. seeks public input on regulated paralegal roles
The British Columbia government is asking for public feedback on what kinds of legal work regulated paralegals should be allowed to do. The Legal Professions Act, which became law in 2024, created a new category of legal service provider — regulated paralegals — who differ from those currently known in the province as paralegals, who work under the supervision of a lawyer and are not allowed to provide legal advice.
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February 20, 2026
Visual law: Using tables, diagrams and pictures in legal work
What if the next presentation you attend is only voice without visuals? If an airplane safety card had only text with no pictures? If a furniture assembly guide was not drawn but written? If the television disappears and only books are left?
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February 20, 2026
Scope of cabinet statutory discretion: Precautionary approaches to protect public interests
Two recent decisions of the Federal Court of Appeal explore the scope of cabinet’s room to manoeuvre pursuant to statutory grants of discretion to protect public interests.
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February 20, 2026
Addressing gender identity among prison populations
Policies provide a framework, and operations turn that framework into action. In a municipal setting, the town council sets policy, and town staff implements operations. But what if a policy puts staff and those they serve in danger?
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February 19, 2026
Legal programs cannot be treated as line items on a budget
The Paralegal Town Hall stands in proud partnership with the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals as we introduce a joint open letter addressed to Premier Doug Ford, Attorney General Doug Downey, Minister Paul Calandra, members of college boards of governors, and other key decision-makers across Ontario.
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February 18, 2026
Public protection, gun law lessons from Tumbler Ridge
Most Canadians believe that adherence to our criminal laws will protect society. It has become commonplace to hear politicians urging us to “get tough on crime” or to support “jail, not bail” as measures to ensure public safety. But how can public safety be protected when there is no accused person to arrest and hold accountable for their actions?
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February 17, 2026
Saskatchewan giving $1.46M to groups battling gender-based violence
Saskatchewan’s government is giving more than $1 million to various organizations as part of the province’s continued role in a national action plan to eradicate gender-based violence.
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February 17, 2026
Tumbler Ridge: When trying to make sense of the unimaginable causes unjustifiable harm
The death toll in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., is devastating. Children gunned down, teachers killed, dozens of people injured — the horror and tragedy are unimaginable in this country. The nation grieves.
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February 17, 2026
78-year-old inmate’s case against Corrections Canada will draw back curtain on system
A country song recorded by Charlie Rich, inspired by the Watergate scandal in the United States, includes the line, “No one knows what goes on behind closed doors.” That could be the theme for some incidents in Canada’s penitentiaries. It has been said that prison walls and fences are more for keeping the public out than for keeping prisoners in. However, from time to time, the public can gain insight into the inner workings of how prisoners are treated when a lawsuit is brought.
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February 17, 2026
‘Just a paralegal’: Clearing up some misconceptions about these officers of the court
There is a phrase that still circulates in court hallways, online comment sections and sometimes even in the quiet doubts of new licensees: “Just a paralegal.”