NDP MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert says province’s first pro-bono legal clinic coming to QMUNITY in Vancouver
VANCOUVER – New Democrat MLA Spencer Chandra Herbert says the first pro-bono legal clinic in the province will be opening at QMUNITY in Vancouver, to serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
“Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner to help them when faced with tough issues like legal problems,” said Spencer Chandra Herbert, MLA for Vancouver-West End. “We know the 2SLGBTQIA+ community continues to face discrimination and other barriers, making access to free legal aid essential. With this new service, we are ensuring that 2SLGBTQIA+ people in our province get the legal help they deserve when they need it most.”
The BC New Democrat government has provided $800,000 to support the clinic in partnership with the Law Foundation of British Columbia. The clinic will add a vital access point for those who need help with legal problems and will offer services tailored to 2SLGTBQIA+ communities including legal help with issues such as housing, employment, family law and more. Self-identified 2SLGTBQIA+ people will be able to get help navigating the legal system, as well as legal representation, free of charge.
The clinic will also offer education on inclusive practices for legal professionals in an effort to improve access to justice for more people throughout B.C. The legal clinic will work in tandem with QMUNITY’s established service and clients seeking legal help can also benefit from counselling, employment support, mental health support and other services.
The BC New Democrat government also recently provided $38,443 to QMUNITY’s Queer, Trans and Two Spirit Resource Centre to support their Healing Hearts program. This program addresses the critical need for mental health supports for vulnerable, low-income Indigenous individuals who are also members of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community by providing free counseling services with a culturally sensitive and trauma-informed approach, recognizing the unique experiences and challenges faced by Indigenous individuals, including the impacts of intergenerational trauma.