By: Miriam Jurigová, Manager and Legal Advocate, Legal Advocacy Program – social justice
February 20 is the World Day of Social Justice, established by the United Nations General Assembly to promote social justice and place an emphasis on what people and organizations around the world can do to tackle poverty, unemployment, gender inequality, and human rights.
For three decades, MOSAIC’s Legal Advocacy Program has supported low-income immigrants and refugees in British Columbia. From its humble beginnings to a fully-fledged program offering information, advice, referrals, and representation, the program has been instrumental in helping newcomers navigate the Canadian legal system.
Together with partner agencies, the program contributes to the broader mission of providing access to justice and addressing systemic barriers faced by newcomers. As it commemorates its 30th anniversary this year, we reflect on the journey, impact, and partnerships that have shaped the program.
Over the last 20 years, the Legal Advocacy Program Advocates have assisted with over 22,000 legal issues. The Legal Advocacy Program emerged to provide legal information, advice, support and representation to immigrants, refugees, and persons without status living in the Lower Mainland in the areas of non-legal aid tariff immigration, disability benefits and family law.
The primary objective of the program is to educate newcomers about their rights, instilling confidence in dealing with authorities and overcoming institutional barriers. The services extend beyond individual support, with the program actively engaging settlement workers, social workers, advocates, and other professionals throughout the province on legal issues affecting newcomers.
Like most living in poverty, the issues that newcomers face are many, and frequently threaten their survival. Not only do new immigrants and refugees lack the resources to access justice, they also have substantial additional barriers such as lack of English language skills, disabilities or trauma, and lack familiarity of western concepts of law. The compounded effect of all the barriers, often including racial/ethnic/religious marginalization, means that low-income immigrants and refugees are among those in need of accessing information about their legal rights and seeking legal redress and remedies.
The program provides advice to clients in a way that is easy for them to understand and respectful of their uniqueness and diversity. Additionally, the legal advocates are aware of the mental health challenges inherent in resettlement and provide legal advocacy in a trauma-informed and culturally sensitive manner.
The program’s success is a testament to the dedication of its small but impactful team, consisting of a manager, program assistant, immigration legal advocate, family law advocate, and community disability benefits advocate. The BC Law Foundation has been a steadfast partner and funder throughout the program’s existence, and more recently, LAP has partnered with the Disability Alliance of British Columbia to work with the Persons with Disability front-line advocacy position.
During the Legal Advocacy Program’s 25th Anniversary Celebration in 2019, while he was the Attorney General, the Hon. David Eby shared his early experiences working with MOSAIC and highlighted the countless referrals made to the Legal Advocacy Program. His sentiments echo the reassurance that MOSAIC’s Legal Advocacy Program has been a reliable source of help for those in need.
As the program celebrates its 30th anniversary, the focus is not just on the past but on the positive client stories that have left a lasting impact on the community. Stay tuned as over the coming year, through testimonials and narratives, MOSAIC will showcase how its Legal Advocacy Program has empowered individuals and contributed to the well-being of the community.
In the words of BC Law Foundation Executive Director Josh Paterson, “The work of the Legal Advocacy Program is truly critical, making a significant difference.”
Here’s to 30 years of transforming lives and building a more just and inclusive society!
For more information about the program, visit MOSAIC’s Legal Advocacy Program Page.
