Over $700,000 will be allocated for essential legal support and advice to newcomers in the region
The Department of Justice Canada has announced substantial project funding to the Saint John Newcomers Centre (SJNC) aimed at enhancing access to justice for racialized newcomers in New Brunswick
Arif Virani, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, and Wayne Long, member of Parliament for Saint John – Rothesay, revealed that a total of $740,237 will be allocated to support the SJNC’s efforts in providing essential legal support and advice to newcomers in the region.
The funding is directed towards the Civil Rights and Contract Rights for Racialized Newcomers project, designed to offer free independent legal advice and civil rights and contract law support for low-income individuals and racialized newcomers. These include refugees, landed immigrants, and permanent residents, focusing on aiding Muslim and Latin American communities in Saint John.
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The SJNC plans to utilize the funds to hire a full-time Project Director to lead the initiative, develop a comprehensive network of legal professionals and volunteers, and establish a Project Advisory Committee. This committee will supervise, implement, and evaluate the project while fostering collaboration with community organizations serving racialized groups and newcomers. Additionally, the project will offer free legal advice in civil rights and contract law, complemented by translation services, documentation assistance, and meeting accompaniment.
This four-year funding (2022–2026) comes from the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program of Justice Canada, which aims to support projects that enhance the Canadian justice system's fairness, relevance, and accessibility. This includes initiatives addressing access to justice, family violence, and emerging justice issues.
The Saint John Newcomers Centre, a non-profit organization, is committed to promoting the cultural, social, and economic well-being and equality of all cultural groups in the Greater Saint John area. This funding is expected to significantly boost their ability to provide community services and support the legal needs of newcomers from diverse backgrounds.
Minister Virani praised the SJNC’s Legal Clinic for its dedication to supporting racialized communities in New Brunswick, emphasizing the project's role in helping newcomers understand the Canadian justice system and addressing systemic barriers against racialized individuals.
“Everyone deserves high-quality and efficient services that are safe and accessible, and make their lives easier. This includes access to justice services for members of racialized communities,” said Wayne Long, member of Parliament for Saint John—Rothesay. With the Government of Canada’s financial support, the Saint John Newcomers Centre can provide newcomers and racialized communities with better opportunities to help them navigate the justice system and to live in a society that is inter-culturally strong.”
Mohamad Bagha, Managing Director of the Saint John Newcomers Centre, expressed gratitude for the funding, emphasizing the project's potential to enhance newcomers' access to legal services and navigate the complexities of the Canadian legal system.
This initiative is part of a broader commitment by the Canadian government, which allocated $21.5 million over five years in Budget 2021 to support legal information and advice services for racialized communities nationwide. The SJNC's project is among 30 projects funded through this investment.
