Stewart McKelvey is pleased to be included amongst the donors for The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin Access to Justice Fund, named after the longest-serving Chief Justice in the country. In addition to initial donations from prominent legal organizations and individuals, this fund has received a one-time grant from the Government of Canada for $5 million, to help support access to justice. For more information, please see the full press release below.

The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin Access to Justice Fund Established

Ottawa, September 10, 2019 – A new fund created to honour the legacy of Canada’s longest-serving Chief Justice, The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, was launched today. Named The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin Access to Justice Fund (the “Fund”), it is intended to help support greater access to justice for all in Canada, a cause dear to the former Chief Justice.

Today, the Governing Council of the Fund is pleased to announce receipt of a $5 million one-time grant from the Government of Canada.

“This Fund will support innovative ways to improve access to civil and family justice,” said the Honourable Yves Fortier, a member of the Council. “We invite those interested in promoting better access to civil and family justice at all levels of the justice system to apply, when the application process is formally launched.”

“Access to justice is the cornerstone of a modern democratic society,” said the Honourable Bruce Cohen, another member of the Council. “This Fund will help the most marginalized people have greater access to justice.”

The Fund has received additional donations and pledges from the Federation of Law Societies of Canada, leading Canadian law firms, and interested Canadians, which has put the Fund in the position to soon meet its $10 million goal. These donors include: Bennett Jones LLP; Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP; Borden Ladner Gervais LLP; Federation of Law Societies of Canada; Gestion Cabinet Woods Inc.; Goodmans LLP; McCarthy Tétrault LLP; Norton Rose Fullbright; Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP; Power Corporation of Canada; Stewart McKelvey, Stikeman Elliott LLP, Torys LLP.

Visit https://www.vancouverfoundation.ca/mclachlinfund for further information or to donate.

About the Governing Council of the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin Access to Justice Fund

Founding Members of the Council:

• The Rt. Hon. Beverley McLachlin P.C. C.C. LL.D.(Chair)
• The Honourable Bruce Cohen
• The Honourable Thomas Cromwell C.C., LL.D. (Secretary)
• Virginia Engel Q.C.
• The Honourable L. Yves Fortier, P.C., C.C., O.Q., Q.C., Ad.E., LL.D.
• The Honourable Myra Freeman C.M., O.N.S., M.S.M.
• Brandt Louie, O.B.C., LL.D., FCPA, FCA
• Sheila M. MacPherson
• Peter MacKinnon O.C., Q.C., LL.D.
• The Honourable John Manley P.C., O.C.
• Jason D.D. McLean
• Richard Pound C.C. O.Q. Q.C. Ad.-E. FCA
• Sanford (Sandy) Riley, C.M., O.M., LL.D.
• Mark D. Wiseman

The Governing Council of the Fund has arranged for the Vancouver Foundation to be the trustee of the Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin Access to Justice Fund.

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For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:

Chloe Hutchison
Hill+Knowlton Strategies
613-851-8097
chloe.hutchison@hkstrategies.ca