Protesters against reduced funding for Legal Aid Ontario assemble outside Attorney General’s office
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union supported protests against the Ford government’s legal aid funding cuts by joining a “teach-in” outside Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey's constituency office in Barrie.
The demonstration, which was organized by the Ontario Network of Injured Workers Group and the Barrie District Injured Worker Group, aimed to raise awareness about how the reduced funding for Legal Aid Ontario will affect injured workers seeking compensation and justice.
A report by Barrie Today said that over 50 protesters assembled outside Downey’s office to show their disapproval of the government’s actions.
“If you're injured on the job, you deserve to be compensated while you recover. You can't work to make a living and medical expenses can add up,” OPSEU president Warren Thomas said in a statement. “Injured workers who can't afford a lawyer need Legal Aid if they must fight for compensation.
“People who have little to no income are the least able to afford a lawyer and cuts to Legal Aid hurt them the most. If we are going to have a just and fair Ontario, Doug Downey needs to stand up to Doug Ford and reverse those cuts.”
