CLA THE VOICE OF THE CRIMINAL DEFENCE BAR

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Heroic Peel Police Officer Recovering

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While the shocking events that took place on Friday at the William Davis Courthouse are still fresh in our minds we wished to take this opportunity to express our deep thanks, appreciation and gratitude to all members of the Peel Regional Police Service for keeping our courthouses safe.

We especially want to acknowledge and thank Constable Mike Klarenbeek who selflessly risked his own life on Friday, no one knows what could have occurred but for his heroic efforts.

Our justice system consists of multiple stakeholders who all have vital roles to play. Our system works best when we honour and respect all participants equally.

We are pleased to hear reports that Constable Klarenbeek is now out of ICU and is on the mend. To Constable Klarenbeek and his family our best wishes on a speedy recovery.

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CLA & LAO Lawyers sign landmark agreement

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The Criminal Lawyers’ Association (“CLA”) and the LAO Lawyers have signed a landmark Criminal Justice Protocol Agreement “CJPA” at Queen’s Park on December 11, 2013.

The agreement arises from, and is designed to avert the growing crisis in the administration of criminal justice in Ontario arising from LAO’s modernization efforts. The agreement contains key commitments rooted in professionalism arising from a mutual recognition of our aligned interests by virtually all lawyers that provide criminal justice services in Ontario. Under this agreement, we are stronger together in advocating on behalf of the indigent accused for increased capacity and resources to address the inequalities within the criminal justice system resulting from chronic under-funding and policy implementation that impedes the ability of accused to access quality legal representation.

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Legal Aid Ontario’s mental health strategy misses the mark

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Recently the Toronto Star posted an article on a new mental health strategy announced by Legal Aid Ontario. This is our Association’s response:

Letter to the Editor – Re: Legal Aid Ontario releases pioneering mental health strategy: Goar

Legal Aid’s sudden commitment to improving the level and quality of legal services it provides to the mentally ill is encouraging, but sadly long overdue, and, ultimately, flawed.

The Criminal Lawyers’ Association membership, which is made up of over 1000 private defence counsel, many of whom take Legal Aid files, sees this announcement as window dressing to hide the grossly underfunded resources that are required to actually address the legal problems of the mentally ill on the ground.

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