Annual Report
2013
Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan
Annual Report
2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Vision & Objectives - 03
Message from the President & Executive Director - 04
Programs - 06
Activities & Outreach - 08
Board of Directors & Staff - 11
Supporters & Funders - 11
Financial Statements - 12
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Vision & Objectives
As a non-profit charitable corporation, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan strives to improve access to justice within
Saskatchewan by creating, facilitating, and promoting opportunities for lawyers to provide high-quality pro bono (free)
legal services to persons of limited means.
PBLS operates under several guiding principles:
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pro bono services are meant to complement, not replace, an adequately funded legal aid system;
pro bono services should be primarily directed at providing advice and representation to persons who cannot
afford to pay for these services; and
pro bono service should be endorsed and encouraged within the profession as a professional responsibility
shared by all in the profession.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan adopts the following definition of pro bono legal services:
Providing professional legal services without expectation of fee, where legal aid is not available, for:
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persons of limited means who demonstrate a need for legal assistance but are unable to afford legal counsel
without suffering financial hardship;
charitable, non-profit, religious, civic, community, governmental and education organizations in matters that
are designed primarily to address the needs of persons of limited means or which work for the public good of
marginalized or disadvantaged individuals or groups;
matters of public interest and broad community concern which might not otherwise be pursued; and
the improvement of the law or legal system in a manner which benefits marginalized or disadvantaged
individuals or groups.
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Message from the President & Executive
Director
In preparing our annual report we are provided with an
opportunity to focus for a moment, not on where we
have yet to go, but on just how far we have come. It
has been six years since Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
opened its doors, and each year has been marked by
increased support from the legal community and the
community as a whole. It is because of this support
that a growing number of people have a place to turn
for assistance with problems that have the potential to
significantly impact their lives. Our sincerest thanks
are extended to the individual volunteers and to the
community and legal organizations whose dedication to
our mandate has made Saskatchewan one of our
nation’s leaders in pro bono service delivery.
opened their doors as part of PBLS’s Northern
Initiative. These clinics were the first of our free legal
clinics to be staffed remotely by lawyers via peer-topeer technology. Thank you to our host organizations
and the lawyers from McKercher LLP, Cuelenaere
Kendall Katzman & Watson, and Legal Aid and to the
Law Society of Saskatchewan for your tremendous
support in this initiative. We also are pleased to
welcome Scattered Site which has assumed
responsibility to host the La Ronge Free Legal Clinic
from the Kikinahk Friendship Centre in 2014.
The Yorkton Free Legal Clinic was launched in
partnership with the Yorkton Friendship Centre in the
fall of 2013. Thanks to the lawyers of Leland Campbell
LLP, Shawn Patenaude Law, and Rusnak Balacko
Kachur & Rusnak who are staffing the clinic. PBLS is
also pleased to announce that the Weyburn Free Legal
Clinic opened its doors in early 2014. Thank you to
our host organization, the Weyburn Low Income
Centre, and the lawyers of McDougall Gauley LLP,
Miller Thomson LLP and Patrick McDougall who
remotely staff this clinic.
2013 was another year of tremendous growth and
exciting opportunities for PBLS. Our volunteer
complement rose significantly, from 249 to 335
lawyers, and we had the pleasure of collaborating with
several organizations to expand our services. As a
result, in 2013, appointments scheduled through a free
legal clinic in the province increased by 24 percent and
referrals through our panel program increased by 50
percent over the previous year.
2013 also saw the launch of a new specialized panel
program at PBLS. The Criminal Appeals Panel program
was created to provide representation to needy
individuals who are denied both legal aid and court
appointed counsel and are appealing a conviction or
sentence, or are the respondents to a criminal appeal.
PBLS was pleased to partner with several prominent
We are pleased to report that in 2013 three new free
legal clinics opened in Saskatchewan and the ground
work was laid for a fourth. In early 2013, the La
Ronge Free Legal Clinic, hosted by the Kikinahk
Friendship Centre, and the Meadow Lake Free Legal
Clinic, hosted by the Salvation Army Meadow Lake,
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We would like to take this opportunity to thank our
lawyer volunteers and the organizations who partner
with us for their dedication to assisting low income
individuals in this province. Not only do the pro bono
services currently being provided have a tremendous
value for a growing number of individuals but your
insights and perspectives will be invaluable in creating
the broader changes that are needed to move towards
a system that is accessible to everyone.
members of the criminal bar and the Court of Appeal in
developing this program.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan also had the opportunity
to work with the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan and
Miller Thompson LLP in 2013 to create a Small Claims
Clinic at the Provincial Court in Regina. The Clinic,
which provides advice to low income persons involved
in small claims matters, launched in May 2014.
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan continued to consult with
a number of stakeholders in 2013 including
government and various legal and community
organizations on issues affecting access to justice. Of
note in 2013 was our work with the Law Society of
Saskatchewan with respect to inactive and retired
lawyers. We are pleased to report that the Law
Society of Saskatchewan has created a new category
of membership, the Pro Bono Membership, to allow
inactive and retired lawyers who have met the
continued professional development requirements to
provide pro bono legal services through approved pro
bono programs.
We also would like to acknowledge the Law Foundation
of Saskatchewan which has been the primary funder of
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan since its inception.
Thanks to the support of the Law Foundation of
Saskatchewan, PBLS has been able to increase our
staffing level from three to four. This increased
capacity allows our organization to continue to expand
and improve core services and to dedicate staff
resources to new initiatives.
Thank you to our Board of Directors and our Staff for
their time and efforts. A special thanks to Nicole
Sarauer and Julia Bewcyk who worked tirelessly to
ensure our goals were met during the maternity leave
of Kara-Dawn Jordan. We would also like to
acknowledge the longstanding commitments of Victor
Dietz, QC who retired as President of PBLS in June of
2013, and Alma Wiebe, QC, who retired as a Director
of the Board in 2013. Both Vic and Alma showed
remarkable dedication to the organization during the
time they served on the Board.
Also notable in 2013 was the Call-In-Day initiative, an
event put on in partnership between Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan, the Law Society of Saskatchewan and
the Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch to
raise awareness of the need for pro bono services in
the province. On October 26, 2013 several volunteer
lawyers attended at the Law Society of Saskatchewan
offices to accept calls from Saskatchewan residents
and provide legal information free of charge. The
event was a success, assisting many individuals and
receiving significant media attention.
Last, but certainly not least, we thank our supporters.
The Canadian Bar Association, Saskatchewan Branch
and the Law Society of Saskatchewan have both
supported the efforts of PBLS not only financially but in
numerous other ways. Thanks is also extended to
Virtus Group LLP for its ongoing service.
Finally, we are excited to announce that in 2013 work
began on organizing the 5th National Pro Bono
Conference which will be held in Regina, Saskatchewan
from September 24 through 26th, 2014. The
conference is co-hosted by Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan, Access Pro Bono British Columbia, Pro
Bono Law Alberta, Pro Bono Law Ontario, and Pro Bono
Quebec and brings together legal practitioners, the
judiciary, the voluntary sector and academia from
Canada, the United States and abroad to share ideas
and best practices in pro bono legal services, to forge
partnerships, and to explore challenging issues that
still lie ahead in the pro bono sphere.
We at PBLS enter our seventh year of operations with
great enthusiasm generated by the continued and ever
growing support of our community. We look forward
to strengthening existing partnerships and creating
new ones in the year to come.
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Michelle Ouellette, Q.C.
Kara-Dawn Jordan
President
Executive Director and Staff Lawyer
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Programs
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan coordinates and operates several pro bono legal service programs in the Province.
programs include a Clinic Program, a number of Panel Programs, and Mentor and Support Programs.
These
“Absolutely great experience. Most of my work is at
senior government level…she was a lady, with a real
question, had prepared her mind on the question
and understood the answer.” – Clinic Volunteer
Clinic Program
Through the Clinic Program, volunteer lawyers meet with
clients to provide summary legal advice and assisted selfrepresentation. During 2013, volunteer lawyers provided
1,531 appointments throughout the province to
individuals with all manner of legal issues.
Clinics
operating in the province during 2013 included CLASSIC
Legal Advice Clinic, Prince Albert Free Legal Clinic, Regina
Free Legal Clinic, Swift Current Free Legal Clinic, Moose
Jaw Free Legal Clinic, Estevan Free Legal Clinic, North
Battleford Free Legal Clinic, Meadow Lake Free Legal
Clinic, La Ronge Free Legal Clinic and the Yorkton Free
Legal Clinic. The Meadow Lake Free Legal Clinic, the La
Ronge Free Legal Clinic, and the Yorkton Free Legal Clinic
all opened their doors in 2013.
In addition, the groundwork was laid for the Weyburn
Free Legal Clinic and the Small Claims Clinic both of which
opened their doors in 2014.
Thanks to CLASSIC, the Indian & Metis Friendship Centre,
Salvation Army Regina, Salvation Army Swift Current,
Salvation Army Moose Jaw, Salvation Army Estevan,
North Battleford Catholic Family Services, the Salvation
Army Meadow Lake, the Kikinahk Friendship Centre,
Scattered Site, the Weyburn Low Income Centre, and the
Provincial Court of Saskatchewan for their tremendous
contributions and partnership!
Northern Initiative Free Legal Clinic
volunteers (L to R) Sheila Caston, Brett
Cavanaugh & Michelle Ouellette QC, with
PBLS Programs Director Nicole Sarauer.
Feedback from clinic clients:
“Thank you very much for providing this service. I was in need at this time in my life… I am so thankful.”
“I think this is a very great set up and it has helped me so much. I’m so thankful for this program.”
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Pro Bono Law Saskachewan Website & Office
The Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan website is user-friendly, informative, and allows individuals in Saskatchewan to access
information about available legal services including Legal Aid, public legal education materials, pro bono services, and selfhelp resources.
During 2013, the site logged a record 116,479 visitors and 362,802 hits. Telephone calls and e-mails to the Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan office from professional inquiries or members of the public seeking assistance numbered 1,594. Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan strives to help people help themselves.
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Solicitor Panel
Panel Program
Through the Solicitor Panel, volunteer lawyers provide
assistance to a charitable, non-profit or community
organization of limited means.
Through the Panel Program, volunteer lawyers provide full
pro bono representation for individuals and community
organizations of limited means. The program is provincewide and 144 individuals and organizations received
assistance through a Panel Program in 2013. Several of
these programs are specialized, where volunteer lawyers
provide assistance with particular areas of the law.
Specialized panels include a Child & Youth Panel, an
Immigration & Refugee Panel, a Seniors Panel, a Solicitor
Panel, a Residential Tenancy Panel, and a Criminal
Appeals Panel.
Residential Tenancy Panel
Through the Residential Tenancy Panel, volunteer lawyers
and articling students, under the supervision of their
principals or other lawyers, assist low income persons
facing residential tenancy matters.
Criminal Appeals Panel
Through the Criminal Appeals Panel Program lawyers
provide representation to needy individuals who are
denied both legal aid and court appointed counsel and are
appealing a conviction or sentence, or are the
respondents to a criminal appeal.
Child & Youth Panel
The Child & Youth Pro Bono Panel is a joint partnership
between the Advocate for Children and Youth (formerly
the Office of the Children’s Advocate) and Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan. The Child & Youth Panel Program provides
independent access and legal representation to children
and youth in Saskatchewan. Lawyers act pro bono or
pursuant to a court appointment if granted, for a child or
youth going through child welfare proceedings and
provide them with a voice in the process, endorsing their
right to be heard.
Mentor & Support Programs
Through the Mentor and Support programs, volunteer
lawyers supervise law students, mentor a junior lawyer,
or provide organizational support to an existing program.
Volunteer Lawyers
During 2013, 335 lawyers volunteered with Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan programs or our approved partner
programs.
Immigration & Refugee Panel
The Immigration & Refugee Panel provides legal services
to individuals involved in the immigration and refugee
process in Saskatchewan.
Unique in Canada, public
sector volunteer lawyers make up the majority of this
panel program, Saskatchewan is leading the way with
government
lawyer
volunteers
making
valuable
contributions to pro bono.
Seniors Panel
The Seniors Legal Assistance Panel is a program for
seniors receiving the Federal Guaranteed Income
Supplement. When faced with a legal issue, it allows
seniors access to legal counsel for advice and assistance.
Panel Program Volunteers: Christine Glazer & Rebecca Wood
Feedback from a Panel Program Client:
“What an incredibly kind and helpful experience I had under his guidance”
“The people in the program understood me very well and offered legal counselling….even if I don’t get
any compensation I am pleased with the services of the Pro Bono Program”
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Activities & Outreach
In addition to actively creating, facilitating, and promoting opportunities for lawyers to deliver pro bono legal services, Pro
Bono Law Saskatchewan also provides assistance and support to partnerships and supports the work of volunteer lawyers
providing pro bono legal services.
Support to Lawyers
Service Award Partnership
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan partners with the Law
Society of Saskatchewan to award an annual Pro Bono
Service Award that recognizes outstanding pro bono
contributions by a lawyer in the province. For 2013, the
award was presented to Connie den Hollander (top)
and Amanda Neudorf (bottom).
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan works in a number of ways
to support lawyers providing pro bono legal services:
developing and managing projects, compiling best
practices and guides, reducing barriers to pro bono
service provision, preparing and posting online tools for
lawyer volunteers, and recognizing and promoting the
important work lawyers are doing pro bono.
Pro Bono Pledge
The Pro Bono Pledge is a voluntary pro bono standard
designed to assist law firms with their organized pro bono
efforts. Law firms in Saskatchewan that have signed the
Pledge commit to, and provide support for, pro bono legal
services within their law firms.
2013 Pledge Signatories:
Allan C. Hjelte Law Office
Amirzadeh Law
Elke Churchman Law Office P.C. Inc.
MacPherson Leslie & Tyerman LLP
McDougall Gauley LLP
McKercher LLP
Miller Thompson LLP
Partnerships
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan continues to work with
numerous partners to assist and support the delivery of
pro bono legal services:
Disbursement Fund Partnership
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan partners with the
Saskatchewan Branch of the Canadian Bar Association to
offer a Disbursement Fund. Due to generous donations
by the Branch, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan is able to
administer this Fund for use by lawyers providing pro
bono assistance through Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
programs.
Insurance Partnership
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan continues to work with
Saskatchewan Lawyers’ Insurance Association and the
Law Society of Saskatchewan to ensure that there are no
barriers to lawyers in Saskatchewan engaging in delivery
of pro bono legal services through Pro Bono Law
Saskatchewan programs.
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Advocacy & Education Partnerships
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan continued to work with key stakeholders to review child and youth representation, fee waivers
and limited scope legal services with a view towards reform.
Libraries Partnership
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan and the Law Society of Saskatchewan libraries have partnered to ensure effective delivery of
pro bono legal services. The Law Society of Saskatchewan Libraries generously provide free research assistance to lawyers
who are working on a pro bono matter through a Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan program in addition to publications for the
free legal clinics operating throughout Saskatchewan.
Outreach to Lawyers and the Community
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan engages in a number of activities to bring awareness to access to justice issues and the need
for pro bono services, to provide information on Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan programs and services, and to gain the insight
of others for the purpose of developing and implementing effective pro bono initiatives. In 2013 these activities included the
following:
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Exhibitor at the 2013 Canadian Bar Association (Saskatchewan Branch) Mid-Winter Meeting
Attended at the ABA Equal Justice conference and the Envisioning Equal Justice Conference
Met on a regular basis with representatives from Canadian Pro Bono organizations
Met with various provincial organizations as part of the Saskatchewan Access to Justice Committee
Met with and presented to representatives of a number of justice system stakeholders including the Ministry of
Justice, The Court of Queen’s Bench Saskatchewan including the Court Registrars, the Ombudsman Saskatchewan,
the Aboriginal Courtworkers, the Swift Current Bar Association, the Dispute Resolution office and Pro Bono Students
Canada.
Submitted regular articles to the legal publications “Bar Notes” and “The Bencher’s Digest”
Publishing a quarterly newsletter sent out to community agencies throughout the province
Regular maintenance and updates on Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan’s Facebook and Twitter accounts
PHOTOS - Equal Justice Conference 2013
Right (L to R): Annie Baric (Access Pro Bono BC), Jamie Maclaren (Access Pro Bono BC) & Nicole Sarauer (PBLS)
Left (L to R): Ed Ma (Calgary Legal Guidance), Cecelia Frohlick (Pro Bono Alberta) & Gaylene Scheellenberg (CBA)
Events
In January 2013 Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan hosted the Lawyer’s Charity Gala. This is an annual event alternating between
Saskatoon and Regina and benefitting CLASSIC and Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan respectively. The event was a great
opportunity for the legal community to come together and celebrate its pro bono efforts while supporting the improvement of
access to justice in Saskatchewan.
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PHOTOS – 2013 Lawyers’ Charity Gala
Top Right (L to R): Susan & Conrad Hadubiak
Top Left (L to R): Anita Wandzura, The
Honourable Mr. Justice Richards & Michelle
Ouellette, QC
Bottom (L to R): Brittni Hedley, Barbra Bailey,
Nicole Sarauer, Julia Bewcyk
In October 2013, Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan partnered with the Law Society of Saskatchewan and the Canadian Bar
Association, Saskatchewan Branch on the Call-In-Day event. On October 25, 2013 11 lawyers answered the legal questions
of 120 Saskatchewan residents over a three hour period. The event was a success and brought much attention to the need
for pro bono services in the province.
PHOTOS – Call in Day 2013
Top Left: Stephanie Yang
Top Right: Norman Bercovich, QC
Group Photo
Back row: Norman Bercovich, QC, Tim Brown,
Marc Kelly, Kim Newsham, Dale Beck, Suneil Sarai
Front row: Julia Bewcyk, Tyler Gray, Kara-Dawn
Jordan, Jessica Nixon, Morgan Brady
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Board of Directors
Staff
Michelle Ouellette, QC
President
Major Sandra Reid
Secretary-Treasurer
Lindsay Gates
Director
Chris Lafontaine
Director
Eileen Libby, QC
Director
Craig Goebel
Director
Stephen McLellan
Director
David Thera, QC
Director
Nicole Sarauer
Acting Executive Director & Staff Lawyer (January 2013 – August 2013)
Programs Director & Staff Lawyer (August 2013 - present)
Kara-Dawn Jordan
(Maternity leave to August 2013)
Executive Director & Staff Lawyer (August 2013 – present)
Julia Bewcyk
Acting Programs Manager & Legal Assistant (January 2013 – August 2013)
Programs Coordinator & Legal Assistant (August 2013 - present)
Brittni Hedley
Legal Assistant (January 2013 – December 2013)
Jessica Nixon
Summer Student
Practicum Students
Consultants
Morgan Brady
Maleyamu Dukuly
Tennille Wild & David Prost, Virtus Group LLP (Auditors)
Ryan Schmidt, Sparrowhaus (Website & Logo Design)
Julia Bewcyk (Photography)
Supporters & Funders
Supporters
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan is a registered Canadian charity and a special thank you is extended to the individual donors
who contributed to Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan during 2013:
A.R.E. Law
Pat Tondevold
Kim Armstrong
Honourable Judge S.P. Whelan
Cheryl Boechler
Kevin Wilson, QC
Sarah Buhler
Canadian Bar Association
Lorraine Coulman
Colleen Covert
Grant Crookshanks
Dan Dahl
Amanda Dodge
Erin Eccleston
Brenda Freriks
Janice Gingell
John Gormley, QC
Marilyn Gray, QC
Michelle Halvorson
Brenda Hesje
Kevin Hill
Jack Hillson
Deborah Hopkins
Jean Hopkins
Nancy Hopkins, QC
Kay Howsam
Frank Impey
Daniel Ish, QC
Chantelle Johnson
Kurt Johnson
Alison Kennedy
Joanne Khan
Frank Krijnen
Melodi Kujawa
Honourable Judge D.E. Labach
Chris Lavier Legal Prof. Corp.
Brent Little
Dawn McBride
Tracey McHenry
Jennifer McPherson
Shawn Moen
Don Mullord, QC
Ted Nieman, QC
Trevor Oleniuk
B.R. Pfefferle Legal Prof. Corp.
Tim Quigley
Buffy Rodgers
Bill Roe, QC
Honourable Judge D.C. Scott
Karen Searcy
Norma Sim, QC
Honourable Judge B.M. Singer
Nick Stooshinoff
Doug Surtees
Leena Thomas
Special thanks are also extended to the Canadian Bar Association (Saskatchewan Branch) for the generous donation of
funds for the CBA Disbursement Fund and Virtus Group LLP for in-kind audit services.
Funders
Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan acknowledges generous annual funding from the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan and
thanks the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for its commitment to access to justice initiatives.
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Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan
Avord Tower
1110 – 2002 Victoria Avenue
Regina, Saskatchewan S4P 0R7
Tel: (306) 569-3098 Fax: (306) 352-2989
Email: [email protected] Website: www.pblsask.ca