Hi, I’m Adrienne Clarkson. As Canadians, we’re all familiar with the services that are available to us, like health care. But did you know that we also have the right to free legal representation for criminal or family matters? Almost all of these services are provided by lawyers called duty counsel, and they deliver about 1.2 million assists to Canadians every year.
Like the doctor who treats you in an emergency room, duty counsel are people-helpers and problem-solvers. They’re everywhere. Protecting people, escaping family violence, helping those who are imprisoned and standing up for newcomers to this country. They’re like the legal superheroes of Canada, and we have a special day to celebrate them. October 27th is Duty Counsel Day Canada.
If you’re a duty counsel lawyer, thank you. And if you’re a young person planning a future where you could make a difference in people’s lives, duty counsel is one way you could do that. You can learn more at knowdutycounsel.ca. Think about it.
The Right Honourable Adrienne Clarkson
