Order in Council 250/2023

On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario, orders that:

Whereas:

1. Legal Aid Ontario is a corporation without share capital continued under section 16 of the Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 (the Act);
2. Legal Aid Ontario is independent from, but accountable to, the government of Ontario as set out under the Act;
3. Pursuant to paragraph 5 of subsection 18(2) of the Act, Legal Aid Ontario requires the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council to enter into an agreement with the government of Canada to provide for co-operation in matters relating to the provision of legal aid services, including cost-sharing and funding arrangements; and
4. The government of Canada bears a responsibility for providing funding for Immigration and Refugee legal aid services in Ontario.

Therefore, pursuant to paragraph 5 of subsection 18(2) of the Act, approval is hereby given to Legal Aid Ontario:

1. To enter into an agreement effective April 1, 2022 and ending on March 31, 2023, with the government of Canada respecting the provision and funding of Immigration and Refugee legal aid services in Ontario; and
2. To enter into subsequent agreements with the government of Canada respecting the provision and funding of Immigration and Refugee legal aid services in Ontario. This approval to enter into subsequent agreements applies in respect of agreements that are entered into before, and that would expire on or before, March 31, 2027.