Dalhousie Legal Aid Society Archives

Media advisory: HRM is criminalizing homelessness

August 19, 2021

Media advisory: The Dalhousie Legal Aid Service condemns yesterdays’ efforts by the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) to remove 40 occupants of tents and temporary shelters from public parks across the city. From media reports, it appears that the HRM’s actions constitute multiple human rights violations. We take issue with both the HRM’s decision to evict and with the city’s failure to adequately consult with community stakeholders before taking action on this decision.

Nova Scotia Budget 2021: ‘Historic’ increase promises slightly less starving for income assistance recipients

March 31, 2021

That ‘historic’ increase in income assistance really doesn’t amount to much, write journalists Kendall Worth and Robert Devet. Here’s why.

Media advisory: Relocation of Dalhousie Legal Aid Service from the Gottingen Street neighborhood due to building safety concerns

September 1, 2020

Media Advisory: After 50 years of being located in the North End of Halifax, the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service (DLAS) will leave its current office at 2209 Gottingen Street on September 10, 2020. Staff members have been told that this move is due to building safety concerns. The DLAS will relocate to 2900 Agricola Street for two years pending the development of plans to return to the Gottingen Street neighbourhood.

“What would you do if you had to choose between your child’s medication and your rent?” Protesters want eviction ban extended

June 30, 2020

One day before the COVID-19 eviction moratorium is set to end some twenty to thirty protesters gathered at Province House in downtown Halifax to call for extended protections for vulnerable renters in Nova Scotia.

Housing advocates worry that end of eviction moratorium will render thousands homeless

June 25, 2020

With the eviction moratorium widely expected to end on July 1st, thousands of Nova Scotia households may face eviction for rent arrears or other reasons. Both Dalhousie Legal Aid and ACORN Nova Scotia are raising the alarm and proposing solutions.

PSA: Dalhousie Legal Aid Service: Statement against anti-Black racism

June 8, 2020

All staff and law students at Dalhousie Legal Aid Service are speaking out against the violent loss and continued oppression of Black lives in both Canada and the United States. It is important that institutions show their solidarity with local, national and international groups who are working to end anti-Black racism.

Kendall Worth: The new normal and income assistance recipients

June 3, 2020 1 Comment

“When will the various places the poor depend on, not only for meals but also for getting out and socializing, reopen?”
Kendall Worth on all the super important things poor people relied on that disappeared when COVID-19 started,

CERB rules leave income assistance recipients confused and worried

May 7, 2020 6 Comments

Last month Community Services told Income Assistance recipients who qualify that they must apply for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). We are hearing that this decision has raised many questions and quite a bit of anxiety.

PSA: Dalhousie Legal Aid wants your feedback on proposed poverty law course

May 9, 2019 3 Comments

Dalhousie Legal Aid Service is restarting its Legal Education for Advocates Project (LEAP), which is meant to help train advocacy workers in legal issues related to poverty law.

In an effort to gain a better view of the whole picture, we would like to reach out to the general community to figure out what legal issues people believe need to be addressed most with advocacy staff.

Community Services trounced once again in Nova Scotia Court of Appeal

July 27, 2018 3 Comments

The Nova Scotia Court of Appeal has ruled that Community Services cannot refuse to pay a welfare recipient for suitable housing just because the rent exceeds the shelter allowance. We talk to Dalhousie Legal Aid lawyer lawyer Claire McNeil, who argued the case, and community legal aid worker Fiona Traynor, about the scope of this milestone decision.