Understanding Justice
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In 2006, Reach Canada began a project entitled “Equality in Practice”. It involves initiatives and products to inspire law professionals and Canadians with disabilities and their organizations to work together in the interests of equality in Canada’s justice system. In association with the Canadian Paraplegic Association and The Canadian Association of Independent Living Centres, Reach Canada has developed: A Handbook on Disability for Law Professionals (English and French) Understanding Justice — A Consumer's Guide to the System, For Canadians With Disabilities (English and French) A Service Provider’s Companion to Disability and The Justice System (English and French) “Disability and Law” Resource Guide For Law Teachers (English) Promoting Responsive Legal Services for All Clients: A Guide for Student Legal Clinics on Accommodating Clients with Disabilities (English) Instructional Companion On Student Legal Clinic Services And Disability Issues (English) Audio CD (A Discussion About Justice in Canada) (English and French versions) All of these materials are available at www.reach.ca Understanding Justice A Consumer's Guide to the System — For Canadians With Disabilities In Canada, all citizens claim a right to live in a society that protects their equality, supports their independence and provides opportunities for full participation in community life. This includes all persons with a disability, and it translates into “justice for all” — in terms of rights and responsibilities, and freedoms and limitations. This consumer’s guide will help Canadians with disabilities understand the Canadian legal/judicial system, and encourage their responsible participation within it, on a personal and professional basis. DISCLAIMER The materials related to the Equality in Practice project are intended to provide information, but not to represent legal advice regarding the justice system in Canada. Anyone considering legal or similar proceedings should consult a law professional for appropriate direction. Developed for Reach Canada and their “Equality in Practice” project June, 2007 Acknowledgments: Reach Canada, in association with CAILC and CPA gratefully acknowledges the Department of Justice Canada and the Law Foundation of Ontario for their finan- cial support of the Equality in Practice project. We also appreciate the advice and expertise contributed by the following indi- viduals: Paula Agulnik, Sheridan Croft, Mel Graham, Marthe Lambert, Sam Okuru, Carolyn Marcotte, Alison Brooks, Cynthia Turpin, Joel Ayigah, Mauricio Ortiz, Carole Wil- lans-Théberge, Georges Proulx, Richard Nolan, Catherine Moore, Chantelle Bow- ers, Karen Richardson Jones, Aaron Marsaw, Ernie Tannis, Sonia Ouellet, Beverly Maclaren, Ahmad El-Moussawi, Meaza Negassi, David Hinton, Frank McNally, Traci Walters, Mike Murphy, Laura Ann Ross, Joshua Clarke, Colena Der, Joshua Goldberg, and Chris Clemmer. CHIN Radio International and Sound Ventures Inc. graciously provided technical support services for the audio products. We thank in particular, Charles A. “Skip” Brooks, the Project Manager, R. Allan McChesney, the Law Professional Coordinator, and Jim Turner, the Communica- tions Director. Michael Sousa President © Reach Canada Canada 2007 Reach Canada 400, rue Coventry Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1K 2C7 Phone: (613) 236-6636 TTY/ATS: (613) 236-9478 Fax: (613) 236-6605 Toll Free: 1 800 465-8898 e-mail: email: [email protected] website: www.reach.ca Comprehensive Table of Contents Disclaimer................................................................. inside cover page Introduction:..................................................................................... 1 Exploring Justice ............................................................................... 2 Synopsis ........................................................................................... 2 Part I (Discovering The Concept) ............................................... 2 Part II (Expanding The Perception) ............................................ 4 Part III (Setting Up A System) ................................................... 5 In Other Words… ...................................................................... 7 Setting The Canadian Stage ............................................................... 8 The Constitution, Charter And Rights.......................................... 8 Laws, Duties And Responsibilities............................................. 11 The Importance Of Accommodation................................. 12 Being Reasonable .................................................. 14 The Importance Of Understanding................................... 16 Plain Language ...................................................... 18 Consent ................................................................ 21 Criminal, Common, Civil — It's All Law.............................................. 22 Components Of The Justice System .................................................. 25 Agencies Commissions And Ombudsmen .................................. 26 Emerging Alternatives ............................................................. 28 Times Are Changing................................................................ 31 The Justice System Is On The Right Track ................................ 33 Representing Yourself In The Justice System..................................... 35 The Importance Of Keeping Good Records And A Paper Trail ..... 36 Dealing With Courts......................................................................... 38 Courts.................................................................................... 38 i More About Those Courts ........................................................ 40 Working With A Lawyer’s Assistance ................................................. 42 Just To Make You Smile… ........................................................ 43 Under Cross-Examination................................................ 43 Q’s And A’s..................................................................... 44 Little “Exchanges” .......................................................... 44 Serious Stuff About Lawyers .................................................... 45 Legal Aid And Pro Bono Legal Services ..................................... 46 Good To Know…Eh?......................................................................... 48 Money — Working For It.......................................................... 48 Retirement And Pensions ................................................ 49 Money — Not Working For It ................................................... 52 The Social Safety Net... Holes Tied Together With String... 52 Money — Concerns For The Future .......................................... 53 What About Bankruptcy? ................................................ 53 Taxes, Trusts 'N Stuff...................................................... 54 Prejudice, Discrimination And Harassment. ............................... 57 Abuse And Neglect.................................................................. 60 Contracts… Life Is Full Of Them ............................................... 64 Wills and Power of Attorney ............................................ 65 Marriage, Divorce And The Consequences – “Can Be Messy”...... 67 Dealing With The Police........................................................... 69 Going to Court........................................................................ 71 A Glossary Of Words With Legal Meanings ........................................ 74 Useful Sources And Resources.......................................................... 84 National Public Interest Organizations............................................... 84 Provincial Public Interest Organizations ............................................. 96 National Consumer Organizations On Disability................................ 131 ii Introduction: or many Canadians, understanding justice is difficult and even confusing. In our society, the justice system involves “F rules, arbitration, governments, judgements, police, courts, commissions, lawyers, and all sorts of ways for dealing with disputes. Still, we have trouble distinguishing justice from injustice in our relationships with one another and in our institutions.” — Ernest G. Tannis B.A., LL.B., C.Med This insight to the meaning of “justice” is a view often expressed by law professionals in Canada. Consumers and their organizations agree, as well, that justice is difficult to define and understand, because the concept is personal and based on an individual's beliefs and values. This Guide To The Justice System explores a commonly held meaning of justice, its administration in Canada and some of the particular issues of concern to citizens across the country. In some cases, special attention is given to matters related to disability. Throughout the Guide, there are opinions, observations and tips from “Ernie the Attorney”, a mythical character who bears an interesting resemblance to Ernest G, Tannis. Ernie is a practicing lawyer and strong advocate for alternative dispute resolution in Canada's justice system. 1 Exploring Justice Synopsis The following “Parable of the Cave People” is a make believe story that introduces several concepts related to a search for justice. It is a three-part story that stands alone as an allegory about how justice might have been developed by ordinary people who, despite their differences, have shared views of the world. These are based