Legal Aid Ontario hires 3 Gladue writers for northeastern Ontario

CBC News has learned that Legal Aid Ontario is expanding Gladue writing services in northeastern Ontario.

Gladue reports provide background on the lives of Aboriginal people in conflict with the law.

Legal Aid Ontario will provide funding to Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto to hire the writer.

Jonathan Rudin with Aboriginal Legal Services in Toronto said hiring Gladue writers for Sudbury, North Bay and Sault Ste. Marie will reduce the long waiting list.

“It’s been a long time,” he said. “We’ve been advocating for this for a very, very long time, and we’re very pleased that Legal Aid Ontario has stepped up.”

Rudin said improved access to the publicly funded service will make it easier for judges and lawyers to be culturally sensitive.

There is one Gladue writer who works for the United Chiefs and Council of Manitoulin, but only those communities are served.

Will make a 'huge difference'

A Sudbury lawyer said the hiring of the three writers is overdue.

Barbara Burton is also the head of the Sudbury Native Women’s Association.

She said the move comes fifteen years after the Supreme Court made Gladue reports mandatory.

“We’re surrounded by reserves. How could this have taken so long?” she said.

“It’s a question of money and the priorities. Unfortunately, you can see the priorities [and] the priorities are not Aboriginal people.”

Burton said having a good Gladue writer in Sudbury will help change lives, especially for women.

“Without a Gladue report, there is no way of letting the court know what this particular woman has gone through, why they’re in front of the court and what can be done to help her,” she explained.

“That’s why I’m so very grateful that we’re finally going to get one. It’s going to make a huge difference.”

Legal Aid Ontario said the positions are mainly provincially funded.