 |
| Justin D. Rochester |
This collaboration is rooted in respect, purpose and a shared commitment to access to justice.
The Ontario Association of Black Paralegals and Paralegal Town Hall express its deep concern regarding the recommendation to suspend the law clerk and paralegal programs at Algonquin College.
We want to begin from a place of understanding. Ontario’s colleges are navigating an undeniably difficult and precarious period. Fiscal pressures, shifting enrolment patterns and evolving mandates are real. The people making these decisions are not doing so lightly. We recognize that, and we approach this conversation with humility and with a genuine appreciation for the role our public colleges play in creating pathways to opportunity.
But we must also speak clearly and constructively about what is at stake.
The paralegal diploma programs are not simply another line item in a budget. They are one of the most direct, practical and proven access-to-justice pipelines this province has.
When these programs are reduced or cut, the impact is not confined to a classroom.
It is felt by:
- The tenant who cannot afford counsel at a Landlord and Tenant Board hearing
- The worker navigating an employment claim
- The self-represented accused in a summary conviction matter
- The small business owner trying to understand their legal rights.
Paralegals are often the first and only point of entry into the justice system for thousands of Ontarians. Fewer programs today mean fewer licensees tomorrow. Fewer licensees mean less representation. And less representation means a wider and more painful access-to-justice gap, as well as overwhelmed and clogged courtrooms and hearings.
This is why we are so proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Lyschin (Liz) Smith and the Ontario Association of Black Paralegals (OABP), whose leadership, advocacy and tireless work continue to elevate this issue to where it belongs: at the centre of the provincial conversation about education, equity and justice.
Liz Smith and the OABP have been doing the difficult, often unseen work of ensuring that the voices of students, future licensees and the communities most affected are not only heard but respected. Their efforts remind us that this is about more than programs. It is about people. It is about pathways. It is about fairness.
This open letter is not a protest.
It is an invitation.
An invitation to work together.
An invitation to see paralegal education for what it truly is: a public good.
An invitation to protect a system that produces professionals who deliver affordable, competent and community-based legal services across Ontario.
We are proud to co-author this letter.
We are proud to stand with the OABP.
Because access to justice does not begin in a courtroom.
It begins in a classroom.
This letter was signed by: Lyschin (Liz) Smith, Chair — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; Scott Kennelly, Treasurer — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; Shenell Monteith, Board Member — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; Khadija Da Silva, Board Member — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; Alicia Clarke, Board Member — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; Benaiah Eche, Board Member — Ontario Association of Black Paralegals; J.P. Rodriques — Founder, Paralegal Town Hall; Justin Rochester — Founder, Paralegal Town Hall.
Justin D. Rochester is a paralegal with over eight years of experience in the area of summary offences, and over 7,000 appearances logged before the courts acting as an agent for counsel and for his own matters. He is also teaching in the paralegal program at Centennial College and implemented the Centennial Moot Cup, alongside J.P. Rodrigues.
The opinions expressed are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s firm, its clients, Law360 Canada, LexisNexis Canada or any of its or their respective affiliates. This article is for general information purposes and is not intended to be and should not be taken as legal advice.
Interested in writing for us? To learn more about how you can add your voice to Law360 Canada, contact Analysis Editor Peter Carter at peter.carter@lexisnexis.ca or call 647-776-6740.