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Fraser Milner Casgrain LLP (FMC) is proud of our deep tradition of giving to our community. We believe that donating our time and expertise to people who need legal assistance and cannot afford to pay a lawyer enriches both our people and our role in the communities where we practise. With members from all of our practice areas, our active Pro Bono Committee seeks opportunities for all of our professionals to provide pro bono services and ensures we reach the objectives in our Pro Bono Policy.
We value the opportunity to handle pro bono matters for individuals and organizations with limited means, understanding how much donating our time helps our pro bono clients and brings us in return. Our pro bono work contributes to our professional development and our professionals’ desire to make a long lasting and positive impact on the communities we serve. Everyone at FMC supports these projects from start to finish, knowing that our dedication to pro bono services strengthens FMC’s positive and forward-thinking culture – a culture we believe has always been critical to our success.
In addition to the many individuals we have represented, we strive to develop relationships with organizations that help connect us with those in need. The following highlights some of our pro bono work.
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Hike Ontario
FMC lawyers in our Ottawa office have provided pro bono assistance to Hike Ontario, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to encourage walking, hiking and trail development in Ontario.
Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC)/FMC Tax Court of Canada Pilot Project
FMC is proud to partner with Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) to launch a pilot project for the pro bono representation by students of self-represented litigants before the Tax Court of Canada. PBSC and FMC will pilot the project at the University of Toronto chapter of PBSC. This project is the first of its kind in Canada and has already garnered recognition for its innovation, winning the 2011 Lexpert Zenith Award for Law Firm Contribution to Legal Education. The goal is to expand the project to all cities across Canada where PBSC has chapters and where FMC has offices, including Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Ottawa and Montreal.
Asian Society for the Intervention of Aids (ASIA)
FMC lawyers in our Vancouver office provided pro bono insolvency and wind up assistance to the Asian Society for the Intervention of Aids (ASIA). Since 1995, ASIA has promoted the health of Asian communities by decreasing the impact of HIV/AIDS through multilingual, culturally appropriate services.
Montréal International Sustainable Trading Post
As a result of a Leave for Change posting in Burkina Faso, one of FMC's Ottawa partners is working with and providing the pro bono legal services for the Centre for International Studies and Cooperation ("CECI") to set up the Montréal International Sustainable Trading Post, a federal non-profit company to promote and develop shea butter and other products with the goal of creating economic benefits for the producers, communities, environment and economies of the partnering countries of West Africa.
Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
FMC lawyers in our Calgary office are showing their support for the arts by providing pro bono assistance to the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, a cornerstone of Calgary’s multi-faceted arts community
Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) Investing in Justice Campaign
In addition to providing pro bono legal services through various PBLO projects, FMC is a founding leadership contributor to PBLO's Investing in Justice Campaign designed to fund PBLO programs and services that collectively provide critical legal assistance to tens of thousands of low-income and disadvantaged Ontarians.
Cangrands Kinship Support Group
In relation to our Social Benefits Tribunal case work, FMC has recently been retained to provide pro bono legal assistance to Cangrands, a national non-profit organization concerned about eligibility issues in respect of the temporary care allowance under the Ontario Works Act for low income grandparents caring for their grandchildren.
Ontario Child Advocacy Project
Working with the Ontario Child Advocacy Project, we represent special needs children and their families to safeguard their public education rights in disputes with their schools. Our work includes protecting children from unfair dismissal from the classroom for emotional and intellectual disabilities and behavioural issues, ensuring access to appropriate special education services for children, and filing complaints with the Ontario Human Rights Commission. The Child Advocacy Project is a joint pro bono initiative of Pro Bono Law Ontario, The Advocates' Society and Justice for Children and Youth, the province's specialty legal clinic for youth under 18. Most recently, an FMC partner in our Ottawa office successfully represented an 11-year-old client before the Special Education Appeal Board and an Ottawa school board in her quest to remain in a specialized learning disability class. For more information, please read the news release.
The International Alliance for Women (TIAW)
FMC lawyers in our Toronto office provide pro bono assistance to The International Alliance for Women (TIAW) in respect of corporate and tax law issues. TIAW is a not-for-profit organization that seeks to encourage, develop, fund and implement programs that foster economic empowerment and advancement for women around the world.
Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre
FMC lawyers in our Toronto office provided pro bono assistance to the Fairlawn Neighbourhood Centre with respect to GST and HST issues.
Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights
Lawyers in our Toronto office worked with Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights (CLAIHR) and the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in drafting a submission to the Canada Revenue Agency, which resulted in the acceptance of CLAIHR’s application to re-register as a charity under the Income Tax Act. CLAIHR seeks to contribute to the protection of human rights globally through carrying out and commissioning legal analyses of international human rights, contributing to the advancement of education of Canadians on human rights issues, and using and developing international human rights instruments and institutions both domestically and internationally.
Chelsea Ocelots Women's Recreational Soccer Team
An FMC partner in our Ottawa office helped prepare all materials in support of a successful appeal to The Canadian Soccer Association by Québec resident members of a senior women's recreational soccer team, whose requests to the Association Regional de Soccer de l'Outaouais for interprovincial transfers and releases to play in the recreational women's division of the Ottawa Carleton Soccer League were denied.
Uniterra’s Leave for Change Program
FMC lawyers have used their legal skills and knowledge to help non-governmental organizations in developing countries through their participation in Leave for Change, one of Canada’s leading international volunteer programs. The program was started by Uniterra, with whom FMC is partnered. In our first year of partnership, FMC lawyers provided services in three different countries. In Botswana, one FMC lawyer revised commercial contracts and deeds of trust for community-based organizations and another supported an organization's internal legal counsel by analyzing legislation regarding women and children. In Guatemala, an FMC lawyer trained a board of directors on governance and organizational best practices, and in Burkina Faso, an FMC partner reviewed agreements for a 3,000 member shea butter cooperative whose product is certified both fair trade and organic. Follow FMC member’s journeys on the Leave for Change Blog.
Social Benefits Tribunal (SBT)
FMC successfully represented grandparents before the SBT in their appeal of a decision to cancel benefits under the Ontario Works Act for their grandson’s care. The successful representation in this case resulted in FMC being honoured with a Platinum-level 2010 Lexpert Zenith Award: Celebrating Pro Bono in the "Political Pro Bono" category. The SBT’s decision has already had significant impact on future cases before the tribunal, as less than one year after the initial victory, FMC successfully represented a second grandmother in an appeal before the tribunal. The SBT's decision in this second successful appeal along with its initial decision sends a clear message to the Ontario government and social service administrators that their practices are out of step with the law. For more information, please read the news releases on the initial and subsequent cases.
TransFair Canada Inc.
Lawyers in our Ottawa and Toronto offices are supervising Pro Bono Students Canada volunteers placed with TransFair Canada Inc. to update and amend its Canadian licensing contract, obtain charitable status, and review its governing structure and bylaws. TransFair Canada Inc. is a not-for-profit certification and public education organization that works to expand the market for Fair Trade Certified products in Canada.
PBLO Ontario Court of Appeal Amicus Duty Counsel Roster
FMC advocates in Toronto are participating in a new PBLO project to assist unrepresented litigants and Court of Appeal judges by serving as amicus duty counsel on motions pending appeal in the Ontario Court of Appeal.
Out on Bay Street
FMC lawyers in Toronto are helping Out on Bay Street incorporate as a not-for-profit and obtain charitable status under the Income Tax Act. Out on Bay Street is a student-run organization that hosts an annual conference for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender students to network and gain access to information about careers on Bay Street.
Human Rights Legal Support Centre (HRLSC)
Lawyers in our Toronto office are volunteering with HRLSC. This centre, funded by the Ontario government, opened its doors in 2008, and offers legal services to individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination. HRLSC volunteers help individuals apply to the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario to resolve their human rights disputes.
Pro Bono Quebec (PBQ)
FMC lawyers in our Montréal office are involved with Pro Bono Quebec.
International Legal Foundation (Canada)
Lawyers in our Vancouver office have worked with the International Legal Foundation (Canada) in its effort to incorporate. The federal organization seeks to help post-conflict countries, like Afghanistan and Nepal, establish fair criminal justice systems through free legal services to those in need and programs for those involved in re-establishing and running the criminal justice system.
Lawyers Without Borders
Our Ottawa office represented the Lawyers Without Borders organization in a challenge against its registered trade-mark.
Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) Small Claims Court Duty Counsel Project
Several FMC litigators are providing pro bono legal representation to individuals through PBLO’s Small Claims Court Duty Counsel Project in Toronto and Ottawa.
Smiling Land Foundation
In addition to giving general advice, FMC helped the Smiling Land Foundation incorporate and register as a charitable corporation. Based in Ontario, the foundation raises money for a range of causes in Newfoundland and Labrador, including raising money for the Daffodil House residence for cancer patients travelling to Saint John for treatment.
Toronto Jewish Free Loan Casa
We provide services to the Toronto Jewish Free Loan Casa, an organization that offers interest-free personal, business and student loans to individuals in need.
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council (TRIEC)
FMC lawyers in Toronto helped TRIEC obtain charitable status. Through a number of programs, TRIEC helps skilled immigrants enter the Canadian workforce. Click here to read more.
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Pro Bono Law Alberta (PBLA) Small Claims Court Duty Counsel Pilot Project
As one of the founding participants in the PBLA Small Claims Court Duty Counsel Pilot Project, several FMC lawyers in Calgary provide pro bono legal representation to those individuals requesting assistance. The FMC Edmonton office will also be participating in the program which begins in Edmonton in January 2012.
REACH Canada
Lawyers in our Ottawa office provide ongoing pro bono legal services through REACH Canada, an organization aimed at improving the lives of persons with disabilities.
Pride at Work Canada
Founding member and only law firm Corporate Partner of and pro bono legal counsel to Pride at Work Canada/Fierte au travail Canada, a professional organization whose mandate is to support the LGBT community at workplaces across Canada.
United Way
Working with the organization for many years in all of our offices, we initially helped the United Way incorporate in the Greater Toronto Area in 1956 and more recently helped the United Way of Ottawa revise its by-laws. We currently act as honorary counsel to the United Way, advising on numerous corporate, intellectual property and trade marks, pensions, labour and employment, litigation, trust and estate, tax and real estate matters.
The Advocates' Society's LSUC Pro Bono Duty Counsel
Through The Advocates' Society's Pro Bono Duty Counsel project, our lawyers volunteer as duty counsel to unrepresented lawyers appearing before the Law Society of Upper Canada’s Hearing Panel in disciplinary proceedings.
Altruvest
We provide pro bono legal services to Altruvest, an organization dedicated to improving the governance of charitable organizations in Canada. Our lawyers have also served on Altruvest’s Board of Directors for the past several years.
Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa
FMC serves as Honorary Legal Counsel to the Boys and Girls Club of Ottawa.
Dorothy Ley Hospice
In addition to serving as Past President and members of the Board of Directors for the Dorothy Ley Hospice in Toronto, FMC lawyers have provided corporate, real estate and employment legal advice and services in a range of matters associated with opening the hospice’s new free-standing residential palliative care centre. Most recently, we have helped the hospice with legal matters relating to the construction and development of the new facility and also with employment law advice for the hospice's expansion and move into the new palliative care centre, including preparing employment agreements, advising on the hiring process, and streamlining its employment, volunteer and human resources policies and procedures.
Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
Lawyers in our Toronto office have served as Honorary Legal Counsel and provided services since 1980.
Northern Magic Fund
Our lawyers provide pro bono legal advice to the Northern Magic Fund, an organization that gives funding to African Schools.
Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) Law Help Ontario
Litigators in our Toronto and Ottawa offices provide a range of services to unrepresented litigants with civil cases before the Superior Court of Ontario, through PBLO’s Law Help Ontario, Ontario’s first court-based self-help centre for low-income litigants. In this way, our lawyers help low income litigants represent themselves more effectively.
Pro Bono Law Ontario (PBLO) Appeals Assistance Project
Working with PBLO, litigators in our Ottawa office represent litigants, on a pro bono basis, before the Ontario Court of Appeal, Divisional Court, and the Federal Court of Appeal as part of the Appeals Assistance Project.
Law Society of Alberta Pro Bono Committee
An FMC lawyer serves as a member of the Law Society of Alberta’s Pro Bono Committee.
Pro Bono Law Alberta
Actively involved with Pro Bono Law Alberta, FMC lawyers have served on the Board as members and current Vice President in addition to providing direct legal services and advice to the organization.
Calgary Legal Guidance
FMC lawyers have volunteered with Calgary Legal Guidance, an organization that provides free legal advice to low income people, and have served as members and past Chair of the Board.
Edmonton Symphony Society
An FMC partner provides pro bono legal services as General Counsel for the Edmonton Symphony Society.
Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation
An FMC partner provides pro bono legal services as General Counsel for the Edmonton Concert Hall Foundation.
Edmonton Community Legal Centre
Our lawyers have served as volunteer lawyers, as well as Chair and member of the Board of Directors, for the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, formerly the Edmonton Centre for Equal Justice.
Edmonton Women’s Shelter
Our lawyers provide volunteer legal services to the Edmonton Women’s Shelter, a charity that helps women and children who are victims of domestic violence.
British Columbia Coalition of Persons with Disabilities
Lawyers in our Vancouver office have provided a range of pro bono legal services to the British Columbia Coalition of Persons with Disabilities.
Pro Bono Law Association of British Columbia (PBLBC)
FMC lawyers are involved with both the Pro Bono Law Association of British Columbia and British Columbia Access to Justice.
Salvation Army British Columbia Pro Bono Program
Our lawyers regularly volunteer at the Salvation Army British Columbia Pro Bono Program’s legal clinic in Vancouver.
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National Capital Ouatouis Ski Team
In Ottawa, FMC lawyers represented the National Capital Ouatouis Ski Team before the Tax Court and Federal Court of Appeal.
Appellate Work
In Quebec, we have handled numerous pro bono appeals for individuals who could not afford a lawyer, including Blais v. MNR (Tax Court of Canada), Duclos v. Bélanger (Quebec Superior Court), Williamson v. Sous-ministre du Revenu du Québec (Court of Quebec), and a custody dispute in Lacroix v. Valois in the Supreme Court of Canada. Our Vancouver office also handled a pro bono appeal for the Women’s Legal and Education Action Fund (LEAF), an organization dedicated to ensuring that Canadian legal institutions and government agencies uphold the Charter rights of women and girls and educating the public on gender equality issues.
Centre for Spanish Speaking People (CSSP)
The CCSP legal aid clinic provides summary advice and representation to Spanish speaking people on a variety of issues people living in poverty typically face. In addition to helping the clinic preserve its funding by convincing Legal Aid Ontario of the clinic’s access to qualified lawyers to supervise its front-line services, we helped a client establish entitlement to Canada Pension Plan ("CPP") disability benefits.
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Did you know?
Thanks to
Douglas Stewart's dedicated pro bono legal services, FMC is honoured with a Platinum-level 2010 Lexpert Zenith Award: Celebrating
Pro Bono in the “Political Pro Bono” category for our successful representation of Oshawa grandparents before Social Benefits Tribual.
Click here to view full news release.
FMC lawyers provided pro bono legal services instrumental to the United Against AIDS benefit concert held in Montréal November 28, 2007. The concert’s proceeds went to UNICEF Canada for its United for Children, United Against AIDS campaign.
Former partner, The Honourable Judge John T. Henderson and current partner
Carman Overholt exemplify
pro bono leadership receiving prestigious awards. The Honourable Judge John T. Henderson is honoured with the 2010
Pro Bono Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding
pro bono contributions while a partner at FMC. Click
here to view full news release. Current FMC partner Carman Overholt is honoured with the prestigious 2007 CBA's Harry Rankin
Pro Bono Q.C. Award. Click
here to view full news release.