Public Interest Law Centre (PILC)

As a follow up to the Families First Report, prepared in collaboration with families, survivors, and the Coalition of the MMIWG.

PILC is representing the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The ultimate objective of our client is to end violence against First Nation women and girls and to keep them safe.

PILC is representing an individual at the Social Services Appeal Board (SSAB) who has been deemed ineligible for Community Living Disability Services (CLDS). The individual will be relying on their Charter rights to argue before the SSAB that the criteria that a cognitive impairment must manifest prior to the age of 18 years old is discriminatory and contrary to the equality provision of the Charter. On behalf of our client, we are asking the SSAB to use its discretion to deem our client eligible for CLDS as the criteria is discriminatory.

Photo by: Shannon VanRaes

Guided by Elders and Knowledge Holders, we are seeking judicial review before the Federal Court of Appeal of a cabinet decision that authorized a multi-billion dollar pipeline without respect for Indigenous legal orders, preventing Indigenous peoples and nations from being meaningfully heard.

We are representing a coalition of Manitoba consumers and low-income groups in a pending rate application by Manitoba Hydro that is over four times the rate of inflation.

JASON HALSTEAD / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Lawyer Joelle Pastora Sala (Public Interest Law Centre), left, Amy Hampton and David Kron of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba with Hampton’s dog Chase at Ten Ten Sinclair Housing Inc. on March 23, 2017. Hampton and Tyler Sylvester (not pictured) are pursuing a case with the Manitoba Human Rights Commission. (See Sanders story)

We have filed human rights complaints on behalf of two young adults with severe physical disabilities who wish to challenge the inequitable patchwork of the most basic of services for individuals once they reach adulthood. For more information, please visit www.lockedoutoflife.com.

Working with a family, we have brought a challenge to the policies of the Hanover School Division, which fail to recognize the realities of same-sex and gender diverse families and students.

On behalf of Winnipeg Harvest, PILC is working to ensure that all Manitobans realize socio-economic inclusion. With pro bono partners, we presented our legal and legislative strategy for the achievement of a basic income guarantee to the Fifteenth Annual North American Basic Income Guarantee Congress.

We are working to ensure that all adults and children living with disabilities on First Nations have equal access to mobility, education, health services, and supports.

On behalf of families of persons living with disabilities on reserve, we are undertaking two Canadian Human Rights Commission complaints related to the denial of equal access.

PILC and the Independent Living Resources Centre have carried out research showing that Handi-Transit is inaccessible and unequal compared to general public transit service. Handi-Transit services are unavailable at key times of the day and consumers are often delivered late to medical or employment appointments. On the basis of these concerns, a complaint has been filed with the office of the Manitoba Ombudsman.