On July 23^rd, 2016, as part of the Africville Reunion, Rickcola Brinton, Halifax Youth Office, attended an African Nova Scotian Resource event.  This event was attended by a number of different organizations that offer services to the African Nova Scotian community.  Rickcola is pictured here with Carlos Beals, who is a Senior Outreach Worker with CeaseFire Halifax, as well as the 2016 municipal candidate for Dartmouth District 6.  The event allowed both visibility in the community, as well as the opportunity to share Nova Scotia Legal Aid’s social justice offerings and outreach activities.  Some of the organizations present were Association of Black Social Workers, Human Rights Commission, CeaseFire Halifax, Nova Scotia Brotherhood Initiative, African Nova Scotian Affairs and more.

I am pleased to share with you that our Executive Director, Karen Hudson, QC, has been appointed as Deputy Minister of Justice effective August 8, 2016. This was made public today: http://novascotia.ca/news/release/?id=20160802007

Karen has been a tireless leader of the organization who inspired all who have worked with her and helped to revitalize NS Legal Aid and put into action our values of responsiveness, excellence and accountability. Karen’s efforts have helped position and enhance our modern legal aid program for sustainability.

I have every confidence in our Executive team (Megan, Barry, Jen and Shawn) to lead the organization in the interim until a new ED is chosen and also confidence in our Managing Lawyers to continue to manage our offices and deliver the critical services that Nova Scotians and the justice system have come to rely on.

On a personal note, I have worked closely with Karen and consider her a great colleague and friend. I know I speak for the entire Legal Aid family in saying that we will miss her but also wish her well in this new and challenging endeavour.

Don Harding, QC
Chair NSLA

Nova Scotia Legal Aid lawyers, staff and families took part in the Halifax Pride Parade held on Saturday, July 23^rd, 2016. We marched as part of the joint CBA NS and Nova Scotia Barristers’ Society float as well as with other organizations we work with in the community. Shown are photos of the team before the march and Tammy Wohler from the Dartmouth Family Office in action.

Morgan Manzer, freshly invigorated from his attendance at Toronto Pride on the July 1^st weekend, amped up his work with Halifax Pride in preparation for the Festival from July 14-24, 2016.

A Staff Lawyer with Nova Scotia Legal Aid and Board member with Halifax Pride, Morgan is seen here with Mayor Mike Savage and Councillor Jennifer Watts, introducing the city to the first Pride crosswalk or “Pridewalk” as coined by Mayor Savage. This year’s Festival theme, “This Is Why”, strives to answer the question of why Pride is still tremendously important.

“LGBTQ+ people continue to experience disadvantages and discrimination in employment. All LGBTQ+ persons should be afforded the same opportunity as me – to be able to bring their full selves to work and achieve their full professional potential. This is why Pride matters to me.” – Morgan Manzer

 

In celebration and recognition of National Aboriginal Day, Nova Scotia Legal Aid pleased to share our Aboriginal Justice Strategy:

AJ Strategy NSLA 2016-17