Nova Scotia Legal Aid Improves Access to Justice Through Hire of Social Justice Support Worker for Cape Breton

Nova Scotia Legal Aid (NSLA) is pleased to announce its recent hire of Nora MacIntosh in a new role for NSLA as a Social Justice Support Worker (SJSW) for the Cape Breton region. The SJSW will play a significant role in delivering legal information to communities and clients and assisting clients navigating housing and income security administrative tribunal processes. The SJSW will provide a range of services to clients to ensure better client outcomes and improved access to justice.  She will be travelling to various communities throughout the Cape Breton region to meet with people and communities who face transportation barriers to accessing our services.

With respect to the impact this new role will have for people living in Cape Breton, Executive Director of NSLA, Megan Longley, QC, commented, ”We know that many people do not receive the information or help they need to understand their rights or the processes required when faced with legal issues. By having a dedicated person who will be going into communities to provide information and service, as well as offer support to other service providers, barriers faced by people with issues relating to their housing or income will be significantly reduced.”

Nora MacIntosh most recently worked with the Avalon Sexual Assault Center and was primarily responsible for drafting policy to protect the privacy interests of clients. She provided legal information and advocacy support to staff and clients navigating a broad range of legal issues. Nora is committed to advancing the rights of vulnerable communities and is a member of the Nova Scotia Rainbow Action Project and Board of Trustees for the Dalhousie Legal Aid Service sitting on the Community Development and Law Reform Committee.

The creation of the Social Justice Support Worker for Cape Breton is supported by a grant from the Law Foundation of Nova Scotia.

For more information, please contact Charlene Moore QC, Service Delivery Director, Nova Scotia Legal Aid at 902-420-6589, email: Charlene.Moore@nslegalaid.ca or visit the Nova Scotia Legal Aid website: www.nslegalaid.ca