For over 50 years, all Queen’s University undergraduate students have had free access to legal services provided by Queen’s Legal Aid (QLA). Like all other clients of this clinic, undergraduate students receive sound legal advice and representation from Queen’s Law student caseworkers who are closely supervised by experienced lawyers. The extension of this “legal insurance policy” is being asked in the AMS referendum on October 30 and 31.  

QLA Director Blair Crew lays out the facts about what the referendum question is all about.  

Why is it important for Queen's undergraduate students to have free access to legal services offered by Queen's Legal Aid?

Most people never think they will need legal assistance. We provide a wide range of services of relevance to Queen’s students, from helping with problematic landlords and problems with your employer to helping to fight against penalties laid by the Kingston police. For Queen’s students, we also provide a free service of signing affidavits for OSAP applications, letters of invitation to visit Canada, and grad school applications. You never know how much you need access to free legal advice until you need it!

What is at risk in the AMS referendum vote to reaffirm the $6.00 student fee to QLA?

Under our funding agreement with Legal Aid Ontario, we can only provide services to students if we have a funding arrangement with the AMS in place. Queen’s Legal Aid would not be allowed to provide services to AMS members whose family incomes are above the poverty line if the QLA levy, which has been in place for over 30 years, were not in place.  

Who faces the greatest risks without assistance from QLA?

Students from equity-seeking groups are probably at the greatest risk. The justice system has historically provided the greatest protections for those who least need the protection from the law. Young people, members of Black, Indigenous, and People of Colour communities, and those who do not see themselves as “part of the mainstream” often turn to QLA for help in making their voices heard in the legal system.

University is stressful! This can lead to students who are facing challenges to their mental health needing to cope with complex legal issues at a time when their resources to cope are most depleted. At times like this, I think it is helpful to have enthusiastic law students reassure clients that “we’ve got your back.”

What type of legal aid services are in greatest demand by Queen's undergraduate students and how does QLA help?

Kingston has an old housing stock and a few unresponsive landlords, so our greatest demand for services relates to student tenancies.  Over half of the students who turn to us need assistance with housing matters.    

This goes beyond QLA just providing legal advice to help students learn about their rights as tenants. It extends to QLA actually representing student clients at the Landlord and Tenant Board and Small Claims Court.  

How has the demand for free legal aid services by Queen's undergraduate students changed over the past three years?

Unfortunately, with the introduction of the City of Kingston’s Administrative Monetary Penalty regime, we have been helping many students navigate a system that can result in automatic penalties of up to $2,000, even though traditional protections, like the presumption of innocence, do not apply.

We are often successful in having these penalties waived or reduced to a level that is more reasonable for people who are looking forward to just starting their career.

More recently, as rental rates have skyrocketed, we have been dealing with many more cases where landlords attempt to either increase the rent charged to students illegally, or, worse yet, situations where landlords try to illegally evict tenants, so that the landlord can charge whatever rent they want!  

What other types of issues does QLA help Queen's students with?

As noted, we also provide assistance with employment law matters, Small Claims Court claims and defences, serious Highway Traffic Act charges, and human rights claims. We also assist students with final-level appeals on academic matters at Queen’s, including in appeals to the University Student Appeal Board.  

How has demand for QLA services changed over the past few years?

Over Queen’s Legal Aid’s 50-year history, usually about 20 per cent of our clientele have been Queen’s students, primarily undergrads. Since the last ratification of the QLA student interest fee, over 38 per cent of our clients have been Queen’s students, even though students provide only 15 per cent or our operating funds.  

What can Queen's undergraduate students do to keep free access to QLA services?

Queen’s undergraduate students can be sure to vote in the AMS referendum on October 30 and 31, and vote “yes” to the $6.00 QLA student interest fee!  This is definitely the lowest bill for legal fees you will ever pay!

Is there anything else Queen’s undergraduate students should know about QLA services?

Tell your classmates and friends about the AMS referendum and the valuable free services QLA provides!