On April 17, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms celebrates its 20th anniversary. Lawyers across the country are using this day to highlight the deficiencies in the legal aid system by staging a one day study session. While the Charter doesn't explicitly guarantee Canadians a right to legal aid, it does enshrine the principles of "equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination," the "right to a fair and public trial" and the "right to life, liberty and security of person."

Proponents of legal aid maintain that in order for these rights to be meaningful, all Canadians must have access to a lawyer -- that is, legal aid -- regardless of their ability to pay. Due to a variety of factors, including cuts to legal aid budgets, increased case loads, especially in the immigration and refugee field, frozen pay scales and fewer lawyers participating in the program, legal aid is no longer available to all that need it. Wednesday's counterSpin will examine if Canadians have a right to legal aid. Who should get free legal services and who should pay? Does the failure to provide legal aid violate other Charter rights? Should legal aid lawyers be paid a competitive market salary?

You are invited to join the on-air audience of Canada's leading current events debate show counterSpin, CBC Newsworld on Wednesday, April 17th and possibly contribute your point-of-view to this debate.

We are looking for a broad representation in the audience of ALL sides of these issues. Please forward this notice to members of your organization, colleagues, students and friends.

Space is limited, and seats are reserved on a first-come-first-service basis. Those wishing to be members of the on-air audience MUST PRE-REGISTER their attendance with me either via e-mail mw@counterspin.tv or by phone at T 416.703.1268.

Audience members are asked to arrive at CBC Building at 7 p.m. - 25 John Street entrance (between Wellington & Front Sts.), where you will be met by Audience Coordinator Nadine. The show concludes at 9 p.m.

Many thanks,

Myrocia Watamaniuk

Audience Producer

counterSpin

Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Evenings

8:00pm ET on CBC Newsworld

(repeat broadcast at 11:00pm ET)

T 416.703.1268

F 416.504.0329

www.counterspin.tv