The Canadian Bar Association launches a pro bono initiative for Ukrainians

  • March 07, 2022

Ottawa, March 7, 2022 – Lawyers in the CBA Immigration Law Section are spearheading an initiative to provide services, without charge, to individuals affected by the crisis in Ukraine who wish to come to Canada.

These services include legal consultations and advice for those seeking to take advantage of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s facilitative initiatives and programs to bring eligible Ukrainian nationals to Canada.

Individuals affected by the current crisis in Ukraine who want to take advantage of these programs and are seeking legal advice can find the list of volunteer lawyers on the Pro Bono Initiative – Crisis in Ukraine page.

Quick facts

  • The United Nations says more than 1.5 million people have already fled Ukraine due to the hostilities in the country.
  • The federal government unveiled two programs last week to make it easier for Ukrainian refugees to seek safety in Canada.
  • 14 volunteer lawyers will be offering their services.
  • Since 2005, the Immigration Law Section has offered pro bono services in times of natural or political disaster. In September 2021, the Section launched the CBA Afghanistan pro bono initiative whereby 11 lawyers provided services to individuals affected by the crisis in Afghanistan.

Quotes

“The Canadian Bar Association is deeply troubled about Russia’s attack on the territorial sovereignty of Ukraine, which is a serious breach of peremptory norms of international law and the laws of Ukraine. We welcome the government’s intention to prioritize immigration applications for Ukrainians and we want to do our part to help.”

“I want to praise the work done by the Immigration Law Section. In times of crisis, they are always ready to offer their knowledge and skill to provide legal services at no cost to help welcome vulnerable individuals to Canada.”

- CBA President Stephen Rotstein

Related links

Pro Bono Initiative – Crisis in Ukraine

About the Canadian Bar Association

The CBA is dedicated to support for the rule of law and improvement in the law and the administration of justice. Some 36,000 lawyers, notaries in Quebec, law teachers and law students from across Canada are members.


For more information, contact:

Vanessa Racine
Manager, Media Relations and Public Affairs
613-237-2925 x153
vanessar@cba.org