For those appealing a written decision made by the Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation’s Internal Review Office regarding a bodily injury claim, the Claimant Advisor Office (“CAO”) can assist with filing a notice of appeal with the Automobile Injury Compensation Appeal Commission. The notice of appeal must be filed within 90 days. The Claimant Advisor can provide guidance on the details of the appeal process and evidence needed, carry out investigations and inspections, and represent participants at the appeal hearing. The CAO’s services are free, bilingual, accessible to clients with disabilities, and strictly confidential.
L. Kerry Vickar Business Law Clinic (“Clinic”) provides free legal assistance to small businesses, start-ups, entrepreneurs, and innovators. Services are available to family businesses, non-profit organizations, charities, and artistic, cultural, and community organizations who do not have a lawyer and cannot afford legal assistance in Manitoba. The Clinic is operated by law students, who are supervised by practising lawyers.
Legal Aid Manitoba (“LAM”) provides legal assistance to individuals who qualify financially and whose cases have merit. LAM provides services in the following areas: public interest matters, family, immigration and refugee, residential tenancies, child protection, mental health, and criminal matters. LAM’s lawyers regularly travel to more than forty communities surrounding Manitoba’s major cities.
The Public Interest Law Centre (“PILC”) provides representation to groups and individuals dealing with issues related to the environment, human rights, Indigenous people, and low-income persons. PILC takes individual cases related to residential tenancies and government benefits, as well as individual and/or group cases bringing public interest issues (such as environmental and human rights issues) that affects groups of Manitobans.
The Worker Advisor Office gives injured workers and their families free and confidential assistance as as they deal with the Workers Compensation Board of Manitoba (“WCB”). The Worker Advisor Office discusses workers’ options and their potential future steps, help workers prepare for their hearing, and may represent workers when the Worker Advisor Office determines that a reasonable argument can be made from the evidence in their WCB file.
NorWest Co-Op Community Health Centre’s Family Violence Program is available to individuals who have experienced family violence, are supporting children impacted by violence, or need assistance with safety planning, system navigation, or emotional support. Participants can live anywhere in Winnipeg. Services include (but are not limited to) domestic violence support and counselling, legal advice, information, and representation, and child and youth counselling.
Clinique Juridique Franco-Justice serves Manitoba’s francophone community by providing free legal services to francophone newcomers and settled francophones who are ineligible for legal aid. Clinique Juridique Franco-Justice’s services include summary legal advice, reviewing and drafting documents, selected on the record legal representation, and notary services. Additionally, the organization offers legal services to English-speakers from racialized communities.
The Community Unemployed Help Centre provides free information, advice, and representation to individuals navigating the Employment Insurance program and/or the Employment and Income Assistance program.
The Indigenous Court Worker Program of Manitoba (“Court Worker Program”) provides information about the court process to individuals who are in conflict with the law. The Court Worker Program offers support by explaining the court process, a person’s charges and, in some cases, attend court for the person on trial. The Court Worker Program have various offices across Manitoba, including in northern communities.
Infojustice Manitoba facilitates access to justice for French speakers by providing information in French. Infojustice Manitoba provides legal information, support and referrals to relevant legal, government and community organizations. These services are confidential and offered in person or by telephone.