Section Two:
Module Seven: Tools for Advocates

Key Considerations:
The advocacy process can be enhanced by knowing and understanding some of the roles that various groups or authorities play in the advocacy process. The aim of this module is to provide the group with a fund of knowledge that can be called upon as required. Each participant may choose when and where to use these tools. What is worth pointing out is that what one is not ready to do today, one may be ready to do tomorrow or even in two months. Make sure that the participants get a firm grasp of the procedures.

1. Legal and Legislative Advocacy and the Court Challenges Program
It is very important to have access to appropriate legal representation for people who believe their rights are being violated, or in cases where people feel they are being discriminated against. Sometimes, a person may feel that a particular law or action is unfair; he or she may want to take action to have that law changed. If that is the situation, the person will need assistance to research the case to see if there is enough evidence to take the matter to court in an attempt to change that particular law. This is where the Court Challenges Program comes into play. The Court Challenges Program is an independent organization. It provides assistance to a person or an organization that may otherwise be unable to afford the costs of a court action.

Background
The Court Challenges Program of Canada is a national non-profit organization that was established in 1994 to provide financial assistance for court cases that advance language and equality rights guaranteed under the Canadian Constitution. The Program was established by equality-seeking and official minority language organizations, along with some interested lawyers and academics. The ultimate goal of the Program is to provide individuals and groups the opportunity to pursue their rights through the court system.

The Court Challenges Program consists of a volunteer Board of Directors who oversee the administrative duties of the program. In addition, there are specialized, independent Panels to make decisions as to which projects or cases will be funded and in which amounts. The Language Rights Panel and the Equality Rights Panel are made up of experienced and knowledgeable individuals with a history of involvement in equality or language issues and community organizations.