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. |