Today, James Bezan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of National Defence, announced on behalf of the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Canada’s support for a new project to help provide legal aid services to the most vulnerable in Ukraine:
Quality and Accessible Legal Aid ($9.76 million over five years)
Canada’s contribution to the Canadian Bureau for International Education will support Ukraine’s efforts to advance democracy and protect freedom and the rule of law. The project will help increase equitable access to the justice system for Ukrainian citizens, particularly the poor and other marginalized groups. Canada’s support through the new project will help Ukraine’s most vulnerable citizens become aware of services available to them through the country’s new legal aid system. The project will also support activities aimed at improving the quality of legal aid services, so that Ukraine’s citizens are able to protect their rights and interests through the court system.
Canada's development assistance program in Ukraine aims to support Ukrainian efforts to build a free, democratic and prosperous society by advancing democracy and promoting sustainable economic growth for all Ukrainians. Canada works to increase equitable access to justice for women and men, particularly those from marginalized groups. Canada also helps Ukraine to improve the participation of its citizens in public life and decision making, including through efforts to build a transparent and fair electoral environment and to strengthen media freedom.
Canada is among the strongest international supporters of Ukraine’s efforts to restore stability and implement democratic and economic reforms. In the face of ongoing Russian military aggression and illegal occupation, Canada has taken a number of steps to support the Ukrainian people as they work to restore political and economic stability, including imposing sanctions against those responsible for the ongoing crisis. Canada has also taken steps to enhance the readiness of NATO through a number of reassurance measures to reinforce the Alliance’s collective defense.
For further information on Canada’s response to the situation in Ukraine and our bilateral development assistance program in Ukraine visit the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada website.
