Legal services for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors and service providers

Pro bono legal services

Pro bono is a Latin phrase for professional work undertaken voluntarily and without payment.

Pro Bono Students Canada

Pro Bono Students Canada (PBSC) provides free legal support to people and communities facing barriers to justice.

The University of Victoria’s PBSC Chapter (PBSC UVic) places law student volunteers with community organizations to support access to justice. Read more here: PBSC UVic Project Guide 2023-2024.

The Office of the Seniors Advocate (OSA) of British Columbia is an independent office of the B.C. provincial government acting in the interest of seniors and their caregivers. The staff of OSA asked their intern law students to prepare a report for the Dignity Seniors Society (DSS).

In 2023-2024 PBSC UVic completed deliverables for the PBSC project on advance care planning for 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors (legal challenges and considerations). The staff of the Office of the Seniors Advocate BC asked their intern law students to prepare this report for us (DSS).

Advance Care Planning for 2SLGBTQ+ Seniors:

Qmunity

QMUNITY, B.C.'s Queer, Trans and Two-Spirit resource centre, offers Seniors & Older Adults Services </a>, and the Friendly Visitors program which connects a senior with a volunteer.

In the near future QMUNITY will be offering a pro bono 2SLGBTQIA+ legal clinic! 🥳

  • Update (2024-Sep-03) Introducing Didi Dufresne (he/she/they), QMUNITY's new legal clinic director

Seniors First BC

Seniors First BC is a charitable, non-profit society that provides information, advocacy, and support to seniors across B.C. who are dealing with issues affecting their well-being.

Seniors First BC’s Elder Law Clinic offers pro bono legal advice to eligible older adults (55+) residing in B.C. on a wide range of legal matters, including:

• Preparing Advance Planning documents, such as wills, powers of attorney, and representation agreements.
• Explaining legal proceedings and what to expect in court.
• Reviewing court documents.
• Preparing cases and submissions.
• Representation at certain court hearings.
• Assistance in matters of adult guardianship.
• General legal advice.

“While we do not offer legal services in either family or criminal law, we can direct persons to organizations who may be able to assist.”

Related DSS content