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Pro Bono Stories – Part 1
October 25, 2021Pro Bono Law Saskatchewan (PBLS) is celebrating Access to Justice Week by sharing stories from our volunteers. PBLS volunteers directly support low-income people in Saskatchewan who would otherwise not be able to access a lawyer.
Ashala Naidu, Naidu Legal
A few years ago, I helped a client make an application for permanent residency so that her mother could remain in Canada on Humanitarian and Compassionate Grounds. After many years and huge amounts of documents and disclosure, we were successful with the application. This family also had a very sick child at home, which made the application extremely important. I felt very rewarded in working with this family to successfully bring, and allow her mother to stay, in Canada.
The family was enormously thankful for the time and effort which I put into the Application. We continue to remain in contact to this day. Volunteering our time on legal matters is an important part of the work which we do, I am happy to continue to work with the PBLS and take on pro bono matters for vulnerable and in-need citizens in our communities!
Ashala Naidu volunteers with the Northern Rural Clinic as well as the Immigration and Refugee Panel.
Chris Veeman, Veeman Law
This year I took on a pro bono refugee file for a Uyghur woman living in Regina. I took it on a pro bono basis on the referral of PBLS. The facts and law applicable to the claim were clear and straightforward, as the dire situation facing the Uyghur in China (and particularly Uyghur women) are well documented. The claimant clearly met the Convention refugee definition. I was happy to be able to assist with this case, and it was rewarding when the Refugee Protection Division, on my request, streamed the case as not even needing a hearing. This happened soon after we prepared and filed evidence proving her ethnicity. All in all, this case did not require much from me – but the small procedural steps I was able to help with made a meaningful difference.
Chris Veeman volunteers on the Immigration and Refugee Panel.
Interested in volunteering or learning more? For PBLS, please visit pblsask.ca or email [email protected].