Pathways to Prosperity: Canada

Surveys about legal problems and needs are undertaken in countries around the world. In 2021, the Canadian Legal Problems Survey (CLPS) was conducted to identify the kinds of serious legal problems people face, how they attempted to resolve them, and how these experiences have impacted their lives. This survey was conducted by Statistics Canada on behalf of the Department of Justice Canada and other federal departments.

The CLPS is the latest legal needs survey conducted in Canada. Previously, the survey was conducted in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2014.

A Series of Qualitative Studies on Serious Legal Problems

To complement the CLPS, community-based researchers were contracted to conduct a series of qualitative studies to explore and report on the experiences of specific populations in different parts of Canada who have experienced a serious legal problem. The following reports provide an in-depth qualitative look at the problems experienced by recent immigrants and how they dealt with them.

• A Qualitative Look at Serious Legal Problems Facing Immigrants in London and Toronto, Ontario
  This qualitative study explores recent immigrants’ experiences with serious legal problems in Canada, such as consumer debt, employment-related problems, and problems with neighbours, family, and discrimination. The researchers conducted qualitative interviews in mid to late 2020 with recent immigrants living in London and Toronto, Ontario.
• A Qualitative Look at Serious Legal Problems Faced by Immigrants in Greater Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia
  This study gathers information from immigrant communities in Greater Victoria and the Vancouver area to gain insight into how immigrants navigate serious legal problems. The researchers conducted qualitative interviews with newcomers and established immigrants between July and November 2020