Multilingual resource helps newcomers in Nova Scotia navigate law and justice system

A new digital library providing multilingual legal resources has been launched in Nova Scotia, Canada, aiming to bridge the gap for newcomers navigating the province's legal and justice systems. The initiative, a partnership between the Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia (LISNS) and the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), offers guides and videos translated into nine languages.

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The Legal Information Society of Nova Scotia worked with HRM to create a suite of legal information resources for newcomers to Canada, and in particular youth and their families, about the criminal justice system.

The resource suite is specifically designed to assist newcomers, particularly youth and their families, in understanding the criminal justice system. Nicole Slaunwhite, a legal information counselor with LISNS, stated that the project was developed after the HRM's Youth Advocate Program identified that young newcomers often face disadvantages when learning about Canadian law. "We are trying to empower them by giving them information in their own language," said Shehab Mater, an HRM Immigrant Services advisor.

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We are trying to empower them by giving them information in their own language.

The digital library was launched in collaboration with Public Safety Canada and is intended to support Halifax as it grows and welcomes more international residents. Deputy Mayor Patty Cuttell highlighted the importance of public institutions adapting to serve a diverse population. The chosen languages, English, French, Arabic, Mandarin, Hindi, Spanish, Somali, Persian, and Ukrainian, were selected based on community consultations, demographic data, and focus groups with youth and resettlement service providers.

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Every year, people from around the world choose to make this region home. That diversity is one of our greatest strengths, but it also reminds us that our public institutions need to adapt and need to be accessible to everyone.

For those working with new Canadians, the project is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the anxieties immigrants face when adjusting to a new country. "It's a really difficult situation for a newcomer," Mater noted. "We think this project is a step in the right direction." The digital library can be accessed at legalinfo.org.

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It’s a really difficult situation for a newcomer. We think this project is a step in the right direction.