We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Youth for Justice at Toronto Metropolitan University for standing in solidarity with us and for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness about Eli LaRue’s wrongful conviction and post-conviction struggles. Their encouragement to launch this petition, and their commitment to helping promote it, is a powerful reminder that change begins when communities come together to demand fairness and accountability.
As we continue Eli’s Faint Hope Clause and judicial review efforts, we are still being met with systemic barriers within the justice system — barriers that violate not only our constitutional rights but also the very principles Legal Aid BC is mandated to uphold.
Legal Aid BC’s Duty to Ensure Access to Justice
Under section 3 of the Legal Services Society Act, R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 30, Legal Aid BC (formerly Legal Services Society) is required “to provide legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner to help individuals resolve their legal problems and facilitate access to justice.”
Further, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 7, guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, and section 15 ensures equality before and under the law without discrimination.
When Legal Aid BC refuses or delays access to counsel for those seeking to challenge wrongful convictions or systemic injustices, it violates the spirit and intent of these constitutional protections.
Legal Aid BC’s public accountability also stems from its Access to Justice Mandate, which obliges it to ensure that Indigenous clients, persons with disabilities, and individuals facing systemic disadvantage are not denied meaningful participation in the legal system. By impeding Norman’s judicial review and failing to provide proper representation and assistance — despite the overwhelming public interest in his case — Legal Aid BC has become a bad actor in perpetuating barriers to justice.
Correctional Service Canada’s Role
Alongside this, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) continues to create administrative and procedural impediments— limiting access to documents, correspondence, and family visits — which further obstruct Eli’s ability to meaningfully engage with the courts and legal counsel. These ongoing actions undermine section 10(b) of the Charter, which guarantees the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay, as well as section 2(b), protecting freedom of expression and communication, including communication necessary for legal processes.
We want to extend our deepest gratitude to Youth for Justice at Toronto Metropolitan University for standing in solidarity with us and for their ongoing dedication to raising awareness about Eli LaRue’s wrongful conviction and post-conviction struggles. Their encouragement to launch this petition, and their commitment to helping promote it, is a powerful reminder that change begins when communities come together to demand fairness and accountability.
As we continue Eli’s Faint Hope Clause and judicial review efforts, we are still being met with systemic barriers within the justice system — barriers that violate not only our constitutional rights but also the very principles Legal Aid BC is mandated to uphold.
Legal Aid BC’s Duty to Ensure Access to Justice
Under section 3 of the Legal Services Society Act, R.S.B.C. 2002, c. 30, Legal Aid BC (formerly Legal Services Society) is required “to provide legal aid services in a cost-effective and efficient manner to help individuals resolve their legal problems and facilitate access to justice.”
Further, the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 7, guarantees the right to life, liberty, and security of the person, and section 15 ensures equality before and under the law without discrimination.
When Legal Aid BC refuses or delays access to counsel for those seeking to challenge wrongful convictions or systemic injustices, it violates the spirit and intent of these constitutional protections.
Legal Aid BC’s public accountability also stems from its Access to Justice Mandate, which obliges it to ensure that Indigenous clients, persons with disabilities, and individuals facing systemic disadvantage are not denied meaningful participation in the legal system. By impeding Eli’s judicial review and failing to provide proper representation and assistance — despite the overwhelming public interest in his case — Legal Aid BC has become a bad actor in perpetuating barriers to justice.
Correctional Service Canada’s Role
Alongside this, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) continues to create administrative and procedural impediments— limiting access to documents, correspondence, and family visits — which further obstruct Eli’s ability to meaningfully engage with the courts and legal counsel. These ongoing actions undermine section 10(b) of the Charter, which guarantees the right to retain and instruct counsel without delay, as well as section 2(b), protecting freedom of expression and communication, including communication necessary for legal processes.
Our Ongoing Fight
We are continuing to push for accountability and transparency from both Legal Aid BC and Correctional Service Canada. These agencies must not be allowed to deny the fundamental rights of Canadians — particularly Indigenous prisoners and their families — to access the courts, legal assistance, and fair hearings.
Our family continues to fight for Eli’s right to prove his innocence, and for the right of all Canadians to have equal access to justice without discrimination, bias, or institutional obstruction.
Thank you to everyone who continues to stand with us and share Eli’s story.
Together, we can help shine a light on systemic injustice and call for a justice system that truly serves everyone — not just those who can afford to fight for it.
In solidarity,
Jenni LaRue
(on behalf of Eli LaRue and family)
We are continuing to push for accountability and transparency from both Legal Aid BC and Correctional Service Canada. These agencies must not be allowed to deny the fundamental rights of Canadians — particularly Indigenous prisoners and their families — to access the courts, legal assistance, and fair hearings.
Our family continues to fight for Eli’s right to prove his innocence, and for the right of all Canadians to have equal access to justice without discrimination, bias, or institutional obstruction.
Thank you to everyone who continues to stand with us and share Eli’s story.
Together, we can help shine a light on systemic injustice and call for a justice system that truly serves