"Free lawyer," "legal aid," and "pro bono" get used interchangeably, but they're three different programs with different rules — and no, there isn't a single federal one to call. This guide explains each program, clarifies the federal vs. provincial split, then lists the real phone number and website for all 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Three Ways to Get Free or Low-Cost Legal Help
1. Law Society Referral Service
Run by your province's Law Society (the regulator for lawyers). You describe your issue and get matched with a licensed lawyer or paralegal near you for a short first consultation — usually free, sometimes a flat $25–$30 fee. It is not government-funded: you pay for any work beyond that first consultation.
Best for: figuring out if you have a case and what it might cost, for any type of legal issue.
2. Legal Aid
A government-funded program in every province. If you meet the income and asset limits and your issue is a covered type — typically criminal charges, family law, and refugee/immigration cases, with some provinces also covering tenant disputes — legal aid can fund part or all of an actual lawyer to represent you, not just a consultation.
Best for: low-income applicants with a criminal, family, or immigration matter.
3. Pro Bono Programs
Independent non-profits (like Pro Bono Ontario or Access Pro Bono in BC) that organize volunteer lawyers to help with civil matters — housing, employment, consumer disputes — usually for free, with no government funding or income test as strict as legal aid's. Availability is limited and issue-specific.
Best for: civil issues like a landlord dispute or unpaid wages, regardless of income.
Free Legal Help by Province & Territory
Ontario
British Columbia
Alberta
Quebec
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
Nova Scotia
New Brunswick
Note: the Law Society of New Brunswick does not run a lawyer referral service — it offers a member directory only.
Prince Edward Island
Newfoundland & Labrador
Yukon
Northwest Territories
Nunavut
Federal-level legal aid — does it exist?
There's no single federal legal aid office you can call directly. Legal aid is delivered by each province and territory (listed above), but Justice Canada cost-shares part of the funding through agreements — including dedicated immigration and refugee (I&R) legal aid agreements with Ontario, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Quebec, Newfoundland & Labrador, and Nova Scotia, covering representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board or Federal Court.
If your matter is federal (e.g. a refugee claim or a federal offence), you still apply through your own province's or territory's legal aid plan above — not a separate federal line.
Where ComplaintCA Fits
ComplaintCA doesn't replace any of these organizations — the Lawyer & Civil Society panel in the app surfaces the right one for your specific issue and province, tags it as a referral, legal aid, or pro bono option, and can help you draft what you'll say before you call.
Not sure which of the three fits your situation? Ask Asya and get a direct answer.
Start with Asya Now →Frequently Asked
What is the Law Society Referral Service?
A free matching service from your province's Law Society that connects you with a lawyer or paralegal for a short first consultation — usually free or a small flat fee, but not funded legal representation.
What is the difference between a lawyer referral service and legal aid?
A referral service only sets up a brief consultation; you pay for further work yourself. Legal aid can fund actual representation, but only if you meet income limits and have a covered legal issue.
How much does legal aid cost in Canada?
It varies by province and income — many low-income applicants pay nothing, while others pay a contribution (e.g. roughly $25–$100 in BC, or $100–$800 in Quebec) based on income and family size.
Am I eligible for legal aid in Canada?
It depends on your household income/assets and whether your issue is a covered type — mainly criminal, family, and immigration/refugee matters, with some provinces also covering tenant disputes.
What is pro bono legal help?
Volunteer lawyers helping for free through an organized program, usually for civil issues like housing or employment, independent of government legal aid.
Is legal aid the same as a free lawyer?
Not exactly — legal aid can require a contribution, a referral service is only a free short consultation, and pro bono programs are the option most likely to be fully free but have limited availability.
Is there a federal legal aid office in Canada?
No single federal office — legal aid is delivered provincially/territorially, though Justice Canada cost-shares funding, including immigration and refugee legal aid agreements with ON, BC, AB, MB, QC, NL, and NS. You still apply through your own province's or territory's plan.
What is ComplaintCA?
A Canadian civic platform that routes you to the correct authority, drafts complaints with AI in 7 languages, finds your elected representative, and connects you to the right free legal resource for your province or territory.
Sources & Verification
This guide is maintained by ComplaintCA and checked against the official sources linked throughout, including:
Learn more about how ComplaintCA verifies information on our About page.