Youth often do not recognize when a problem has a legal dimension and do not know where to turn for help. This project identifies ways to strengthen access to legal information, education and support for Saskatchewan youth.
About
Project title
Youth Legal Needs and Legal Literacy in Saskatchewan: Insights from Educators and School Staff
What is it?
- 100 educators and school staff from across Saskatchewan were surveyed to better understand:
- legal issues affecting youth
- barriers to accessing legal help
- gaps in legal literacy
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opportunities to improve youth-centred legal education and supports
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Funded by the Law Commission of Canada
Who is participating?
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Led by CREATE Justice and the Canadian Hub for Applied and Social Research (CHASR) at the University of Saskatchewan
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Collaborators:
- Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA)
- Law Society of Saskatchewan
- Legal Aid Saskatchewan
- Saskatchewan Access to Justice Network partners
- Educators and school staff from Saskatchewan school divisions
Knowledge mobilization
- Public reports and research snapshots
- Academic publications
- Conference presentations
- Justice sector and education sector networks
- Community and policy discussions across Canada
Goals
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Increase understanding:
- Identify legal needs and challenges facing youth in Saskatchewan
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Better understand barriers to legal information and support
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Support action:
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Inform the development of youth-centred legal literacy resources and programmng
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Strengthen partnerships between schools, communities and legal service providers
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Advance systems change:
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Support evidence-informed policy and practice
- Develop a model that can be adapted in other Canadian jurisdictions
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Reports and Resources
Highlights key findings, opportunities, and recommendations for strengthening youth legal literacy and access to justice:
News
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2026: Findings were presented at the Inaugural National Action Committee on Access to Justice Research Conference in Ottawa, Ontario
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2025: Findings were presented at the Federation of Law Reform Agencies of Canada (FOLRAC) Symposium in Vancouver, British Columbia
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Coming Soon: A journal article based on the project findings has been submitted for publication
Get involved
Are you interested in youth legal literacy, legal needs research, or access to justice? We welcome opportunities to:
- Share findings with your organization
- Explore partnership opportunities
- Discuss future research and programming
- Connect with others working in this area
306.966.8635