Canadian Legal Problems Survey, 2021

The Canadian Legal Problems Survey (CLPS) collects information on serious disputes or problems, which may or may not require legal help, Canadians have encountered and the impacts on their lives. Topics covered in the survey include the identification of the types of serious problems experienced, the relationship between those problems, actions taken to resolve or try to resolve the problems, access to legal help, costs associated with the legal problems, the level of understanding of the legal implications of the problems, the evolution and status of the problems, the impacts of the problems on their life including health, family and work. The survey aims to gather information that will help governments better understand the characteristics and mechanisms involved in those situations, evaluate Canadian's access to legal help and costs associated with legal issues. The survey results will inform the development of tools and measures to support Canadians experiencing legal issues and will be used in the evaluation of federal contributions to civil legal aid. In addition, the information will be used to inform and develop programs to address Canadians' legal needs and problems, such as supporting community justice centres, enhancing legal literacy and other people-centred approaches to access to justice.