An exhaustive analysis of the extent and quality of legal services available to low-income Canadians in each province and territory. The report points out that civil legal aid is underemphasized even though it is one of the most widely needed services, as most of the poor need help in civil law matters. They need more assistance as consumers because they are the main targets of consumer fraud, they also need help in terms of landlord disputes which are more common among low income people, and also, they may need legal assistance with regards to issues of discrimination, welfare matters, and unemployment benefits. There are also certain disadvantaged groups in society such as women, immigrants and refugees, aboriginals, the elderly and people with disabilities who desperately need such services due to the double burden they face as minorities/disabilities as well as their low income. Legal aid in this area could be used to validate the claims of such groups, and perhaps bring initiatives to strike down laws that do not respect the rights of such vulnerable groups. Also, it could help communities organize themselves into groups to defend rights and educate the poor about their legal rights, which is an important task in a democratic society.

The report concludes that the current system does not meet the needs of the poor and recommends sweeping changes.