Some of LEAF's cases are eligible for limited funding under the Court Challenges program, a federal government program which underwrites some expenses of litigation on federal equality issues in order to give Canadians access to the justice system. It generally provides $35,000 - $50,000 per case.

Donors can support LEAF cases and LEAF's law reform and public education activities by contributing to its general fundraising programs.

If you wish to become involved in LEAF's Fund Development Committee or fundraising activities, please contact the LEAF National Office.

The full cost of the litigation is never borne by LEAF because the lawyers who act for us always donate either all or part of their time. This is what is referred to as "pro bono" work, and it represents a huge contribution by the lawyers involved. It is also a measure of their commitment to advancing women's equality rights.

Still, the cost of going to court is very high. The cost of our most recent Supreme Court of Canada intervention, including legal fees and disbursement costs such as photocopying, was about $117,000.

A rule of thumb is that decisions on Supreme Court cases are handed down about six months from the date of the hearing. However, that's an average, and some cases have taken up to a year before a decision is rendered. Things also vary at different levels of court and from province to province. For example, the decision on Falkiner, an Ontario Court of Appeal case that was argued in January 2001, was not decided until May 13, 2002. It took the court 14 months.