Northern Ontario Law School Is Now Open

Ontario’s first law school in 44 years and the first in Northern Ontario is now officially open.
The new Northern Ontario Law School is officially open!
A grand opening was held Wednesday at the new Northern Ontario Law School in Thunder Bay.
Founding Dean Lee Steusser says this is a law school for northerners, adding that there is a shortage of lawyers in Northern Ontario.
He says that those who live and work in this region, are more likely to stay here.
Confederation College President Jim Madder says he’s been in conversation with Steusser about cross programming between the two schools to provide more opportunities for those from remote communities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Regional Chief of Ontario for the Assembly of First Nations Stan Beardy says the school will hopefully help First Nation residents get better legal representation.
He says that a recent study shows that in the Kenora District Jail, there are 137 inmates and 131 of them are aboriginal.
The inaugural class has students from Thunder Bay, Geraldton, Kenora, Marathon, Sudbury and Sault Ste. Marie.
(Photo credit: Lakehead University)