A lawyer and executive director with the Belleville Community Advocacy and Legal Centre has been appointed to the Order of Canada.
Michele Leering has been given one of the country’s highest honours, reinforcing the importance of legal advocacy and empowering vulnerable and marginalized populations.
The Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, announced that Ms. Leering would be invested into the Order as a Member, which recognizes individuals who have made a difference in the country.
Leering says she is both humbled and honoured to be appointed as a Member of the Order.
She says they believe access to justice is a right deserved by everyone regardless of their income.
CALC Board Chair Peter Kerr says they are incredibly fortunate to have Michele leading the team at CALC and working to improve the lives and legal outcomes of marginalized individuals in the region.
The Order, created in 1967, is reserved for individuals who have made outstanding contributions that enrich the lives of Canadians and helped build a better country.
CALC is a non-profit community legal clinic that works collaboratively with community partners to improve access to legal services and support for individuals living on a low income or in poverty.
