Jean Marie Apac Vecina

Jean Marie Vecina is a member of both the Philippine (2007) and Ontario bar (2012).

During her career in the Philippines, she provided legal representation and community organizing services to women’s groups such as Lihok Pilipina Foundation and Legal Alternatives for Women, Inc. In this capacity, Jean was invited to speak on the status of young women in the Philippines at the United Nations 51st session of the Commission on the Status of Women held at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

After arriving in Canada, Jean began work in the settlement field, supporting and advocating for newcomers to the country, including work focused specifically on supporting LGBTQ youth and live-in caregivers.

Jean now focuses her practice on immigration and refugee law. Jean has appeared before all levels of the Immigration and Refugee Board, the Federal Court and the Federal Court of Appeal of Canada, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, and the Ontario Court of Appeal.

Jean is one of the founders of Caregivers Action Centre (CAC), a grassroots organization dedicated to supporting foreign temporary workers in Canada working under the caregiver streams. Jean also serves as a board member of SoCirc, a non-profit organization supporting young people living on the margins through social circus modality.

● University of Toronto: Foreign Law Degree Accreditation ● University of San Carlos, Philippines: Bachelor of Laws ● University of the Philippines: Bachelor of Arts Major in Political Science