In a detailed news release dated February 7, 2002, the Legal Services Society announced that by "majority vote, its board decided it cannot implement a budget based on the government's hierarchy of services and the severe cuts to LSS funding." On February 22, 2002, using its powers under Section 19 of the Legal Services Society Act, the Campbell government fired the Board of the Legal Services Society. First its trustee, and then a new board, implemented the Campbell cuts, reducing legal aid by $34 million per year or 40% of its previous budget. The February 7, 2002, news release and all other criticism of the government cuts were removed from the Society's website after the firing of its Board.

On February 1, 2005, attorney General Geoff Plant announced $4.6 million increase in funding to the Legal Services Society. Under pressure from the federal government, the province also announced one time one year funding of "$800,000 in 05/06 to continue funding immigration legal aid for eligible individuals who need help initiating refugee claims." The government's news release concludes with the claim that "The Legal Services Society is an independent, non-profit organization", but it failed to note that the government has the power to fire its board when it doesn't dance to the government's tune.

The BC Coalition of Women's Centres responded to the $4.6 million increase with a news release saying "This announcement is about boosting votes not services." The release goes on to say "Women's Centres see women on a daily basis who are denied Legal aid in Family or Poverty law due to funding cuts. The most significant of the family law legal aid cut is that women are being forced to represent themselves in court."

Restoring $4.6 million after cutting $34 million is a very small step in the right direction. It is yet another admission that cuts following Black Thursday, January 17, 2002, went way too far and did real damage. Funding of $4.6 million looks small relative to the estimated prize in February 2nd lotto draw of $24 million or relative to the $2.6 million per day that the government expects to rake in from gambling. Cynics might think that the $4.6 million announcement is primarily about reducing court costs that arise from unrepresented parties; it certainly isn't about providing a legal of service that assures equal access to the courts.