(dreamstime.com)

By Josh Hall

since 2005

Help available through the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic

Nov 7, 2020 | 9:00 AM

On the heels of Access to Justice Week, which ran Oct. 26-31, the Central Alberta Community Legal Clinic is reminding citizens of the services it offers, even during the pandemic.

The clinic opened in Red Deer in 2005 as a centennial project of the Central Alberta Bar Society and now operates independently.

Two staff lawyers and nine other staff, including legal assistants and an immigration advocate, offer pro bono assistance to clients who would otherwise be unable to afford help from a lawyer.

“Our biggest area of need is usually those seeking help with family law issues, including custody, support, and property division,” says staff lawyer Jamie Smith. “Lately, in addition to family law, we’ve seen increased needs from people dealing with debt-related issues, as well as those with questions about tenant rights. We expect much of this uptick has been due to the impacts of COVID-19.”

The clinic, funded primarily by the Alberta Law Foundation, serves about 65-70 clients monthly or 800+ per year, between its locations in Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Lloydminster and Fort McMurray. Clients are 18 years of age and older.

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A program called the Alberta Rural Legal Assistance Initiative is funded in part by an anonymous donor, Smith shares.

“We field about 4000-5000 calls annually, and provide assistance through other programs as well, such as our Tenant Advocacy Program that helps to support tenants who have issues or concerns with their rentals, and our Immigration Law program that provides access to information and assistance with a range of immigration-related topics,” Smith says.

“We also operate a program to assist those in need of temporary photo ID, and outside of COVID-19, we regularly host public legal information workshops on a variety of legal topics. We also have two lawyers in-house who help support clients on a limited scope basis, providing help with document drafting, negotiations, and Court coaching, among other tasks.”

The photo ID sessions were done this year in conjunction with the John Howard Society.

During the pandemic, prospective clients are booked into 30-60 minute appointments to speak with a volunteer lawyer over the phone or through video chat, whereas in-person meetings would typically take place.

As for access to justice, Smith says that means different things to different people.

“Without having adequate access to the legal system, education, information, and affordable representation available, society cannot guarantee equal protection and treatment under the law,” he says. “Those greatest at risk of being deprived of equal protection are those with financial barriers, language or education barriers, those with cognitive impairments, and those living in remote areas of the province.”

Smith adds that most people know someone who’s had difficulties accessing the justice system or getting adequate help, even with something as simple as a traffic ticket.

The clinic hopes to initiate services with several Indigenous communities over the next few months, he points out.

For assistance through the Community Legal Clinic in central Alberta, call 403-314-9129.