Legal Aid Alberta to stop services over contract dispute with provincial government

Irfan Sabir, Alberta NDP Critic for Justice and Public Safety, issued the following statement in response:

“In a week, Albertans will lose access to Legal Aid. This means that vulnerable Albertans seeking legal assistance with family law, domestic violence and child welfare will no longer be able to retain legal counsel. Legal organizations have warned that this is an impending catastrophe that will have a profound impact on the entire justice system and the lives of Albertans in their time of crisis.

“Despite the best efforts of the Law Society of Alberta and Legal Aid to renew the funding agreement, the UCP government has refused to negotiate in good faith. All Albertans have a right to access the justice system, no matter their financial situation. The UCP’s action will throw the justice system into crisis and put these critical services at risk.

“It’s unconscionable that the UCP thinks Albertans escaping abuse and needing these services should be left without any support.”

Minister of Justice Mickey Amery issued the following statement on the current state of legal aid services in Alberta:

“We recognize that legal aid is an important tool for many Albertans who may face financial barriers in accessing legal supports and would like to reassure those Albertans that supports will continue to be available.

“Over the last nine years, Legal Aid Alberta’s grant funding from the Alberta Government has almost doubled, growing from $66 million in Budget 2015 to $110 million in Budget 2024, with expenditures projected to be over $138 million this year. Obviously, this funding growth is unsustainable.

“Even more puzzling to our government is the fact that despite this massive increase in funding, Legal Aid Alberta is not materially expanding the number of clients it serves, nor is it being forthcoming with a credible explanation or details as to why this is the case.

“Albertans expect their government to be responsible with their hard-earned tax dollars.

“Beginning in March of this year, the Ministry of Justice, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta have been negotiating a new governance agreement to ensure sustainability, transparency and financial accountability, while maintaining the independence of Legal Aid Alberta to provide independent legal advice to its clients.

“As the current funding agreement expired on June 30, we have offered to extend the existing funding agreement to ensure the delivery of legal services by Legal Aid Alberta continues unaltered while we continue to work with Legal Aid Alberta on the new funding agreement with strengthened transparency and accountability measures.

“The Law Society of Alberta’s role as regulator of the legal profession remains unchanged, and they will continue to be involved in legal aid board governance via the bylaws of Legal Aid Alberta.

“The funds our government has already provided Legal Aid Alberta in this budget year are more than sufficient to maintain a strong roster of lawyers as well as day-to-day operations in the coming months, pending finalization of the new funding agreement. Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring Albertans have access to legal aid services.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 3, 2024.

(With files from rdnewsNOW)

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by Canadian Press

Legal Aid Alberta to stop services over contract dispute with provincial government

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