By The Canadian Press

Criminal defence lawyers warn of potential strike over legal aid shortfall

May 8, 2018 | 4:10 PM

The organization that represents criminal trial lawyers in Calgary says they could strike if the Alberta government doesn’t come up with serious cash to fix the legal aid system.

Ian Savage says the Legal Aid Alberta program needs more money so the working poor can get access to a lawyer.

He says the government needs to increase funding for it by 40 per cent immediately.

Savage says there was a similar shortfall in Ontario several years ago and the legal aid lawyers there went on strike.

He says it’s a definite option in Alberta if the government doesn’t repair what he calls a broken system.

Two-Year Diploma

Red Deer Polytechnic creates accelerated Practical Nurse Diploma pathway for health care professionals

15m ago

advocating for strategic action

Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce comment on Land Use Bylaw public hearing

50m ago

Chance to win prizes

Registration open for Green Deer spring cleanup campaign

1h ago

In April, the association said it was halting work members do for free to pressure the Alberta government to boost Legal Aid funding.

Savage wrote in an open letter to Justice Minister Kathleen Ganley “with a complete sense of desperation.”

“Like a shackled and starving foster child locked in a filthy closet for years, the Legal Aid program is a neglected and degraded shadow of its true potential and is robbing poor and disadvantaged Albertans of their futures,” Savage wrote.

(The Canadian Press)