Alberta's criminal defense attorneys have launched a campaign to demand a government response to what has been described as a "permanent lack of funding for Alberta legal aid."
August 8-19, Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (Calgary) (CDLA), Criminal Trial
Lawyers Association (Edmonton) (CTLA), Member Associations of Southern Alberta Defense Lawyers (SADL) will not accept legal aid files that require:
- Bail Only Service
- Barrister Service
- Petitioner's Lawyer Service (Section 276 of the Penal Code) based on) )
- Complainant Services Cross-Examination (if defendant is self-represented).
Edmonton criminal defense attorney and president of the Criminal Justice Lawyers Association, Danielle Boisbert, said this is because lawyers will receive an On-Duty Attorney Certificate from Legal Aid this week (a service-by-service contract). said to mean that he began to refuse
Mr Boisvert said on Tuesday that he estimated 600 lawyers on the job, out of 450. This is about half of the total Alberta Legal Aid roster.
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Boisvert added that a fourth group, the Red Deer Defense Lawyers Association, is also on board.
On 4 August, counsel withdrew representatives from the Legal Aid Customs Modernization Commission.
All three groups have asked Minister of Justice Tyler his Shandro to consider increasing the budget for legal aid and reviewing the current financial eligibility guidelines for applications.
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The outcome of Monday's meeting with states was "disappointing," said Boisbert.
"As someone who has never been to one of these political rallies, it was both enlightening and frustrating," she said Tuesday morning.
She said the two parties were at a "stalemate". The state did not recognize the need for immediate funding and offered no solution.
"There was nothing but discussion about why we couldn't find a solution," said Boivert.
There was a promise in the 2023 budget to review legal aid funding and eligibility, she said.
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"They listened to our concerns and spent a lot of time yesterday. Thank you.
Plans were made to meet again in the next few weeks, Boisvert said.
Meanwhile, four groups of lawyers will be recalled to At night, update members and discuss future possibilities. She said current work actions could continue beyond August 19 or additional measures could be taken if members wished.
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“If the government continues to neglect Alberta legal aid, our members will withdraw all duty attorney services provided to the state judges. From September 1 to 15 at the Peace Bail Bureau,” the group said in a news release on August 3.
"Our members are clear: if Minister Chandlo continues to fail to ensure equal access to justice for all Albertans, further services will be withdrawn.
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Global News reached out to Legal Aid Alberta. We will update this article as soon as we receive a response.
In a news release shared on its website, Legal Aid Alberta said Albertans will continue to have access to legal aid support in provincial courts, but with some delays.
"We are making efforts to make our lawyers available in person or in virtually all courts.
"We undertakes to take all reasonable steps to minimize service interruptions and prioritize those most disadvantaged."
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According to organization , an attorney who provides legal aid is not an employee of Legal Aid Alberta. Rather, it contracts with the LAA to "provide legal advisory and representation services in the areas of criminal and family law." The three criminal defense organizations that voted in favor of revoking duty attorney services do not represent all list attorneys.
"List attorneys are essential to Alberta legal aid." The LAA cannot change the salary rate of its list attorneys, but we are in discussions with the LAA and hope to find a solution soon.We will continue to push forward with the modernization of our customs structure and will We remain committed to submitting proposals to the ministry by budget time.”
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A spokesperson for the Alberta Department of Justice told Global News on 5 August, " A review of Alberta's legal aid program is underway to address claims management efficiencies, fee blocking and other simplifications of the customs system."
Alberta said Alberta was willing to consider increasing its operating budget and eligibility guidelines for legal aid, but that "that work will need to be done after the current review is completed and It needs to be done through the development of the 2023 budget," he said.
The Alberta Attorney General said: We thank all criminal attorneys for the work they undertake on behalf of Alberta and their advocacy to increase funding for Alberta's legal aid program.
On August 8, Dow said, "Work is already underway to modernize our state's legal aid fees."
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"The government, as part of its budget for 2023, will consider potential changes in tariff rates and current financial Eligibility guidelines can now be investigated.”
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Hourly wage for a list attorney with 10 years of experience ($92.40/hour).
"Through this process, the Government of Alberta will continue to work with legal partners, including these organizations, to continue to prioritize the accessibility and long-term sustainability of legal aid in the province.
According to the Alberta Department of Justice, the province has increased its funding of Alberta Legal Aid by 47% since 2015.
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