Alberta's criminal defense attorneys are 'high hopes' after meeting with Alberta's Minister of Justice and CEO of Legal Aid Alberta.
Extend some of the job actions for an additional two weeks.
Through September 2,Criminal Defense Lawyers Association of Calgary (CDLA), Criminal Justice Lawyers Association of Edmonton (CTLA),Member Association of Southern Alberta Defense Lawyers Association11} (SADL) and Red Deer Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (RDCDLA) deny legal aid files that require:
• Bail only service.
• Court Duty Attorney Services.
• Complainant Attorney Service (under Section 276 of the Criminal Code).
• Cross-examination
Read more: Defense attorney protests 'persistent lack of funding' for Alberta legal aid
Hundreds of lawyers launched job action on August 8th. This job action was originally scheduled to run until August 19th. At a meeting of defense attorneys on Wednesday, it was decided to extend it.
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The group said, ``Until all Albertans have equal access to justice, they must stop. This requires an immediate increase in the legal aid budget and a concrete commitment to fair compensation.”
In a release issued Thursday, lawyers said earlier in the week that He said that meeting with Tyler Shandro and John Panusa was not what they had hoped for. We quickly realized it was just us," the statement said.
Lawyers said parties on the other side of the negotiating table did not seem to take their concerns seriously.
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“Judges and prosecutors deserve the respect and reward they deserve for their professional work, but defense counsel does not. We are a 'vendor' that sells widgets for pennies," the statement said.
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Global News has reached out to the Justice Minister for comment.
READ MORE: Legal Aid Lawyers Strengthen Activities in Alberta
On Wednesday, Law Aid Alberta updates on how its organization is "managing the withdrawal" of "contracted criminal defense attorneys."
The LAA stated that the services they provide "came from staff attorneys and list attorneys who do legal aid work in addition to individual law.
"They Although essential to the provision of legal services, they are not employees of the LAA and do not represent all private sector directory attorneys who provide legal aid services.”
Attorneys admitted they are suing states for more funding and better compensation. May 3
Thinking about the future of legal aid is difficult but necessary.” LAA said.
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"In the meantime , there is work to be done to help low-income Albertans facing legal challenges, as well as to modernize the customs structure and continually improve the LAA's administrative processes for list attorneys.
On Tuesday, CTLA president Danielle Boisvert told Global News that more meetings are scheduled in the coming weeks.
– Files by Emily Mertz, Global News
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