Skip to Main content

13.32°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 1, 2022 5:59 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Alberta criminal defence lawyers escalate job action in legal aid battle

Share On

Criminal defence lawyers have escalated job action in an ongoing dispute with the provincial government over the amount of compensation paid by Legal Aid Alberta.

Organizations representing lawyers in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and southern Alberta began job action three weeks ago by refusing to accept certain bail and duty counsel files.

Today, they are to start refusing new cases for the most serious criminal charges, including sexual offences and homicides.

Lawyers in Calgary and Edmonton are also planning a 90-minute walkout for Friday.

Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro says the government is monitoring the situation to make sure nobody is denied access to justice.

He also says nothing is going to be done until a review of the Legal Aid Alberta administrative system is complete.

Latest news

new-charges-laid-against-two-men-in-surrey-extortion-and-shooting-case

New Charges Laid Against Two Men in Surrey Extortion and Shooting Case

Surrey Police have laid additional charges against 20-year-old Harshdeep Singh and 21-year-old Hanspreet Singh in connection with an extortion and shooting investigation. The new charges include discharging a firearm and possessing a loaded weapon. The two men were arrested on January 26 shortly after shots were fired at a home near 129 Street and 84 Avenue in Surrey. Officers conducting patrols under the Surrey Police Service's Project Assurance program spotted and stopped a suspicious vehicle in the area and arrested the two suspects. A search of the vehicle led to the seizure of a loaded ha

AlbertaJun 25, 2026

Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Central Alberta

Environment Canada says heavy rainfall expected across central Alberta this weekend could lead to overland flooding, road washouts and damage to infrastructure. Forecasters are predicting up to 60 millimetres of rain between Friday evening and Sunday. The agency noted that an unusually wet June has already left the ground saturated, increasing the risk of flooding. Environment Canada also warned that another weather system is expected to move into the region early next week, potentially bringing even more heavy rainfall and worsening conditions. Residents are being advised to monitor weather

powerful-earthquake-strikes-venezuela-massive-casualties-feared

WorldJun 25, 2026

Powerful Earthquake Strikes Venezuela, Massive Casualties Feared

A powerful earthquake has struck the South American nation of Venezuela, causing widespread destruction. Two strong tremors measuring 7.1 and 7.5 in magnitude hit within a minute of each other, leading to severe damage across several areas. According to reports, numerous buildings and homes have collapsed. Authorities have confirmed hundreds of deaths, while thousands of people have been injured. Officials fear that the death toll could exceed 10,000 as many people are still believed to be trapped under the rubble. The strong tremors were felt west of Venezuela's capital, Caracas, where sever

carney-trump-speak-by-phone-ahead-of-nato-summit-next-month

CanadaJun 25, 2026

Carney, Trump speak by phone ahead of NATO summit next month

Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone conversation Wednesday ahead of next month's NATO summit, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The Prime Minister's Office confirmed the call in a one-line statement but did not disclose the topics discussed by the two leaders. Carney and Trump are expected to meet during the annual NATO summit, scheduled for July 7 and 8 in Ankara, Turkey. The meeting comes as NATO allies continue discussions on defence spending and broader security priorities. Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is also visiting Canada from Thursd

senior-leaders-of-edmonton-based-infantry-battalion-removed-amid-investigation

AlbertaJun 24, 2026

Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion removed amid investigation

The Department of National Defence says two senior leaders of a respected Armed Forces battalion have been removed pending an investigation. It says Lt.-Col. Jason Hudson and chief warrant officer Kim Doerr have been temporarily removed from their positions with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Hudson was the Edmonton-based unit's commanding officer. The Defence Department is sharing few details about the probe but says authority figures are expected to display good judgment and conduct. It says the 3rd Canadian Division, which oversees all Forces operations across W

Related News

Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Central Alberta

Heavy Rain Warning Issued for Central Alberta

Environment Canada says heavy rainfall expected across central Alberta this weekend could lead to overland flooding, road washouts and damage to infrastructure. Forecasters are predicting up to 60 millimetres of rain between Friday evening and Sunday. The agency noted that an unusually wet June has already left the ground saturated, increasing the risk of flooding. Environment Canada also warned that another weather system is expected to move into the region early next week, potentially bringing even more heavy rainfall and worsening conditions. Residents are being advised to monitor weather

Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion removed amid investigation

Senior leaders of Edmonton-based infantry battalion removed amid investigation

The Department of National Defence says two senior leaders of a respected Armed Forces battalion have been removed pending an investigation. It says Lt.-Col. Jason Hudson and chief warrant officer Kim Doerr have been temporarily removed from their positions with 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry. Hudson was the Edmonton-based unit's commanding officer. The Defence Department is sharing few details about the probe but says authority figures are expected to display good judgment and conduct. It says the 3rd Canadian Division, which oversees all Forces operations across W

Alberta Forms Panel to Boost Infrastructure Funding Without Raising Taxes

Alberta Forms Panel to Boost Infrastructure Funding Without Raising Taxes

Alberta's Municipal Affairs Minister, Dan Williams, has assembled a panel to explore ways of increasing funding for infrastructure projects without raising taxes. Williams announced the creation of the ministers' council today in Jasper, where provincial and territorial municipal ministers are gathering for their annual meeting on Wednesday and Thursday. The panel includes representatives from communities and industries across Alberta. It has been tasked with reviewing how infrastructure projects are currently financed, identifying funding gaps, and recommending practical solutions to address

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital