Skip to Main content

25.24°^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

RCMP seek public's help after suspected series of fires at Kelowna park

The RCMP are asking the public for assistance after investigators identified a series of suspected deliberately set fires at Gopher Creek Linear Park in Kelowna. According to the RCMP, several small fires were discovered in close proximity inside the park at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. People who were in the park and nearby residents spotted the fires and extinguished them before notifying the fire department, preventing any significant damage. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed suspicious activity in the park or near the Gallagher Road and Lynrick Road area that afternoon

Nova Scotia to ban e-bikes and e-scooters for children under 14 starting this fall

Nova Scotia will prohibit children under the age of 14 from operating e-bikes and e-scooters beginning this fall as part of amendments to the province's Traffic Safety Act. Public Works Minister Fred Tilley announced the new minimum age requirement, saying the changes are intended to improve road safety as electric mobility devices become faster and more widely used. According to the provincial announcement, the updated rules respond to advances in technology that allow many e-bikes and e-scooters to travel at significantly higher speeds than conventional bicycles. The changes come as injuries

canada-adds-75-000-jobs-in-july-as-unemployment-rate-falls-to-two-year-low

CanadaAug 07, 2026

Canada adds 75,000 jobs in July as unemployment rate falls to two-year low

Canada's economy added 75,000 jobs in July, bringing the national unemployment rate down to 6.4 per cent, according to Statistics Canada. The agency said the unemployment rate is now at its lowest level in two years. The latest Labour Force Survey marks the third consecutive monthly decline in unemployment. Since April, the jobless rate has fallen by 0.5 percentage points. The July employment gain also exceeded economists' expectations, with forecasts having called for approximately 15,000 new jobs. Statistics Canada reported that both full-time and part-time employment contributed almost equa

Fort St. John RCMP investigate second targeted drive-by shooting in recent weeks

RCMP are investigating a targeted drive-by shooting in Fort St. John that damaged several properties but did not result in any reported injuries. The incident marks the second targeted shooting in the city within the past few weeks. According to Fort St. John RCMP, officers responded to reports of gunfire at about 1:37 a.m. Thursday in the 9800 block of 108 Avenue, near the city's downtown area. Investigators found bullet damage to a travel trailer, two nearby homes and a vehicle. Police said no injuries were reported. As of publication, investigators have not released a description of any sus

federal-government-restores-full-health-coverage-for-refugees-and-asylum-claimants

CanadaAug 06, 2026

Federal government restores full health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants

The federal government under Prime Minister Mark Carney has reversed recent cuts to health coverage for refugees and asylum claimants, restoring full benefits under the Interim Federal Health Program. New rules introduced on May 1, 2026 required eligible refugees to pay a $4 co-payment for prescription medications. The changes also required them to cover 30 per cent of the cost of supplemental services, including dental care, vision care, physiotherapy and mental health services. The policy drew criticism from frontline physicians, human rights organizations and community advocates, who argued

Related News

Armed suspect injured in RCMP officer-involved shooting in Cold Lake, Alberta

Armed suspect injured in RCMP officer-involved shooting in Cold Lake, Alberta

A man was injured after an RCMP officer opened fire during a domestic violence call in Cold Lake, northern Alberta, on Tuesday morning. The suspect was taken to hospital and is reported to be in stable condition. According to RCMP, officers responded to a report of a domestic violence incident involving a weapon in the 5600 block of 54 Street at approximately 9:45 a.m. When officers arrived, they encountered an armed suspect. During the confrontation, one officer discharged their service firearm, striking the suspect. The injured man was transported to a nearby hospital, where he remains in st

High River man charged with first-degree murder in woman's death

High River man charged with first-degree murder in woman's death

A 36-year-old High River man has been charged with first-degree murder following the fatal shooting of a woman in what RCMP are investigating as a domestic homicide. According to High River RCMP, the victim has been identified as Cayla Bleeker. Police identified the accused as Jarrett Stobbe, 36. Both were residents of High River. RCMP said officers responded to two separate calls from a residence on 112 Street East on Tuesday. Police said Stobbe first contacted RCMP at about 6 p.m., making allegations against Bleeker that investigators later determined were unfounded. A second emergency call

Missing 11-year-old Calgary boy Parker found dead after extensive two-week search

Missing 11-year-old Calgary boy Parker found dead after extensive two-week search

Calgary police have confirmed that 11-year-old Parker, who had been missing for the past two weeks, has been found dead following one of the largest search operations in the city's history. According to Calgary Police Chief Katie McLellan, Parker, who was autistic and non-verbal, disappeared from a day home on July 16. His body was discovered at about 2:30 p.m. Wednesday inside a small pipe located approximately 137 to 152 metres into a tunnel near Deerfoot Trail. The location is about one kilometre from Connaught Drive N.W., where he was last seen. Police said the discovery followed a public

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital