Skip to Main content

27.77°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Sep 23, 2022 6:03 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Alberta defence lawyers to stop taking new legal aid files

Share On

Alberta criminal defence lawyers are taking another step in their dispute with the provincial government over the amount of compensation paid by Legal Aid Alberta.

Four organizations representing lawyers in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and southern Alberta began job action August 8th by refusing to accept certain bail and duty counsel files from legal aid.

Beginning Monday, the lawyers will refuse to take any new legal aid certificates.

Kelsey Sitar, vice-president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association in Calgary says she realizes the move is drastic but it's important to get the Alberta government's attention.

Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro has indicated a review of legal aid is underway, but no changes will happen until the next budget year.

Sitar says the lawyers can't wait any longer and the problem needs to be addressed now.

Latest news

fifa-world-cup-opener-in-vancouver-sets-public-transit-ridership-record

CanadaJun 15, 2026

FIFA World Cup opener in Vancouver sets public transit ridership record

The first FIFA World Cup 2026 match in Vancouver drove public transit use to record levels, with TransLink reporting the busiest stadium-event day on its network since the 2010 Winter Olympics. According to TransLink, more than 1.03 million boardings were recorded across the region on June 13, representing a 14 per cent increase compared with a typical Saturday in June. The agency also reported approximately 648,200 total trips, up 18 per cent from normal demand levels. Thousands of soccer fans travelled to BC Place and the FIFA Fan Festival to attend the match between Australia and Türkiye.

Motorcyclist Killed in Maple Ridge Collision; Investigation Ongoing

One person has died following a collision involving a motorcycle and a truck in Maple Ridge on Saturday night. The crash occurred at approximately 8:45 p.m. at the intersection of Lougheed Highway and 287 Street. According to information provided by authorities, the collision caused significant damage to the motorcycle, while the truck's airbags deployed. Paramedics responded to the scene and provided emergency medical treatment to two people before transporting them to hospital in stable condition. Authorities later confirmed that one person died as a result of the crash. The collision prompt

CanadaJun 15, 2026

Canada reports second consecutive annual decline in opioid overdose deaths

Canada recorded a second straight year-over-year decline in opioid overdose deaths, according to the latest federal report on substance-related harms. Health Canada reported that 5,630 people died from opioid overdoses in 2025, down from previous years following an earlier decline recorded in 2024. Despite the reduction, officials said the crisis continues to pose a significant public health challenge across the country. According to the federal report, opioid-related deaths averaged about 15 per day last year. The report also found a 23 per cent decrease in the national death rate linked to o

CanadaJun 15, 2026

Metro Vancouver outside workers begin full strike after 17 months without contract

Approximately 700 Metro Vancouver outside workers have begun a full strike after working for the past 17 months without a collective agreement. According to the Greater Vancouver Regional District Employees' Union, workers launched the job action after contract negotiations failed to produce an agreement. Union president Jesse Medeiros said management has continued to ignore concerns raised by frontline employees who provide essential services across the region. The union said its key demands include improved worker safety measures, limits on contracting out work to private companies, and stro

b-c-premier-calls-for-stronger-ai-chatbot-reporting-requirements-in-federal-online-harms-bill

B.C. premier calls for stronger AI chatbot reporting requirements in federal online harms bill

British Columbia Premier David Eby says the federal government's proposed online harms legislation does not go far enough in addressing risks associated with artificial intelligence chatbots. Eby criticized the bill for not requiring technology companies to report dangerous or suspicious user activity to police. He said companies should be obligated to notify law enforcement if a user is believed to be using an AI chatbot to plan a violent crime. The premier pointed to the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting, stating that the suspect's chatbot account had been flagged before the attack. According to E

Related News

RCMP prioritize investigation after plaques stolen from First World War internment memorial in Banff National Park

RCMP prioritize investigation after plaques stolen from First World War internment memorial in Banff National Park

RCMP in Lake Louise say the theft of two plaques from a First World War internment memorial in Banff National Park is being treated as a priority investigation. According to an RCMP news release, the plaques were removed from the Castle Mountain Internment Camp memorial, which commemorates people detained in Canada during the First World War. Police also reported vandalism to a statue located at the site. The memorial includes historical information about the Castle Mountain camp and a statue of a Ukrainian immigrant bearing the word “Why?” at its base. The site serves as a place of rememb

Calgary police classify deaths of woman and child as murder-suicide

Calgary police classify deaths of woman and child as murder-suicide

Calgary police say the deaths of a 42-year-old woman and her seven-year-old son have been determined to be a murder-suicide. According to police, the bodies were discovered Wednesday after officers conducted a welfare check at a home in northeast Calgary. Investigators said the case has been reviewed and no other suspects are being sought. Police have not released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Authorities also said there was no reported history of family violence involving those involved.

Calgary man stabbed in face in hate-motivated attack: police

Calgary man stabbed in face in hate-motivated attack: police

Calgary police say a man was stabbed twice in the face after being subjected to racial slurs in what investigators are describing as a hate-motivated attack. Police allege the incident occurred on the night of May 22, when a man in his 40s was approached by a neighbour outside his home in southwest Calgary. During the confrontation, the victim was allegedly targeted with racial remarks before being stabbed. The injured man managed to get inside his home, call police and was taken to hospital for treatment. Authorities say he has since recovered from his injuries. Investigators also allege the

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital