Skip to Main content

25.97°^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

canada-u-s-trade-talks-enter-critical-phase-as-tariff-deadline-looms

CanadaAug 13, 2026

Canada-U.S. Trade Talks Enter Critical Phase as Tariff Deadline Looms

Canada-U.S. trade talks have entered another critical phase, with Canadian Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer holding another emergency meeting in Washington, D.C. on Thursday. Canada’s chief trade negotiator, Alesia Charette, is also taking part in the meeting. The latest meeting comes as both sides race against the clock to reach a trade agreement and prevent the situation from escalating further. It is the second face-to-face meeting between Canadian and U.S. officials this week and the fourth in the past three weeks. According to reports, the nego

CanadaAug 13, 2026

E-Scooters and E-Bikes Pose Serious Risk to Children in Canada, 10 Deaths Reported Last Year

The use of e-scooters and e-bikes is proving increasingly dangerous for children in Canada. According to a report from the Canadian Paediatric Society, 10 children died last year from injuries linked to e-scooter and e-bike crashes, with six of those deaths occurring in Ontario. The report also found that 12 children were admitted to intensive care units following e-scooter-related crashes, while 26 children required hospital treatment for two or more days. The concerning findings are based on information collected from paediatric specialists across Canada. Nearly half of the serious cases inv

sukhbir-singh-badal-attacked-at-nanded-sahib-sustains-injury-to-hand

IndiaAug 13, 2026

Sukhbir Singh Badal Attacked at Nanded Sahib, Sustains Injury to Hand

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal was reportedly attacked at Nanded Sahib in Maharashtra on Thursday. According to preliminary information, Badal sustained an injury to his hand and was taken to a private hospital for treatment. His condition is said to be stable. The incident reportedly took place at around 11 a.m. when Badal had gone to Mata Sahib Kaur Gurdwara at Nanded Sahib along with his supporters and security personnel. According to reports, taking advantage of the crowd at the gurdwara, a Nihang Sikh allegedly approached Badal carrying a sharp-edged weapon and attempte

Tumbler Ridge School Shooting: Court Documents Reveal New Details

Court documents related to the mass shooting at a school in Tumbler Ridge, B.C., in February have been made public, shedding new light on the mental state of 18-year-old shooter Jesse Van Rootselaar and confusion during the initial police response. The documents, released to a media outlet by a B.C. Provincial Court judge, indicate that Van Rootselaar was struggling with his mental health and had a strong interest in firearms. According to the report, the RCMP initially believed there could be two shooters after witnesses provided different names for the suspect. Police later determined that t

CanadaAug 13, 2026

Canada-US Trade Talks Near Critical Deadline as Tariff Threat Looms

Canada and the United States are at a critical point in their ongoing trade negotiations, with the August 19 deadline for avoiding new U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports fast approaching. Despite intensive discussions between officials from both countries, no agreement has been reached so far. Canadian officials are reportedly dissatisfied with Washington’s latest proposal, saying the offer falls well short of what Ottawa had been seeking. According to reports, the United States presented a new proposal on Tuesday that included reductions in tariffs on certain sectors. However, the proposed re

Related News

Alberta Could See Billions in Budget Surplus Amid High Oil Prices

Alberta Could See Billions in Budget Surplus Amid High Oil Prices

The Alberta government is expected to record a budget surplus of billions of dollars this fiscal year, driven by higher crude oil prices. According to University of Calgary economics professor Trevor Tombe, the province has already accumulated a $3.8-billion surplus so far this fiscal year. He said every $1-per-barrel change in oil prices can make a difference of about $680 million to the provincial treasury. Tombe estimates that if oil prices remain above $66 per barrel, Alberta could end up with a surplus of around $6 billion, instead of the previously projected $9.4-billion deficit. Alberta

Alberta Sending More Firefighters to Help Battle B.C. Wildfires

Alberta Sending More Firefighters to Help Battle B.C. Wildfires

The Alberta government is sending additional firefighters and support crews to British Columbia today to help battle wildfires across the province. Alberta’s Ministry of Forestry and Parks says 186 firefighters have already arrived in B.C. and are assisting with wildfire response efforts, while another 40 personnel are being deployed Tuesday. The province is also providing air support, including two airtankers, two helitankers and a helicopter. An additional 45 support staff members, including an Incident Management Team, are also being deployed. More than 100 wildfires are currently burning

Calgary Police Say Suspect in Officer Shooting Had Organized Crime Ties

Calgary Police Say Suspect in Officer Shooting Had Organized Crime Ties

Calgary police say the man who shot at officers and struck one officer twice during a traffic stop yesterday had ties to organized crime. Police have not identified the suspect, who was later found dead in the Bow River from what they describe as a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators have not provided details about the type of organized crime group he was allegedly connected to. The officer was shot twice and is expected to make a full recovery. The shooting happened shortly before noon near Spruce Cliff and Edworthy Park, west of downtown Calgary.

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital