Skip to Main content

13.91°^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

AlbertaOct 19, 2026

Alberta Votes in Historic Referendum on Separation from Canada

Albertans are voting today in a historic referendum that will determine whether the province should begin a legal process and formal voting on separating from Canada in the future. Around 1.3 million Albertans have already cast their ballots through mail-in voting or advance polls. Premier Danielle Smith has voted in favour of Alberta remaining part of Canada. The ballot paper contains 10 questions. Nine relate to immigration, constitutional issues and demands for greater provincial powers from the federal government, while the 10th concerns separation from Canada. Last week, Prime Minister Ma

four-canadian-soldiers-killed-in-explosion-at-alberta-military-training-base

FeaturedOct 19, 2026

Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Alberta Military Training Base

Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel were killed in an explosion following a wildfire at the Wainwright military training base in Alberta on Saturday, while 39 other soldiers suffered serious burn injuries. Nineteen of the injured remain in critical condition. Military officials acknowledged that they had been aware of the fire but initially did not consider it a threat, as it was approximately one kilometre away and appeared to be under control. Live-fire training was therefore allowed to continue. However, strong gusts of wind suddenly changed the fire’s direction in the evening, allowing

three-dead-16-injured-in-calgary-bus-crash-and-explosion

AlbertaOct 16, 2026

Three Dead, 16 Injured in Calgary Bus Crash and Explosion

Three people have died and 16 others, including a police officer, were injured in a bus collision and fire in Calgary on Thursday. All three deceased were passengers on the same bus. Two of the victims have been identified, while the identity of the third is still being confirmed. According to police, the crash involved two transit buses and several other vehicles in the northeastern part of the city. A bus carrying compressed natural gas tanks caught fire, followed by a powerful explosion within seconds. One bus driver managed to escape unharmed, while the driver of the second bus was taken t

punjab-and-haryana-high-court-clears-bhagwant-manns-proposed-france-visit

IndiaOct 16, 2026

Punjab and Haryana High Court Clears Bhagwant Mann’s Proposed France Visit

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has overturned the Centre’s decision to deny political clearance for Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s proposed visit to France. According to reports, Mann may now leave for France tomorrow. The Union Ministry of External Affairs had refused permission, citing security concerns and the absence of a formal invitation from the French government. The Punjab government challenged the Centre’s decision in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court’s ruling today has provided relief to the state government. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is scheduled to

burnaby-man-sentenced-to-3-5-years-in-prison-for-online-sextortion-of-teenage-girls

Burnaby Man Sentenced to 3.5 Years in Prison for Online Sextortion of Teenage Girls

A 22-year-old man from Burnaby has been sentenced to three and a half years in prison for online sextortion involving underage girls. The accused, Anwar Jelassi, obtained nude images from eight or nine girls aged 15 to 18 whom he met on social media between October 2022 and December 2023. The victims were from Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia. He threatened to expose their images to extort money from them. According to reports, Jelassi sent an online message to a 17-year-old victim from Ontario who refused to pay him, threatening to ruin her life until her entire family had seen her nude images

Related News

Alberta Votes in Historic Referendum on Separation from Canada

Alberta Votes in Historic Referendum on Separation from Canada

Albertans are voting today in a historic referendum that will determine whether the province should begin a legal process and formal voting on separating from Canada in the future. Around 1.3 million Albertans have already cast their ballots through mail-in voting or advance polls. Premier Danielle Smith has voted in favour of Alberta remaining part of Canada. The ballot paper contains 10 questions. Nine relate to immigration, constitutional issues and demands for greater provincial powers from the federal government, while the 10th concerns separation from Canada. Last week, Prime Minister Ma

Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Alberta Military Training Base

Four Canadian Soldiers Killed in Explosion at Alberta Military Training Base

Four Canadian Armed Forces personnel were killed in an explosion following a wildfire at the Wainwright military training base in Alberta on Saturday, while 39 other soldiers suffered serious burn injuries. Nineteen of the injured remain in critical condition. Military officials acknowledged that they had been aware of the fire but initially did not consider it a threat, as it was approximately one kilometre away and appeared to be under control. Live-fire training was therefore allowed to continue. However, strong gusts of wind suddenly changed the fire’s direction in the evening, allowing

Three Dead, 16 Injured in Calgary Bus Crash and Explosion

Three Dead, 16 Injured in Calgary Bus Crash and Explosion

Three people have died and 16 others, including a police officer, were injured in a bus collision and fire in Calgary on Thursday. All three deceased were passengers on the same bus. Two of the victims have been identified, while the identity of the third is still being confirmed. According to police, the crash involved two transit buses and several other vehicles in the northeastern part of the city. A bus carrying compressed natural gas tanks caught fire, followed by a powerful explosion within seconds. One bus driver managed to escape unharmed, while the driver of the second bus was taken t

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital