Skip to Main content

13.81°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Aug 19, 2022 2:25 PM - THE CANADIAN PRESS

Defence lawyers in Alberta will stop taking serious legal aid

Share On

Groups representing defence lawyers in a dispute with Alberta over funding say their members will not take on serious criminal offence cases starting on September 1st.

The groups include the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association in Calgary, the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association in Edmonton, the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers Association and the Red Deer Criminal Lawyers Association.

The types of cases they will refuse include most sexual offences, firearms-related offences, all homicides and dangerous offender proceedings.

They say defence lawyers are taking the action following a meeting with Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, who they say was dismissive of their concerns.

The province says it has already increased legal aid spending.

Latest news

nijjar-murder-case-fbi-announces-reward-for-goldy-brars-arrest

CanadaSep 28, 2026

Nijjar Murder Case: FBI Announces Reward for Goldy Brar’s Arrest

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) have announced a reward for information leading to the arrest of Satinderjit Singh, alias Goldy Brar, who is wanted in connection with the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. The announcement was made Monday during a press conference in Los Angeles by FBI Assistant Director Patrick Grady and RCMP Assistant Commissioner Lisa Moreland. Authorities said Brar has been linked to serious offences including murder, extortion and drug trafficking. Brar was also charged in a U.S. court in July in connection with al

eby-targets-trumps-trade-war-pledges-to-double-b-c-critical-mineral-exports

Eby Targets Trump’s Trade War, Pledges to Double B.C. Critical Mineral Exports

B.C. NDP Leader David Eby targeted U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war during an election campaign stop in Prince Rupert on Monday, pledging to double the province’s critical mineral exports over the next five years if his government is re-elected. Eby said B.C.’s response to the trade war is to sell its natural resources to more markets around the world, creating jobs and supporting the provincial economy. He also criticized the B.C. Conservatives, claiming they could cancel projects covered by agreements his government has reached with the federal government if they come to power.

WorldSep 28, 2026

One Killed, 19 Injured in Russian Drone Attack on Kyiv

One person was killed and 19 others were injured in a Russian drone attack on Ukraine’s capital Kyiv on Monday. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the drone struck the National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv. Six of the injured were taken to hospital for treatment. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia also targeted a pharmaceutical company, petrol stations and a medical facility in the city. He said Russia has recently increased its use of high-speed jet drones, which are proving difficult for Ukrainian air defences to intercept. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Russi

B.C. Conservatives Say Lorne Doerkson Could Remain Leader for Years Without Leadership Vote

The B.C. Conservatives say interim leader Lorne Doerkson could remain at the helm of the party for years without a leadership vote if the Conservatives win the Oct. 24 provincial election. According to a legal opinion obtained by the party, Doerkson would be invited by the Lieutenant-Governor to serve as premier if the Conservatives form government. He could then remain party leader until the board decides to call a leadership election, a process that could take 18 months or longer. The legal opinion, prepared for the party and sent to president Mauro Francis, says the party’s constitution

BC Conservatives, Centre BC Announce Candidates for Upcoming Election

The BC Conservative Party has announced incumbent MLA Harmaan Bhangu as its candidate for Langley-Abbotsford. Bhangu was first elected as an MLA in 2024. In a statement, he said serving the riding over the past two years has been one of the greatest honours of his life. Meanwhile, Centre BC, led by Elenore Sturko, has nominated Kuldeep Rangi in Delta North. Rangi operates a real estate marketing brokerage business. The party has also named Raman Sharma as its candidate in Surrey City Centre. Sharma is the president of the Tradesmen Association of BC, which he founded in 2016. In Surrey North,

Related News

Alberta, Ontario Premiers to Discuss Energy Policy in Calgary

Alberta, Ontario Premiers to Discuss Energy Policy in Calgary

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford are set to meet in Calgary today to discuss Canada’s energy policy and ways to bring the country’s natural resources to global markets. The discussion comes as Canada continues to deal with shifting geopolitical tensions and an ongoing tariff dispute with the United States. Energy has been a key priority for Smith’s government, including efforts to expand oil exports to the British Columbia coast and markets in Asia. Smith has rejected using oil as leverage in the tariff dispute with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford, however,

Alberta Referendum Mail-in Ballot Deadline Is Tonight

Alberta Referendum Mail-in Ballot Deadline Is Tonight

Friday is the final day for Albertans to apply for a mail-in ballot for the upcoming referendum. Elections Alberta will accept applications until midnight tonight. Completed special ballot packages must be received by Elections Alberta by 5 p.m. on October 16. As of Thursday afternoon, approximately 673,000 Albertans had requested mail-in ballots, a sharp increase from the 59,589 special ballot requests recorded during the 2023 provincial election. Elections Alberta has attributed the high demand, in part, to changes that removed the requirement to provide a reason for requesting a special bal

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Calgary Police Seize Cache of Weapons, Arrest 3; 20 Charges Laid

Police have seized a large cache of weapons and arrested three people following a search of a home in northeast Calgary. According to police, officers executed a search warrant on Sept. 10 at a residence in the 100 block of Covington Rise N.E. The search resulted in the seizure of a Glock 17 handgun, an H&R Arms Co. .22-calibre revolver, a 3D-printed Glock 18 handgun, a 3D-printed Glock magazine and suppressor, a 3D printer and a replica BB gun. Staff Sgt. Matt Gao said every illegal firearm seized helps reduce the risk of someone being seriously harmed or killed in the community. The thre

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital