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

Defence lawyers in Alberta will stop taking serious legal aid

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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.

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