New legal aid agreement reached
The Government of Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta have finalized a new long-term governance agreement.
Through a collaborative process, Alberta’s government, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta have signed a new five-year governance agreement, representing a shared understanding of the importance of a high-quality, independent and sustainable legal aid program.
L-R: Ryan Callioux, KC, board chair, Legal Aid Alberta Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General Deanna Steblyk, KC, president, Law Society of Alberta.
The new governance agreement will come into effect on Sept. 6, 2024, and continues until Sept. 5, 2029. By signing this agreement, all involved have committed to ensuring Alberta’s legal aid system remains stable and continues to meet the needs of those who require legal assistance. The new agreement underscores the Alberta government’s commitment to ensuring access to justice for Albertans, recognizing that legal aid is an important service for many Albertans who face financial barriers in accessing legal supports.
“The provision of legal aid services in Alberta is a shared commitment, and one that all the groups involved take very seriously. Our goal is to ensure the sustainability and fiscal accountability of legal aid for all Albertans now and into the future, and this new agreement puts us on the right track,” stated Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.
This agreement is an important step in ensuring access to justice in Alberta, especially for the most disadvantaged in our society. Alberta’s government will continue to work with and consult Legal Aid Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, and other key members of the justice system to ensure decisions regarding the future direction of legal aid services in the province are data driven and guided by the legal needs of vulnerable Albertans. Alberta’s government remains committed to the continuity of legal aid services, funding and working with our partners.
"Access to justice is a fundamental right for all Albertans. Key to this is an independent legal aid system and this agreement specifically codifies these values. We continue to respect that the Government of Alberta has a critical role to ensure fiscal responsibility. Strengthening legal aid will include ongoing conversations that involve the parties to this agreement and our funders, stakeholders and partners, with a commitment to supporting the legal needs of Albertans.”
Agreement Key Highlights:
Provisions for ongoing consultations between the Government of Alberta, Legal Aid Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta and justice system partners that will guide the future direction of legal aid services and funding.
Enhanced collaboration and ensuring that legal aid in Alberta is efficient, responsive to Albertans’ needs, sustainably funded and fiscally responsible.
Legal Aid Alberta’s 2024–25 grant is budgeted to be $110 million.?
The Government of Alberta, the Alberta Law Foundation and the federal government fund legal aid.