Defense lawyers across the province have voted to extend phase one of their job action in a dispute with the Alberta Government. File photo taken outside of the Lethbridge Courthouse. (Photo: LNN)

By Drew Stremick

Defense lawyers across the province set to increase job action

Aug 11, 2022 | 5:50 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Members of all four of Alberta’s defense lawyer associations have decided to provide less services, and extend the length of its job action after a disappointing meeting with Alberta Justice Minister Tyler Shandro, and CEO of Legal Aid Alberta, John Panusa.

In a news release, the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary) (CDLA), the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (Edmonton) (CTLA), the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers’ Association (SADL), and the Red Deer Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (RDCDLA) say after members began their initial job action on Monday, August 8, 2022, representatives from the organizations met with Shandro and Panusa late that day to discuss Legal Aid Alberta funding. According to the organizations, Minister Shandro, and CEO Panusa refused to recognize that there is a need for additional funding, and they also didn’t offer up any way to resolve the issue.

As a result of what the organizations call a “dismissive” reaction by the Alberta Government, the following actions by members will be extended until September 2, 2022.

Members will refuse legal aid files that would require them to provide the following services:

• Bail only services
• Courtroom duty counsel services
• Complainant counsel services (pursuant to s. 276 of the Criminal Code)
• Cross-examination of complainant services (in cases where an accused is otherwise self-represented)

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

According to Legal Aid Alberta’s annual reports, funding did increase for a number of years starting in 2011. However, after 2019, it began to decrease significantly.

Legal Aid Alberta Revenue from the Province (Graph: LNN)

The organizations say if Minister Shandro and CEO Panusa “continue to bury their heads in the sand,” its members will continue to withdraw legal services.

Defense Attorneys aren’t the only group of legal professionals who are hopeful to negotiate a better deal. Earlier this year, the Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association narrowly avoided job action in May of 2022.

READ MORE: Alberta Crown prosecutor strike averted

READ MORE: Lethbridge News Now

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.