
Defense lawyers no longer taking on serious cases as job action ramps up
LETHBRIDGE, AB – Many defense lawyers across Alberta are sending a message to the provincial government that enough is enough.
Members of 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 Lawyers Association (“RDCDLA”) are taking what they say are “drastic steps” as they increase job action.
SADL President Greg White says legal aid in Alberta has been severely underfunded for many years now and, despite the scope of their work increasing, pay has not followed.
When a person is unable to afford a private lawyer, they can apply to have a legal aid lawyer represent them at no cost. The lawyers are compensated through the provincial government’s legal aid tariff.