Legal Aid Alberta contract extended to September, negotiations with province to resume

A recently expired contract for the publicly funded society that provides independent legal aid for low-income Albertans has been extended. 

In a joint release issued late Friday afternoon, Legal Aid Alberta (LAA), the Ministry of Justice and the Law Society of Alberta said LAA's governance agreement has been extended until Sept. 5.

"The extension ensures the independence of Legal Aid Alberta. All parties agree this is necessary to carry out its mission of upholding the rule of law and protecting the rights of disadvantaged Albertans in the justice system," the release reads.

On Tuesday, LAA issued a release stating that it had been negotiating a new governance agreement for several months, but the ministry suddenly halted negotiations and terminated the agreement.

It had said at the time that its current governance agreement expired on June 30.

The extension will allow the three parties time to finalize negotiations around a new governance agreement, the statement reads, which will provide for a long-term and independent legal aid program.

"We look forward to good faith negotiations and establishing a long-term governance agreement that ensures independent legal advice and assistance for vulnerable and disadvantaged Albertans in the justice system," wrote Ryan Callioux, LAA board chair, in the release.

Justice Minister Mickey Amery wrote in the release that the Alberta government was "committed to ensuring legal aid is available to all Albertans and remains sustainable for the long-term."

"We will continue to engage with Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta to finalize an agreement in the best interest of Albertans," Amery said.

The extension means legal aid certificates will continue to be issued.

The justice system will also continue to operate while negotiations continue, the release said.