Funding cuts limit access to legal aid

A funding crisis is forcing Alberta Legal Aid to reduce the number of people eligible for legal assistance.

Legal Aid is lowering the income level for eligible clients by 30 per cent. It's part of a one-year pilot project which starts April 6.

"We're currently operating with a funding shortfall. So it does come down to funding," said Legal Aid communications director, Jennifer Fowler. 

The change should save $5.6 million a year. But it means 6,100 fewer people would receive funding to hire a lawyer.

"Legal Aid is not happy with having to reduce eligibility requirements," Fowler said. "But in order to remain sustainable, this is where our biggest expenditure is."

Plan faces $20 million deficit

Legal Aid is funded by the province, the Alberta Law Foundation, investment income and grants.

Overall, funding has dropped by more than 20 per cent over two years, creating a gap of about $20 million a year, according to the 2009 Legal Aid Alberta Review from November 2009.

The Alberta NDP is calling on the province to make up the shortfall so people aren't put at risk of losing access to lawyers.

"Government has a responsibility to properly fund Legal Aid," NDP MLA Rachel Notley said in a news release. "No Albertan is any less deserving of justice than another, and limiting access by 30 per cent means 6,100 Albertans who need legal aid, won't get it."

Other changes to the program include an expansion of services, which include faster needs assessments, family mediation services in Edmonton and Calgary, and the addition of more duty counsel in Edmonton, Calgary, Red Deer and Lethbridge.

Legal Aid and the province plan to review the impact of the changes at the end of the pilot project.