Group calls for improved Legal Aid funding

A group of mothers gathered at the legislature on Saturday, calling on the provincial government to provide more assistance to Albertans who cannot afford legal representation.

Mothers in Support of Fair Trials held a rally where they demanded the province properly fund Legal Aid.

• Alberta judges order more cases covered by legal aid
• Lawyers threaten job action over Legal Aid underfunding
• Legal Aid faces cuts without another $8M each year

Earlier this year Legal Aid Alberta, a non-profit agency that provides legal services to people in need, tightened its financial eligibility guidelines, leaving more low-income Albertans accused of crimes without lawyers as their cases get to court.

In July the organization announced it was cutting jobs in Calgary and closing all six of its offices in northern Alberta in an effort to save $4 million dollars over three years.

"We are truly staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Suzanne Polkosnik, CEO and president of the non-profit agency in April.

Eda Loomes was at the rally and said the cuts to Legal Aid funding are disappointing, given Alberta is a wealthy province.

“They are not poor enough to get legal assistance and yet the money they make is not enough to support a lawyer,” Loomes said. “Especially in Alberta, I’m very very disappointed with our government.”

Earlier this week Premier Jim Prentice sent out mandate letters to all of his newly appointed ministers outlining his expectations and priorities for each portfolio.

In his letter to justice minister Jonathan Denis, Prentice said he had to “ensure appropriate funding for Legal Aid.”

Shannon Prithipaul, president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association and member of the group that hosted Saturday’s event, said the letter is encouraging.

“It made me feel hopeful,” Prithipaul said. “I hope that the government understands that its not just an issue about lawyers or judges or the justice system. This is an issue that affects all Albertans.”