Opinion: Without a boost to legal aid, Albertans will fail

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The mediocre actions the Albertan government is taking to “modernize legal aid” are pulling Albertans through the cracks in the system. Albertans seeking justice across the province are experiencing greater stress, lingering trauma and injustice as more criminal cases continue to be delayed. The right to a fair trial in a reasonable time and qualified legal representation under the Charter of Rights and Freedoms is not respected.

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Albertans are forced to pay out of pocket to barely cover their daily expenses, undermining their ability to seek justice. It is wrong to have to choose between justice and having food and a roof over the heads of the family. The lack of proper support and necessary changes to the legal aid system have created a domino effect that many Albertans are unaware of.

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Criminal trial delays cause significant delays in all areas, from child welfare to family, business and civil law. This is because criminal cases take precedence in courts. This has left Albertans awaiting child custody hearings living in stress and uncertainty for months, sometimes years, until family matters are finally resolved. This means that victims at work or waiting for compensation for injuries can navigate painful lives and suffer much longer before finding relief. In some cases, if criminal trials are delayed too long, the defendant is released and the victim is left to survive with remaining mental health and precious time lost.

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The Criminal Defense Lawyers Association and the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association have seen the effects of government inaction on Alberta Legal Aid worsen over the years. The government’s failure to respond in a meaningful way only increases lawyers’ concern for the well-being of defendants, victims, and those navigating this system. So do lawyers desperately trying to support them. If this issue is not addressed soon, future cases that are dragged on and ultimately pending will continue to be a major concern. We should not fear that we will not receive justice.

CDLA, CTLA and Legal Aid Attorneys are working tirelessly to get the attention of the Alberta Government and Minister of Justice Tyler Shandro. These groups are calling on Prime Minister Daniel Smith to take immediate action to address the very serious problems going on within the justice system.

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At the heart of the issue is enabling families to meet the financial eligibility guidelines in order to qualify as an attorney with legal aid. It is to resolve cases through the court system within a fair and reasonable timeframe. It’s about families, children, witnesses, victims and accused being tried in court.

Our new government has significantly increased the salaries of the Royal Prosecutor, but has turned a blind eye to the dire situation within the Alberta Legal Aid System.Serious trials continue to be postponed In both Calgary and Edmonton, Legal Aid Albertans are unable to find attorneys to appoint and assist victims. It is important to ask them to take appropriate action. The time has come for Albertans navigating the court system to be treated with compassion, dignity and the respect they deserve.

Danielle Boisvert is a criminal defense attorney at Oykhman Criminal Defense Law in Edmonton and president of the Criminal Trial Lawyers’ Association, representing all defendants and defense counsel on a variety of matters involving stakeholders in the criminal justice system. working to defend.