CALGARY — Alberta defence lawyers are worried a lack of new dollars as a result of slumping oil prices could put the Legal Aid system back into crisis mode.
The provincial government announced last fall it would increase funding for Legal Aid by $5.5 million and make it easier for low-income earners to qualify.
That came after Legal Aid closed six regional offices and laid off staff in Calgary, Whitecourt and Lethbridge last summer.
Lawyers threatened job action at the time to try to pressure the government to provide an additional $8 million a year.
Ian Savage, president of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association in Calgary, says he received indications in December that the Alberta government was going to increase funding for Legal Aid by $11 million on an annual basis, but now he’s not so sure.
An Alberta government official says it’s too soon to predict what will come out of the budget.
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