Alberta lawyers extend job action, threaten more after 'disrespectful' meeting with Shandro
CTV
Four Alberta legal associations teamed up Thursday to accuse Justice Minister Tyler Shandro of being "dismissive" and playing politics in a recent meeting over compensation for legal aid services.
Four Alberta legal associations teamed up Thursday to accuse Justice Minister Tyler Shandro of being "dismissive" and playing politics in a recent meeting over compensation for legal aid services.
Shandro met Monday with members of the Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (Calgary, CDLA), the Criminal Trial Lawyers Association (Edmonton, CTLA), the Southern Alberta Defence Lawyers’ Association (SADL) and the Red Deer Criminal Defence Lawyers Association (RDCDLA) who jointly claim they are being treated as if they are "selling widgets for pennies."
"To say the meeting was disappointing would be a gross understatement," stated a letter signed by all four presidents.
"We quickly realized we were the only ones prepared to speak frankly about access to justice in Alberta."
A spokesperson for Shandro had a different take on the meeting.
"Alberta’s government found the meeting to be respectful and appreciated the arguments advanced by all four associations," press secretary Joseph Dow told CTV News Edmonton.
The lawyers are asking for "an immediate increase to the legal aid budget and a concrete commitment to fair compensation."
