July 11, 2024
To Our Valued Roster Colleagues,
A week ago, with the Legal Aid Alberta Governance Agreement expired, the Board and the LAA Team stood up for LAA and for disadvantaged Albertans. We worked around the clock to protect our Governance Agreement, our independence, our team of both staff and the roster, as well as our clients.
As you know, the Minister of Justice, Legal Aid Alberta and the Law Society of Alberta have now agreed to extend the existing Governance Agreement until September 5, 2024. This allows the three parties time to finalize the negotiation of a new Governance Agreement that provides for a long-term and independent legal aid program.
During this challenging time, we received unequivocal backing from roster lawyer associations, letters of support from the judiciary and encouragement from across the country. Your own words of support were powerful and inspirational reminders that Legal Aid Alberta is pivotal to access to justice and upholding the Rule of Law for all Albertans.
I am deeply grateful to the roster for your support, resilience, and for continuing to give the best of yourselves to our shared clients, our organization and to the justice system.
With negotiations for a new Governance Agreement continuing, we are working towards a long-term agreement that delivers a sustainable, flourishing Legal Aid Alberta as we enter our next 50 years of service to disadvantaged Albertans.
Thank you again for your dedication to our shared mission and for your remarkable work.
Sincerely,
Gianpaolo (John) Panusa, KC
President and CEO
Legal Aid Alberta
