Legal Aid Alberta provides coverage for the following types of immigration matters:
We do not provide coverage for non-Immigration and Refugee Board matters, such as Judicial Reviews not involving refugee determinations; Humanitarian and Compassionate applications; Pre-Removal Risk Assessments; Danger opinions, etc.
It can often be confusing for immigration clients to know when they should call Legal Aid Alberta for a lawyer. The general rule is that they should call BEFORE a hearing date has been scheduled, or a filing deadline has passed.
Here is a more detailed table to help you and your clients determine when people should be contacting Legal Aid Alberta to apply for coverage.
Matter Type | When Clients Should Call Legal Aid |
Admissibility | After they have received notice from Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) that a section 44 report has been issued, and a request has been sent to the Immigration Division (“ID”) to schedule an admissibility hearing. |
Detention | Immediately upon arrest and detention by CBSA (before 48-hour hearing), or in advance of next scheduled hearing (specifically, clients should call our office right away after the ID Member has ordered continued detention). |
Removal | Immediately upon receipt of the negative ID order. |
Refugee | After they have completed an eligibility interview, and their matter has been referred to the Refugee Protection Division (“RPD”). |
Refugee Appeals | Immediately upon receipt of the negative RPD decision. |
Judicial Review re Refugee protection | Immediately upon receipt of the negative RPD or Refugee Appeal Division (“RAD”) decision. |
Ministerial Appeals | Immediately upon receiving communication from the Minister or the Immigration and Refugee Board that the Minister has made an application. |
Once a client’s application and financial assessment is complete, and the client is found to be eligible, an offer is forwarded for representation.
We are constantly improving LAA’s technology to help us better serve Albertans.
The Lawyer Portal and Duty Counsel Portal will be unavailable from Thursday, Feb. 27, from 6 p.m. to midnight for a routine technology update.
Once the systems are restored you will notice a few minor changes to authorization requests for Change of Counsels:
Here’s when to use each option:
In addition, this update will also fix a minor bug of the highest-level charge on a certificate appearing blank.
We appreciate your patience and understanding.
We’re working hard to make your interactions with LAA straightforward and efficient. That’s why you’ll soon see changes on the LAA Roster Resources web pages.
Roster resources is the central location for all things roster and we’re making it easier to access the important information you need, quickly, through a better navigation system and cleaner design.
Mark your calendars, Legal Aid Alberta is hosting a virtual training session focused on child welfare on Wednesday, March 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Further details and the sign-up link will be shared in the March 6 edition of the Roster Report.
