While Legal Aid Alberta’s staff and roster lawyers, along with their support staff, work tirelessly to ensure that disadvantaged Albertans are able to enjoy their legal rights and the freedoms guaranteed under The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, we recognize that these liberties have come at a cost.
Canadians have paid with their lives to ensure we can enjoy these freedoms. Especially at this time of year, we want to show our respect and thanks to members of our staff and roster who have served, as well as those who continue to so do as Reservists.
For example, Paul Welke, one of Legal Aid’s Roster Relations Liaisons, had a military career before joining the legal profession. He enlisted in the Army Reserve at 17 years of age, eventually transferred to a Royal Canadian Air Force unit, 408 Tactical Helicopter Squadron. While employed as a member of the Intelligence Branch with 408 Squadron, Welke deployed twice with the NATO Stabilization Force as a peacekeeper to Bosnia-Herzegovina in 2001 and 2004.
This is just one of many examples. Law is a helping profession. It is no surprise that some of the people who choose to serve their country so selflessly in this way would make the choice to apply their skills and integrity to protect the rights of disadvantaged people in Alberta.
Legal Aid Alberta provides legal services in 75 communities across the province. These cities and towns – and others, will hold public ceremonies on Remembrance Day. Attend these ceremonies if you are able, and take a moment at 11 a.m. November 11 to silently thank and remember those who have paid a debt on our behalf that we will never be able to pay back.