Today’s special edition of the eBulletin marks the second issue of the Access to Justice edition. As introduced in our inaugural edition last October, the aim of this eBulletin is to highlight access to justice issues within Alberta and promote awareness of key pro bono initiatives to the greater legal community. Access to justice is one of the central tenets of the our 2020-2024 Strategic Plan, and we hope to continue to promote the affordability and availability of legal services and remove regulatory barriers to access where reasonable and appropriate.

When the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic led to the closure of most courthouses in Alberta, student volunteers and administrators from both Student Legal Services (SLS) in Edmonton and Student Legal Assistance (SLA) in Calgary had to rethink their approach to providing legal information and assistance to their clients. While serving low-income Albertans is the primary mission of these organizations, neither had encountered a situation where issues with access to justice were less about having funds and more about being physically unable to engage with the justice system.

With offices housed in the law schools of the University of Alberta and University of Calgary, respectively, SLS and SLA had to make several significant changes to adapt to the new “normal” as both locations were closed during the campus shutdown in the spring. Deciding how to move forward with their respective mandates in a time of social distancing and remote work created new challenges and opportunities for students, advising lawyers and administration. Click here to read the full story.

For those interested in learning more about access to justice issues, Poverty and the Law: Expanding Perspectives is a free, interactive online module provided by the Justice Sector Constellation. The module will equip you to better serve your clients and communities through an understanding of the issues that arise at the intersection of poverty and the legal system.

The module includes learning outcomes, discussion questions, a reflective journal to encourage interaction with the module, and a knowledge check. You may print out a Certificate of Completion once you have successfully passed the knowledge check (70 per cent correct required). The module takes approximately 2 to 2.5 hours to read, excluding time you may spend with the reflective journal.

The module may also be used in an educational or group setting. To support those efforts, an instructor’s resource, found at Poverty and the Law: Expanding Perspectives - Instructor's Resource, includes additional activities that can be used to encourage engagement with the content of the module.

Both the module and the instructor’s resource are free to you, thanks to funding from the Catalyst Fund of Enough for All, Calgary’s poverty reduction strategy.

Volunteer recruitment continues to be a challenge for many Approved Legal Services Providers (ALSPs) in Alberta. Under the Law Society’s ALSP program, these providers offer pro bono legal advice on various topics, allowing underserved individuals to receive the advice and support they need.

If you are able, consider volunteering with an ALSP to alleviate some of the stress the pro bono legal community is currently facing due to the economic situation and pandemic. These important organizations further promote access to justice in Alberta, and any contribution you can make to their success is highly appreciated.

The following list provides a brief overview of the specific volunteer positions that various ALSPs are in need of. Visit our website for more information on each ALSP and what they do.

The Alberta Prison Justice Society (APJS) is an organization devoted to addressing injustices in correctional institutions.

Calgary Legal Guidance provides legal assistance, information and support to people who would not otherwise have access to such services. Their free public legal advice and education, ID clinics and specialized legal programs help people navigate the legal system and understand their rights.

Calgary Legal Guidance is also looking specifically for family lawyers who are experienced in Child and Family Services issues or are looking to learn more in this area to be able to provide legal advice and information. This need is related to a new program they are hoping to launch in the coming months.

The Community Legal Clinic offers free legal advice to people who qualify for the service. Their head office is located in Red Deer, however they also provide legal services throughout Central Alberta, as well as in Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray and Lloydminster.

The Edmonton Community Legal Centre (ECLC) provides effective advocacy and access to justice in a supportive environment to persons living with low income. It is unique in its holistic approach to legal problems, situating the individual and family within the broader picture of their personal, financial and social circumstances.

View the ECLC website for inspirational videos featuring volunteer lawyers and what they love about working with the clinic.

Lethbridge Legal Guidance provides clinical legal services to vulnerable persons who cannot afford legal services and provides public legal information on a variety of law topics. They work to bridge the access to justice gap so individuals who are living in poverty are not further discriminated against and marginalized.

The Volunteer Lawyer Services Program is the umbrella program for PBLA’s pro bono programs and initiatives. It is comprised of three main sub-programs: the Volunteer Lawyers Services Roster, the Civil Claims Duty Counsel (CCDC) Project and the Queen’s Bench Court Assistance Program (QB Amicus). Read more about each program on their website.

Please note that the CCDC Project and QB Amicus Program are now running virtually, with services delivered using phone and videoconferencing platforms. Training and ongoing support is provided for volunteers.

For more information, email either civilclaims@pbla.ca for the CCDC Project or courtassistance@pbla.ca for the QB Amicus program.

The Women’s Centre provides a safe and supportive space accessed by thousands of women in Calgary. As part of their services, they host free legal advice clinics for women, working to create a safe, empathetic and non-judgmental space where women are able to gain information and support.

If your organization is interested in learning more about the ALSP program, this introductory webinar is an excellent place to start. This session will help individuals and organizations who are involved in pro bono legal services to understand the ALSP program, its benefits and how an organization can become eligible for ALSP status. View the full webinar on our website.