LAA Annual Report 2024-25
Shaping the future of access to justice in a year of change
In 2024–25, Legal Aid Alberta navigated a year of change. Alberta experienced rapid population growth and a challenging economic climate — both factors that significantly increased the demand for legal aid services. Despite the hurdles, we made meaningful progress and laid the groundwork for future innovation. Our work continues to shape the future of Legal Aid Alberta and strengthen access to justice for all Albertans.
At a glance: Our impact over the past year
LAA helps Albertans hundreds of thousands of times a year across 75 communities. LAA’s work in the past year includes:
136,600
76,000
2,900
45,000
33,500
25,000
Key achievements
The fiscal year 2024-25 was marked by significant advancements by Legal Aid Alberta in enhancing the quality of legal aid services to Albertans, improving access to these services and ensuring accountability to all stakeholders.
Governance Agreement signed in September 2024: Reaffirming independence and public interest mission.
Update: A new governance agreement was signed on July 16, 2025, secures long-term funding and reinforces LAA’s independent role in Alberta’s justice system.
- Enhanced Brydges program: Now in-house, ensuring 24/7, 365-day-a-year legal support for detained or arrested Albertans over the phone.
Duty Counsel Day: 1,500 students in 43 classrooms participated nationwide to celebrate and learn more about duty counsel lawyers who provide free legal advice within our practice areas to all Albertans, regardless of income.
Canadian Law Award Winner: LAA received the Lincoln Alexander School of Law Award for Shaping the Future – recognition of our dedication to accessible and equitable justice and tireless work supporting Albertans.
- Strengthened Compliance & Accountability: Implemented an enhanced compliance program, forming a new, integrated Certificate Standards and Compliance unit to review and act on concerns about the conduct of legal aid lawyers. This includes both billing and legal practice issues, reflecting our deep commitment to accountability and delivering quality counsel to Albertans.
Indigenous Justice Initiatives
Since 2022, our indigenous liaison has been focusing on relationship building and collaboration through community outreach to Indigenous clients and communities across Alberta, as well as justice system partners. In the past year, LAA’s involvement in Indigenous activities included internal and external opportunities for learning and connection.
Expanding community-based legal support
Over the last year, LAA enhanced and expanded duty counsel services for the communities of Alexander First Nations, Eden Valley and Mini Thni by holding community office days and helping to support and facilitate remote court appearances.
Fostering cultural understanding
Provided cultural competency training for duty counsel lawyers working in and near Indigenous communities
Hosted a Truth and Reconciliation event featuring retired Justice Eugene Creighton, K.C., and Blaine Raine of Ermineskin Cree Nation
Supporting systemic change
- Active involvement in Indigenous Courts in Calgary and Edmonton, focused on healing and restorative justice
- Participated in provincial and community initiatives, including:
Alberta Court of Justice – Gladue Report Committee
Alberta Court of Justice –Indigenous Access to Justice Committee
Alberta Restorative Justice Association – Restorative
Justice Project
Education and Training Highlights
Legal education is essential to ensuring access to justice and high-quality representation. Legal Aid Alberta is committed to building legal knowledge among its staff, roster lawyers and the public through ongoing training, outreach and community engagement.
LAA Roster and Staff Lawyer Training
- Over the 2024-25 fiscal year, LAA hosted and participated in nearly 40 unique learning, training and community events for staff and lawyers, roster lawyers and Albertans.
Topics included child representation, criminal law, immigration, refugee law, privacy, and more
More than 800 staff, students and roster lawyers attended these events.
Raising public legal literacy
- LAA lawyers made 12 appearances on Global Edmonton Morning News, demystifying everyday legal issues and reaching millions of Albertans with practical legal knowledge.
- LAA team also reached 1,500+ students in 43 schools nationally during Duty Counsel Day, bringing legal education to classrooms across Canada.
- Delivered 26 sessions to more than 1,100 participants on legal topics ranging from child representation to refugee claims and criminal matters.
Career outreach and student engagement
- LAA participated in university and law career days, including events for Indigenous and Black student law associations, hosted information booths for approximately 850 students and community members.
- Launched training programs for articling students and summer interns.
600+ Albertans
registered for our webinar Children and the law: Representing kids in high conflict family cases on Feb. 7, 2025. LAA lawyers discussed the ins and outs of children’s rights when it comes to family legal matters – including why children’s voices matter – and how LAA represents children in high-conflict parenting situations
Looking forward
With Alberta’s growing population and evolving legal needs, Legal Aid Alberta remains committed to delivering accessible, quality legal services across the province, now and into the future.