Left to right: Ryan Callioux, KC, board chair, Legal Aid Alberta; Mickey Amery, KC, Minister of Justice and Attorney General; Stacy Petriuk, KC, President-Elect (2025-26) of the Law Society of Alberta
On July 16, 2025, the Government of Alberta, the Law Society of Alberta, and Legal Aid Alberta signed a new Governance Agreement that secures stable funding through 2030, strengthening the long-term sustainability and future of legal aid in the province.
This agreement replaces the one signed in 2024 and reaffirms LAA’s role as an independent, non-profit organization committed to providing quality legal services to disadvantaged Albertans.
At the core of this agreement is a shared commitment to LAA’s independence, a principle essential to delivering fair and accessible legal services. After months of consultation and careful evaluation of governance models, all parties agreed that Alberta’s current legal aid structure — a non-profit society with independent oversight — offers the best balance of flexibility, accountability and responsiveness.
This agreement is the result of an open and respectful collaboration between LAA and its partners. It reflects a mutual understanding of the value of legal aid and the importance of protecting access to justice.
With this refreshed framework and funding secured, Albertans can be confident that LAA is well positioned to continue its mission of resolving legal problems for disadvantaged Albertans and upholding the Rule of Law, for the benefit of everyone.
“This new Governance Agreement underscores and safeguards the principle of independence in the delivery of legal aid services in this province,” said Legal Aid Alberta Board Chair, Ryan Callioux, KC.
”It reaffirms Legal Aid Alberta’s role as an essential partner within the justice system and ensures services remain responsive to community needs for years to come. With this agreement in place, we turn our full attention to the work that matters most: delivering legal services to Albertans who need us.”
Minister of Justice and Attorney General Mickey Amery, KC, said the agreement “reflects a shared commitment to maintain an independent, stable and sustainable legal aid system in Alberta – one that can adapt to future challenges while continuing to serve those facing financial barriers to access legal support.”
He added that “Alberta’s government remains committed to ensuring access to justice for all Albertans.”
Please visit the Government of Alberta website to read the full announcement:
News release: Working together to strengthen legal aid (July 17, 2025)
Demand never stops
Legal Aid Alberta is a cornerstone of Alberta’s justice system, assisting Albertans over 319,000 times last year across 75 communities. This agreement acknowledges that Legal Aid Alberta is not just for the marginalized — it is an indispensable pillar of a fair and democratic society. Legal rights are democratic rights.
Our work in the past year includes:
- 136,600 duty counsel assists in court
- 76,000 calls for new applications in our contact centre
- 45,000 full-representation certificates issued for criminal, family, and immigration cases
- 2,900 emergency protection orders to keep families safe
- 33,500 Justice of the Peace bail hearing
- 25,000 Brydges calls from police stations
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