With the St. Paul office ranking third on the caseload list outside of Edmonton and Calgary, a new legal aid deal took effect in Alberta on Friday, Sep. 6.
The St. Paul legal aid office issued 3,221 certificates last year and covers areas from Athabasca, the Lakelands, Lloydminster, Vermilion, Vegreville, and Wainwright.
Legal Aid Alberta has been negotiating with the government since July and the new arrangement will see $110 million going to pay the cost of Albertans needing legal aid in 2024-25. Albertans earning under $30,000 a year may be eligible for the assistance.
“Access to justice is a fundamental right for all Albertans,” says Ryan Cailloux, the board chair of Legal Aid Alberta.
The new agreement continues until Sept. 5, 2029.
The Alberta government, the Law Foundation, and the federal government fund Legal Aid.