While I certainly do not support the NDP, what we have are two neighbouring NDP government, with two different philosophies as to how government serves people
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| Premier Rachel Notley announces new support for Alberta’s legal aid program |
The
Alberta government is increasing support for legal aid to ensure low-income and
vulnerable Albertans can access the justice system.
Meantime here in British Columbia, our government continues to short-change (some might say plunder) funding resources that should be going to the legal aid system.
A news story out of Alberta today states that, “A $70-million increase over four years will allow Legal Aid Alberta, which manages the province’s legal aid program, to broaden access, improve services and meet future demand. Last year, over 60,000 Albertans accessed Legal Aid, with more than a third of those cases serving family matters. The funding will also make Alberta’s legal system more efficient by minimizing delays and reducing court backlogs.”
It quotes Premier Rachael Notley stating, “Whether it’s a parent fighting for child support, or a survivor of domestic violence fleeing an abusive partner, fairness before the courts shouldn’t depend on the size of a person’s bank account. That’s why we’ve increased funding for legal aid, to make sure it’s there when Albertans need it and that our justice system works for everyone.”
Here's some quick facts about our neighbours next door:
Meantime here in British Columbia, our government continues to short-change (some might say plunder) funding resources that should be going to the legal aid system.
A news story out of Alberta today states that, “A $70-million increase over four years will allow Legal Aid Alberta, which manages the province’s legal aid program, to broaden access, improve services and meet future demand. Last year, over 60,000 Albertans accessed Legal Aid, with more than a third of those cases serving family matters. The funding will also make Alberta’s legal system more efficient by minimizing delays and reducing court backlogs.”
It quotes Premier Rachael Notley stating, “Whether it’s a parent fighting for child support, or a survivor of domestic violence fleeing an abusive partner, fairness before the courts shouldn’t depend on the size of a person’s bank account. That’s why we’ve increased funding for legal aid, to make sure it’s there when Albertans need it and that our justice system works for everyone.”
Here's some quick facts about our neighbours next door:
- this funding boost means that the Alberta government has increased Legal Aid funding by 72 percent since 2015
- Legal Aid Alberta is receiving an additional $14.8 million for 2018-19. This increases the total operating grant to $104.1 million for 2018-19
- by 2021-22, the total operating grant will be $110.4 million.
Meantime
here in BC?
Nearly every story
written, about Legal Aid, always shows it in a crisis due to a lack of funding
... WHY?
In an op / ed piece I wrote on October 1st, I included the following comment from Attorney General Eby:
“… barriers facing access to justice cannot be overcome without a concerted and collaborative effort to create change”. He went on to say, “My ministry is working to ensure that everyone in B.C. experiences equal access to justice”.
NOT TRUE!
While the BC government pledged, in its 2018 budget, to increase investments in the justice sector, promising a total of $56 million over the next three years, the Canadian Bar Association's BC branch had this to say … while the additional funding is welcomed, it only covers a quarter of what is needed to provide services to families and others who cannot afford legal fees.
In an op / ed piece I wrote on October 1st, I included the following comment from Attorney General Eby:
“… barriers facing access to justice cannot be overcome without a concerted and collaborative effort to create change”. He went on to say, “My ministry is working to ensure that everyone in B.C. experiences equal access to justice”.
NOT TRUE!
While the BC government pledged, in its 2018 budget, to increase investments in the justice sector, promising a total of $56 million over the next three years, the Canadian Bar Association's BC branch had this to say … while the additional funding is welcomed, it only covers a quarter of what is needed to provide services to families and others who cannot afford legal fees.
The BC government of the day created a tax on legal services in the 1990’s, of which 100% was to go to funding on Legal Aid in our province.
What happened instead? In typical fashion it was sucked in to General Revenue to be used for other purposes! And in fact, it had its budget reducing substantially!
In 2002, the provincial government reduced funding to the Legal Services Society by nearly 40%.
While I certainly do not support the NDP, what we have are two neighbouring NDP government, with two different philosophies as to how government serves people.
Interesting, wouldn’t you say?
If you missed them, please feel free to check out previous posts I have written on the topic. Two from earlier this month including October1st and October 4th … and one from March 2017.
In Kamloops, I’m Alan Forseth, and I hope you’ll join the discussion on this, or any other topic presented here. Do you agree … disagree? Post your thoughts in the Comment Section directly below.
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