Shaping policy and the justice system

Advocacy | March 21, 2025

CBA Alberta questions on auto insurance reform

The Canadian Bar Association recently had the opportunity to review the Questions from Insurer Stakeholders and responses from Treasury Board and Finance. As the proposed changes to a private no-fault system significantly affect the legal rights of Albertans to access the court system when they are injured, we are asking for a similar opportunity to receive feedback for our members’ concerns.

Advocacy | March 13, 2025

Bill 39: Amendments impacting the operations of the Alberta Law Foundation

At a recent meeting, CBA Alberta’s Legal Aid Working Group had the opportunity to review Bill 39: Financial Statutes Amendment Act, 2025, which includes amendments impacting the Alberta Law Foundation (ALF). Members of the working group, who are senior members of the bar from across Alberta, are concerned about the proposed changes, respectfully.

Advocacy | December 23, 2024

CBA Alberta's updated submissions on auto insurance reform

This letter will express our profound disappointment in the government’s decision to pursue private no-fault auto insurance. It is our view that the trade-off suggested by the Care-First proposal is lower insurance costs for less than adequate insurance coverage, that does not account for the pain and suffering of the victims of bad drivers. This may not be a compromise that Albertans will support, when they understand most, if not all, of the decisions regarding their rights and benefits rest solely in the hands of private companies who stand to financially benefit from those decisions. In our view the significant conflict of interest will very quickly cause hardship, and Albertans will question why private companies are making these decisions while at the same time the right to sue for injuries has been effectively eliminated.

Advocacy | December 19, 2024

Protection of Privacy Act, Access to Information Act and corresponding Regulations

The Canadian Bar Association is the essential ally and advocate for all members of the legal profession and CBA Alberta represents over 5400 lawyers, judges, law teachers and law students. CBA is dedicated to supporting the rule of law and improving the administration of justice in Canada, promoting fair justice systems, and facilitating effective law reform. Members of CBA Alberta’s Privacy & Access Law Section have extensive knowledge and expertise in privacy and access law, and are thus well positioned to provide valuable insight, commentary and recommendations from the legal community on legislative developments in this area.

Advocacy | December 19, 2024

Alberta Law Foundation contributions to Legal Aid Alberta

It has come to our attention that the Government of Alberta may be considering changes to the amount that the Alberta Law Foundation (“ALF”) is required by statute to contribute to the Legal Aid Society of Alberta (“Legal Aid”), which is currently set at 25% of revenue by Section 123(2) of the Legal Professions Act. We are concerned about the impact that this change will have on many of ALF’s other grantees, many of whom are critical players in Alberta’s delivery of access to justice

Advocacy | December 11, 2024

2024 Public Opinion Research on the Justice System

In August and September 2024, Nanos Research on behalf of CBA Alberta conducted public opinion research to better understand Albertans' opinions about our justice system.

The research tells ua that Albertans understand the need for and support investment in a well running justice system.

What do Albertans think? The justice system is “inefficient” and “unjust.”

What, specifically, has Albertan’s attention? Access to Justice and the need to minimize delays

Thoughtful investment in the justice system can help address both these challenges

Advocacy | December 03, 2024

Response to Bills 26, 27 and 29

CBA Alberta and CBA recognize the need for protection for individuals who, as part of their identity, sincerely feel their inner sense of gender does not align with their biological sex at birth and believe being able to change their bodies will reduce self-hate and suicidal ideation. Many CBA Alberta members are concerned that Bills 26, 27 and 29 will not enhance this protection; and in fact, from a legal standpoint will permit greater harm to the interests of these Albertans. Further, we are concerned that this legislation in fact subverts protections, that are already in place in law and practice.

Advocacy | November 29, 2024

CBAAB Response to the Government of Alberta's Survey on Regulation of the Legal Profession

CBA Alberta's written response to a Government of Alberta survey on the regulation of the legal profession, as part of its review of professional regulators in the province.

Advocacy | November 15, 2024

CBAAB Responses to the Government of Alberta's Survey for Legal Aid in Alberta

CBA Alberta's written response to a Government of Alberta survey on the service delivery and governance of Legal Aid Alberta, as part of its engagement with Legal Aid stakeholders as per the terms of the 2025 Legal Aid Alberta Governance Agreement.

Advocacy | August 30, 2024

Updated submission on Auto Insurance Reform

This letter follows and supplements our past oral and written submissions regarding auto insurance reform, and our attendance at the recent Insurance Summit on May 27, 2024. As you are aware, the Canadian Bar Association, Alberta Branch (“CBA Alberta”) is an organization representing nearly 5,500 lawyers in Alberta. The CBA Alberta volunteer Auto Insurance Working Group is comprised of practicing lawyers from two distinct groups: lawyers who primarily work for insurance companies and those who work primarily for Albertans injured in motor vehicle accidents. This group is challenged to reach consensus on the important issues that Automobile Insurance Reform encounters and has done so on the submissions in this letter.

Advocacy | August 02, 2023

Concluding observations of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

We write on behalf of the Alberta Branch of the Canadian Bar Association (CBA Alberta) – Child and Youth Law Sections to enjoin the Government of Alberta to create a detailed Action Plan to effectively implement the many obligations of the state under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Advocacy | March 11, 2020

Auto Insurance Regulation Review

The Canadian Bar Association has been a leader with respect to insurance reform for decades. The CBA passed a resolution in 1974 which is still in place today as follows:

Be it resolved that the right of an individual to recover general damages from the wrongdoer in motor vehicle cases and to have such right adjudicated in the courts is one of the most vital hallmarks of the Canadian system of justice.

As such, CBA Alberta is concerned about any potential changes to the auto insurance regime in this Province and feels an obligation not only to its member lawyers but also to the public, to ensure that any such changes are thoughtful, fair and warranted.