Achieve Legal

02/10/2025

How do we do Access to Justice (or, First they came for Legal Aid...)
(This post is hosted at https://news.achievelegal.ca/2025/02/how-do-we-do-access-to-justice-or-first.html and is best viewed there, including hyperlinks and proper formatting)

A disturbing headline crossed my screen a month ago: "Potential changes to Legal Aid Alberta funding... " And honestly, like many others in my profession, I almost scrolled

right past it. After all, didn't they just do that dance last September with

the new

funding agreement ?

Then I got an e-mail from Calgary Legal Guidance. It linked to

DefendAccesstoJustice . It looks like we have a problem that's going to impact more than just Legal Aid.

Before I go on, I reviewed over 40 annual reports, news articles, and

analyses of Legal Aid funding in Alberta. For my podcast-loving readers, I

used Google's NotebookLM to generate an AI audio summary of this research. It's not perfect,

but it's a fascinating example of new technology. Give it a listen !

What's going on?

Legal Aid provides subsidized legal representation to low-income Albertans

(mostly in criminal and family law cases). It is funded by the government (75% of

its operating revenue), the Alberta Law Foundation (under 20%), and client

recoveries/donations (around 5%).

The Alberta Law Foundation (ALF) receives most of its funding through Interest

on Lawyers' Trust Accounts (IOLTA). Lawyers in Alberta mostly deposit

client funds into pooled trust accounts. The interest earned on these accounts

is

required to

go to the ALF, which funds various legal

programs. ALF must put 25% of

its IOLTA revenue to Legal Aid—$38 million in 2024.

The rest goes to a

veritable laundry list of community programmes , from law libraries to public legal education to community legal assistance.

Calgary Legal Guidance (with which I have a

personal connection ), for example, gets over 70% of its funding from the ALF. These funds help

the people that Legal Aid doesn't represent by providing them with legal

advice, information, and services that help them help themselves.

Well, that requirement may be changing. The Provincial Government is

considering requiring ALF to send 50% of its IOLTA receipts to

Legal Aid Alberta, meaning that, in 2024, $38 million less would be available

for public legal assistance.

What's really going on?

The Alberta government wants to cut costs, but defunding Legal Aid is

unpopular. Is their solution just to force the ALF, whose revenues and

expenses are not shown in the Provincial Budget, to cover their cost cutting?

The honourable Ministers of His Majesty have not said. Believe me, I've asked.

I was promised confirmation if this shift in funds wasn't

going to happen.

I didn't receive that confirmation.

So it sure looks like a sleight of hand. The Ministry of Justice gets to claim a $38 million spending decrease in the upcoming "Recessionary Budget (thanks, Trump)TM " AND Legal Aid gets its funding. Who says no?

What's wrong with this picture?

25% of the ALF's IOLTA funds are already doing a lot of good elsewhere; and,

IOLTA is not a stabilizing force in community legal support.

Let's start with #2. The "I" in IOLTA is interest . This means that it

fluctuates with interest rates (which might be decreasing soon). The

ALF's IOLTA receipts ranged from $7 million to $156 million in the past six

years. Community organizations that rely on the ALF are used to this

volatility, but Legal Aid can't be.

Legal Aid is the first line of defense for Albertans facing legal trouble who

can't afford lawyers. But it's already underfunded. A family of four earning

over $50,000 a year likely won't qualify. A single person is ineligible around

$30k. These are current numbers - they could go down or not respond to

inflation if suddenly more of Legal Aid's funding is dependent on interest

rates.

Just for reference, the

Alberta Living Wage Network Calgarian living wage is estimated at $24.45/hour (about

$42,000.00/year).

So, what happens when that family of four loses their $55,000/year income or

Legal Aid suffers a massive decrease in its funding thanks to interest rates

plummeting? That family has to turn to ALF-funded community legal services

like Calgary Legal Guidance.

Here's the #1: the changes proposed will decrease the pool of money for those

community legal services by 33%. A 33% cut to over 70% of their budgets means

far fewer people served - especially those who fall through Legal Aid's

cracks. Community legal groups help vastly more people than Legal Aid with a

significantly wider field of issues. If you paper over Legal Aid's cracks

using pieces of the community groups, the community groups could wind up

catching less people.

If Legal Aid isn't being expanded to help more

people, and the safety net below it is shrinking, more people will be left

desperate. All, potentially, to make the government's budget look $38 million

smaller.

If you've come this far...

Look, I'm one of the last people to advocate for more government spending. I'm

still irate that we spent money

lobbying Hollywood to make more oil-friendly movies . For the record, that was a $30 million budget line.

However, community legal programs are essential. They're not just a safety

net; they're a foundation, providing legal information, advice, and even some

representation. They help students, Indigenous people, and many others. I've

seen the amazing work of

Calgary Legal Guidance

firsthand, and it's just one of

dozens of beneficiaries of the ALF . There's no backup plan below these services. Losing them means people will

be forced to choose between legal help and basic necessities.

Visit

DefendAccessToJustice.com to

learn how you can help protect access to justice in Alberta. Don't let them

get away with this shell game. We can cut budgets without locking the law

further behind a paywall.

https://news.achievelegal.ca/2025/02/how-do-we-do-access-to-justice-or-first.html

A disturbing headline crossed my screen a month ago: " Potential changes to Legal Aid Alberta funding... " And honestly, like many others...

03/07/2022

It’s Member Monday! Our featured member is Achieve Legal.

Terry founded Achieve Legal to give himself the chance to serve his clients his way and on his terms. Never one to back down from an intellectual challenge, Terry looks forward to seeing Achieve Legal grow and develop the relationships that are so central to our rural and small-town life.

Terry was born the son of hard-working business owners in the foothills of southern Alberta. His upbringing centered on hard work, business, and the value of a hand shake. He completed high school in Okotoks, Alberta, received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics with a Business Option in Fredericton, New Brunswick, and obtained the degree of Juris Doctor in Edmonton, Alberta.

Terry was called to the bars of Alberta and Nunavut in 2012. He has practiced almost exclusively civil litigation since that time, and has appeared before various levels of Court in Alberta and Nunavut. He has represented clients in mediation, arbitration, judicial dispute resolution, and case conferences. His clients have challenged him with a wide variety of issues spanning many fields of law.

11/12/2021

Thank You to Calgary Legal Guidance
(This post is hosted at https://news.achievelegal.ca/2021/11/thank-you-to-calgary-legal-guidance.html and is best viewed there, including hyperlinks and proper formatting)

I was recently bestowed the title of Calgary Legal Guidance's 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Their spotlight, including my comments to Calgary Legal Guidance itself, is available here:

https://clg.ab.ca/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/2021-Volunteer-of-the-Year.pdf

Equally humbling was public recognition by my family and an absolutely awesome writeup by Darlene Caston of the Okotoks Western Wheel.

https://www.okotokstoday.ca/local-news/okotoks-lawyer-honoured-for-his-generosity-4713405

I've had the distinct honour of volunteering for Calgary Legal Guidance for a few years now. It's been a gratifying and rewarding experience. It's worth a reminder of what this organization does; they're always there for such a wide range of people, and I have confidence in the work that the organization does.

CLG runs a number of different programs:

Homeless Outreach Law Program Elder Law Program Family Law Program (Family Violence) Social Benefits Advocacy Program Immigration Law Program Sahwoo mohkaak tsi ma taas (Blackfoot for “Before Being Judged”) It also provides various clinics, particularly legal advice clinics (an evening legal clinic giving its clients access directly to a lawyer), do your own divorce clinics, and ID clinics. They have a wide range of partnership outreach clinics. It provides legal education on family law, wills and estates, and landlord and tenant issues.

The sheer volume of services that it provides, often for free, is simply amazing.

Anybody who is looking for some legal advice, legal information, or legal services for those who are most vulnerable and needing some assistance, please send them CLG's way

CLG's Website Phone: 403-234-9266 Lawyers, legal-adjacent, legal-interested, and anybody looking for a donation target, I can't recommend this source enough. Their "Get Involved" page is right here : https://clg.ab.ca/get-involved-2/

To the Board of Directors, Mariana Giacomin (Executive Director), Kim Feodoroff (Volunteer Coordinator), the Honourable Judge Ola Malik, and all of the staff and other volunteers at Calgary Legal Guidance, I cannot possibly thank you all enough for such a phenomenal recognition of my own efforts but, even more importantly, for the efforts of Calgary Legal Guidance that go far above and beyond the small role that I am able to play in it. Best wishes as we continue to work together to improve access to justice.

https://news.achievelegal.ca/2021/11/thank-you-to-calgary-legal-guidance.html

I was recently bestowed the title of Calgary Legal Guidance's 2021 Volunteer of the Year. Their spotlight, including my comments to Calgary ...

11/04/2021

So grateful and proud to be a part of such an a amazing community.

Read the full story and comment on OkotoksToday.ca

05/19/2021

Point of Personal Privilege: Our Family Expands!
(This post is hosted at https://news.achievelegal.ca/2021/05/point-of-personal-privilege-our-family.html and is best viewed there, including hyperlinks and proper formatting)

A point of personal privilege: Please welcome my son William to the world.

William joined our family at the end of April. We've had an exciting couple of months, to say the least. His two big sisters absolutely adore him and our family couldn't be happier.

Sasha and William are both doing well. William has already joined the office; the best place for his bassinet is right behind me, so my meeting background has changed somewhat.

Thank you all for your best wishes and patience during this time, and I look forward to helping you out with that new-dad-energy that comes from this special time.

https://news.achievelegal.ca/2021/05/point-of-personal-privilege-our-family.html

A point of personal privilege: Please welcome my son William to the world. William joined our family at the end of April. We've had an excit...

04/04/2021

Thank you for being such wonderful clients!

11/11/2020

2020: Lest We Forget



Remember. In years past, it's always been a simple reminder. Everybody that you passed wore a poppy, from the end of October until November 11. Veterans, members of the Legion, volunteers, Scouts, and hundreds of others at the supermarket and in the malls, standing behind the little white boxes. An endless supply of quarters dug frantically out of our pockets when we walked into a store with a box and a coin slot, and realized that the poppy we bought is laying on the ground somewhere between there and the last place we bought it.

Signs of Remembrance. This year, it's been harder to do. I, for one, haven't seen as many people at all, let alone seen the poppies dotting every chest. I myself have forgotten mine on my few, unexpected trips out. Social distancing, and a general need to stay safe by staying away have kept us from our remembrance activities this year.

Lest We Forget Today is Remembrance Day.

Did you miss your annual Poppy Drive payment? Donate .

Are you at home and not going to make it to a ceremony? Watch the live stream . Or, grab it on replay. Don't forget that you can watch CBC anywhere you are, free, online . Time shift away.

And, on the eleventh hour, wherever you are, stop. Thank you to everyone who serves, however you serve. Thank you to everyone who has served, and will serve. May God bless you, and thank you for what you do to make our country proud, strong, and free.

Remember. In years past, it's always been a simple reminder. Everybody that you passed wore a poppy, from the end of October until Novembe...

08/11/2020

Enjoying our beautiful country.

07/15/2020

A great local story starring our own member of Foothills Music Society: Sasha Meyers

Read the full story and comment on OkotoksToday.ca

07/02/2020

Achieve: Judgment - Take a Run at This!
presents...

Achieve: Judgment Take a Run at This! "All Rise. This Court is now in session. The Honourable Judge You is presiding. We look forward to your review of this case and your decision, your Honour."

The Honourable Judge You Thank you Mr. Clerk. Please be seated. This is the matter of Hammer Head Ltd. v. Gable. Mr. Gable hired Hammer Head Ltd. to re-roof his house. The owner of Hammer Head Ltd., Ms. Niall, personally negotiated the price with Mr. Gable, attended Mr. Gable's property, and single-handedly re-roofed his house. Ms. Niall testified that she is the sole owner and employee of Hammer Head Ltd., and that she is owed $11,243.59 by Mr. Gable.

Mr. Gable reiterated repeatedly that he doesn't know why he is here; after all, he was just here on this same matter only four months ago, and my brother the Honourable Judge Bright dismissed that hearing.

Four months ago, at a simplified trial, Judge Bright dismissed the matter of Niall v. Gable, in which Ms. Niall, personally, sued Mr. Gable for the $11,243.59. Judge Bright ruled that Mr. Gable hired Hammer Head Ltd., not Ms. Niall personally, and that Ms. Niall's failure to sue on behalf of her company was fatal to her claim. That decision was not appealed.

Hammer Head Ltd. filed this Action within the two years mandated by the Limitations Act . Mr. Gable brings this preliminary application to strike Hammer Head Ltd.'s claim. To quote Mr. Gable: "Hammer Head [Ltd.] kicked at that football and missed; [Mr. Gable] is not Lucy and will not be re-setting the football."

What Says Judge You? Let me know in the comments, follow my blog, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter, and keep an eye out next week for the outcome.

DISCLAIMER: Achieve: Judgment is created entirely for entertainment purposes and is based only loosely on real cases and situations. It is not intended to substitute for proper legal advice, and the principles on which it is based may only be accurate at a given point in time. Consult counsel before relying on any principles in any of these posts.

Achieve: Judgment © 2020, Terrance Meyers Professional Corporation o/a Achieve Legal. All Rights Reserved. Do not re-post or copy without express permission. Please share all links to the original post.
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presents... Achieve: Judgment Take a Run at This! "All Rise. This Court is now in session. The Honourable Judge You is presiding. We look f...

07/01/2020

Canada Day 2020: A New Year
Thoughts on our national day of celebration.

"We live in the best [darned] spot of the best [darned] nation on the entire planet. What more could anybody want?" --My father, when I was growing up.

I'm unapologetic about my nationalism. I love this country, and it's not an accident that the first day of Achieve Legal coincides with July 1.

I didn't get into law school with the high-minded dreams of being a white knight of justice. I'd read too many Grisham novels to not go into the practice with a healthy dose of cynicism. I was always impressed by those who did, and who today are doing well and doing good , but I saw law as a profession and was really just happy to be there.

But, over my 8 years at the Bar, I've learned that the best [darned] nation calls us all towards justice. We've had legendary jurists pave a highway towards their sense of fairness. We have exceptional lawyers and phenomenal legal scholars who guide society down that road. That road enables even a simple guy like me, from a modest upbringing, to one day open his own law firm and serve his community.

Are we perfect? No. I respect our Indigenous people who struggle against systemic oppression, minorities who feel that their lives don't matter, those that feel trapped in economic hardship, the liberal and experimental whose attempts to define themselves challenge the norm. All of these people, and so many others, demand more of our great nation.

But, they can demand more because our country can provide more. This is a country of limitless potential: an embarassment of resources, a diverse and respectful population, humble pride, and a constitutional living tree that is the backbone of a thriving social system. We will be more just tomorrow, because we can be today. And I am humbled by, and embrace, my calling to help us do just that, as a lawyer, as a father, as a husband, as a Christian, and as a Canadian.

Today, Canada marks 153 years of growth, development, and nationhood. Today, Achieve Legal marks the start of its work, helping clients navigate the path of justice. Congratulations, Canada; Cheers! Onward.
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Thoughts on our national day of celebration. "We live in the best [darned] spot of the best [darned] nation on the entire planet. What more ...