To: Hon. Jason Nixon, ECA MLA
President and Chair - Minister of Treasury Board and Finance
Dear Minister Nixon:
RE: Budget 2027 - Edmonton Law Courts
On behalf of the members of the Canadian Bar Association – Alberta Branch (CBA Alberta), I am pleased to provide you and your Treasury Board colleagues with a submission as you undertake the difficult task of preparing the 2027 budget. While CBA Alberta encourages robust funding for all aspects of our province’s justice system, our submission this year once again focuses on the singular need for investment in the Edmonton Law Courts capital project.
CBA Alberta was founded in 1915 and has nearly 5,800 members, including law and articling students, lawyers, and members of the judiciary. We are the essential ally and advocate for all members of the legal community. Our mission includes the advancement of the Rule of Law, the promotion of fairness in the justice system,
improvements in the administration of justice, and the facilitation of effective law reform.
Last year, we wrote to your predecessor to explain the urgency of including infrastructure investment in the Edmonton Law Courts in the government’s capital plans; a copy of that letter is attached for your information.
We understand that you have a mandate to be prudent with the province's finances, but this project is a critical priority for the justice system. The serious deficiencies in the courthouse have been publicly and extensively documented. The current infrastructure has not kept up with growing capacity demands, nor has it kept pace with modern technological advancements. The continued use of deficient infrastructure carries maintenance obligations and risks of emergency expenditure and service interruption, while postponement may increase future project costs. A timely funding commitment would support orderly capital planning and help manage these financial and operational risks.
All of these are significant issues to address from an infrastructure perspective, but Courthouses are a visible expression of Alberta's commitment to the rule of law and the administration of justice. That commitment also requires facilities that support reliable court operations and meet the needs of Albertans. Investment in the Edmonton Law Courts would address deficiencies in courtroom capacity, building systems, and technology, supporting the effective delivery of justice and reinforcing confidence of Albertans in their justice system.
As we have pointed out in previous submissions, a well funded justice system, including justice infrastructure, aligns with a number of priorities for this Government, including justice system modernization and court access. Further, investment in court infrastructure is supported by Albertans, as indicated by public opinion research undertaken by CBA Alberta.
We urge you to include the Edmonton Law Courts in the capital projects commitments in Budget 2027. If CBA Alberta can provide further information or assistance to make this happen, we would be pleased to do so.
Yours truly,
Canadian Bar Association - Alberta Branch
Sarah Coderre
President