On December 15, 2022, The Property Rights Statutes Amendment Act, 2022 received royal ascent and implemented recommendations ALRI made in its 2020 report, Adverse Possession and Lasting Improvements to Wrong Land, Final Report 115. ALRI recommended that the law of adverse possession be abolished in Alberta. This change would prevent new claims from being brought in the future, but would not affect claims that have been resolved or filed with the court before the change comes into [...]

The Alberta Law Reform Institute [ALRI] is seeking 2 students for employment between May and August 2023.  Students should be completing their second year of law and have strong writing skills to support the presentation of their research in new issues in the law. The Research Assistants will work directly with ALRI lawyers to follow project plans and research new legal policy.  This work provides students with direct feedback from our lawyers and valuable experience [...]

The Alberta Law Reform Institute [ALRI] is seeking two or three, third year law students for part-time employment to run from February 1, 2023 or possibly sooner and continuing until March 31, 2023. The Research Assistants will work directly with ALRI lawyers to help develop the framework for a potential new project plan that we are developing.  The work will involve the review of secondary literature and government reports to categorize areas of legal need [...]

ALRI is excited to welcome Sarah Ormandy (she/her) to its team! Sarah Ormandy is a law student going into her final year of studies at the University of Alberta. She has a Musical Theatre Diploma (without distinction) from MacEwan University, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting (with distinction) from the University of Alberta. Sarah is an improviser and performance artist who has worked across Canada. She enjoys the intersection of performance and the [...]

Have you say in our brief 10-15 minute survey and help us refine our proposals and improve Alberta's Dower Act. The Dower Act protects a spouse if the couple’s home is owned by the other spouse. It also applies to a “homestead” which is a parcel of land where the owner lives or has lived. While the law still functions as intended, it has not been updated for over 70 years and is becoming outdated. [...]

The Alberta Law Reform Institute [ALRI] seeks a summer student who has successfully completed their second year of law. The position will be in Edmonton supporting our legal team in Edmonton and Calgary. Summer research employment experience at ALRI, is highly regarded by law firms and will provide the students with valued experience to offer future employers. The Research Assistant will work directly with ALRI lawyers to follow project plans and research new legal policy. [...]

The Alberta Personal Property Security Act [PPSA] came into force in 1990 and produced a significant improvement in secured transactions in Alberta by removing many of the restrictions and limitations that prevented the use of secured credit. Since 1990, it has become clear that several areas of the law are in need of reform. Modern online banking, ecommerce and ambiguities in the law contribute to the need for reform. The PPSA also did not anticipate [...]

ALRI is honoured to announce that Carly Fox, Matthew Woodley, and Cal Johnson Q.C. have joined its Board of Directors. Carly Fox is a member of the Kainai Nation in southern Alberta. She is a partner at Fox Fraser LLP located in Redwood Meadows, AB. Carly represents First Nations governments and organizations in relation to specific claims, governance, negotiations, and litigation. Carly has a law degree from the University of Victoria. She was called to [...]

The Alberta Law Reform Institute says goodbye to veteran Board member, and vice-chair, Mona T. Duckett Q.C. after serving three terms. Ms. Duckett joined the ALRI Board in 2012 and has made invaluable contributions to over 20 law reform projects as well as ALRI’s operations and vision. The Institute wishes her all the best and thanks her for her many years of dedication to its mission of improving the laws of Alberta.