A guide prepared by Student Legal Services at the University of Alberta. It is a resource that provides information on social welfare programs available to Albertans.
This website section from the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Alberta provides information about the legislation governing the privacy of and access to health records. Topics include: Principles; The Request process; Concerns; Investigations and reviews; Inquiries; Read the Act; Questions and answers; and Publications.
This publication from Alberta Children and Youth Services (Prevention of Family Violence and Bullying Unit) explains the nature of abuse of persons with disabilites. It then describes what you can do if you realize that you are in an abusive relationship or you are concerned about a friend who may be in such a situation. (PDF – 15 pages)
Learn more about how to access cannabis for medical purposes.
A publication of the Alberta Civil Liberties Research Centre.
The Canadian Transportation Agency is responsible for ensuring that undue obstacles to the mobility of persons with disabilities are removed from federally-regulated transportation services and facilities.
These online videos are provided by the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association and cover a range of topics such as gangs, drugs and a number of different types of fraud.
DrugSafe is a trusted source for Albertans to find vital information on reducing the harm of drugs and alcohol. This information on cannabis, alcohol and opiods is provided by Alberta Health Services.
Alberta, like all Canadian jurisdictions, has provincial sanctions that apply to impaired driving in addition to criminal penalties imposed by the courts under the Criminal Code of Canada. Federal penalties for impaired driving can include driving prohibitions, fines, jail time and participation in an ignition interlock program.
The Alberta Mental Health Patient Advocate is an independent, provincial investigative body legislated under the Mental Health Act. The Patient Advocate protects the rights of persons and investigates and resolves complaints related to the detention, treatment, care and rights of individuals subject to admission or renewal certificate/s or a community treatment order under the Act, and those acting on their behalf. The office also serves as a resource to the mental health community through education services and to policy and law makers by bringing a unique perspective
The Alberta Seniors and Community Supports department provides information about financial, health-related, and protective services for seniors. This webpage lists the contact information for regional offices. Or call the Alberta Supports Contact Centre Toll-free in Alberta: 1-877-644-9992, Monday to Friday 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
The Alberta Supports Contact Centre is a new contact centre for general inquiries on income support, adult health benefits, child health benefits, child support services, and Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped. Advisors are available to provide general information on these programs and services, make referrals to community agencies and other government programs.
Alberta Works helps unemployed people find and keep jobs, employers meet their need for skilled workers, Albertans with low incomes cover their basic costs of living. They offer services in different ways through: Employment Services, Employment and Career Resources,Training Supports, Alberta Job & Career Fairs., Workforce Partnerships, Income Support, and Health Benefits.
Calgary Counselling Centre is a charitable organization committed to providing compassionate, professional, and affordable counselling services to Calgarians. They offer counselling and group programs for individuals, couples, parents, families, and youth to help them resolve emotional and social problems. In addition to its may group and individual program services the Centre also offers a Male Domestic Abuse Outreach Program which provides counselling, advocacy, social service referrals (housing, financial aid, legal guidance, support) to men and their families experiencing domestic abuse of all forms.
The Calgary Drug Treatment Court has been in operation since 2007, providing the only community alternative to incarceration for non-violent drug-addicted offenders whose crimes are driven by drug addiction. CDTC is an evidence-based program that integrates court intervention and treatment services to end drug-driven crime and assist participants to return to family, work and community.
Ask an Expert: Cannabis Legalisation with Abby Deshman The video topics in the YouTube series are:
Although legalization is a federal decision, provinces and municipalities are responsible for setting rules with respect to cannabis consumption. This page summarizes the rules set by both the Province of Alberta and by the city of Calgary for cannabis smoking within the City of Calgary. The Calgary Bylaw regulates where smoking is permitted in public places: this includes tobacco, vaping and cannabis. Whether you are smoking cannabis for recreational or for medical purposes, everyone is expected to respect the same rules for where you can smoke.
Learn about:
Information for condominium owners, landlords and tenants about cannabis restrictions in condos, apartments and rental homes.
Information about cannabis, process of legalization, cannabis in provinces and territories, and driving laws.
Cannabis will be legal across Canada on Oct. 17, 2018. Find out what it means for Albertans. Learn the rules and regulations that come into effect when recreational cannabis becomes legal.
Although legalization is a federal decision, provinces and municipalities are responsible for setting rules with respect to cannabis consumption. This page summarizes the rules set by both the Province of Alberta and by Edmonton City Council for cannabis smoking and vaping within the City of Edmonton. The City of Edmonton’s Public Places Bylaw regulates where smoking is permitted in public places: this includes tobacco, vaping and cannabis. Whether you are smoking cannabis for recreational or for medical purposes, everyone is expected to respect the same rules for where you can smoke.
This brochure is designed as a resource to provide you with the information you need about cannabis along with some effective tools to help you set the stage for a conversation about cannabis and engage in productive discussions with your teen about cannabis and other substance use. The brochure was produced by Drug Free Kids Canada, in collaboration with Health Canada and the Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction,
Cannabis use at Alberta Parks sites aligns with the Alberta Cannabis Framework. The page provides information on the rules that apply in Alberta parks regarding the use of cannabis.
Catholic Social Services is a multi-function social service agency that serves people of all faiths and cultures throughout central Alberta. Founded in 1961, the agency has grown to deliver more than 100 programs.CSS is divided into Service and Program areas offered in five distinct Regions throughout central and northeast Alberta
Citizen Watch has been created as a public service for the people of Alberta. It is the work of an ever-widening network of individuals from across the province, including families and friends of long term care and assisted or supportive living residents and those requiring long term care supports in their own homes. The service will watch and to report to the public the results of any analysis of information they receive from recipients of continuing care services and their families indicating whether they are better or worse off for actions taken by the Alberta government on the province’s continuing care system.
If an adult’s ability to make personal decisions is impaired but they can make decisions with good support, co-decision-making may be an option. The adult who needs support doesn’t lose authority to make their own decisions. They share that authority with their co-decision-maker. Learn more about co-decision making.
CCD is a national human rights organization of people with disabilities working for an inclusive and accessible Canada. CCD’s priorities include: disability-related supports; poverty alleviation; increased employment for persons with disabilities; promotion of human rights; ratification and implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; technology developed according to the principles of universal design; and, air, rail, bus and marine transport that is accessible to persons with all types of disabilities. CCD seeks to achieve these priorities through law reform, litigation, public education and dialogue with key decision-makers.
Options available to support adults who need assistance making personal and/or financial decisions include: supported decision-making, co-decision-making, specific decision-making, guardianship and trusteeship.
In a previous blog post, the authors summarized the new federal, provincial, and municipal laws pertaining to cannabis. One of the key policy issues for all three levels of government is the impact that legalization will have on young people. This blog post discusses these issues.
The Government of Alberta’s FSCD program uses a family-centred approach to provide parents with funding to access a range of supports and services that strengthen their ability to promote their child’s healthy growth and development. In addition, FSCD assists with some of the extraordinary costs of raising a child with a disability.
The Government of Alberta has many programs to help lower income Albertans. This guide can help find out what’s available. Programs are listed in seven groups:Work and Work Skills, Financial, Housing, Legal Assistance, Health Expenses, Families with Children, and People with Disabilities. For each program, you will find an outline of what it does and where to go for information.This guide is up-to-date as of March 2005.
The Health Law Institute at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Law began as a resource center, evolving into an international center for health law, and home to several leading health scholars. The goals of the HLI are to conduct health law and science policy research, disseminate scholarly outputs and policy work to a broad interdisciplinary community, and facilitate collaborative opportunities with national and internationally based researchers and organizations.
This standard outlines infection prevention techniques that are critical in reducing the risk of disease transmission during the tattooing procedure.
The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available to all Indigenous people across Canada. Experienced and culturally competent counsellors are reachable by telephone and online ‘chat’ 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone support is available in English, French, Cree, Ojibway, and Inuktitut. Online Chat services are only available in English and French.
This blog post clarifies the current law in terms of the human rights of residential tenants in Alberta, identifies concerns about a lack of effective protection of tenants’ human rights at the Residential Tenancy Dispute Resolution Service, and suggests that lawyers and advocates working in this area should ask questions to determine if discrimination is occurring and, if so, make their clients aware of their rights and how they can protect them.
This information on impaired driving laws in Canada is prepared by Canada Dept. of Justice. It covers:
It is important to note that provinces and territories have additional laws or regulations that may apply.
The Alberta Association for Community Living (AACL) is a family based, non-profit organization representing thousands of children and adults with developmental disabilities and their families. AACL Advocates address issues ranging from inclusive education to community living and family support to employment. Their Pocket Guide to Advocacy can be downloaded in PDF.
Independent Living Canada is the national umbrella organization, representing and coordinating the network of Independent Living (IL) Centres at the national level. Independent Living Canada is a national, bilingual, non-profit organization, and is governed by a Board of Directors which is comprised of a majority of people with disabilities. Its responsibilities mainly consist of providing support, training, networking with government and non-government organizations, and information dissemination.
The Learning Disabilities Association of Canada (LDAC) is a national, non-profit voluntary organization dedicated to a level playing field for individuals with learning disabilities. LDAC works through public awareness about the nature and impact of learning disabilities, advocacy, research, health, education and collaborative efforts.
This guide is for people with medical expenses or impairments in physical or mental functions and anyone supporting these people. It gives information on eligible medical expenses, services the CRA provides for people with impairments in physical or mental functions, as well as other information on income tax, excise tax, customs, and the goods and services tax/harmonized sales tax (GST/HST).
This information on medical assistance in dying in Alberta has been prepared by Alberta Health Services to ensure patients can access compassionate high quality care, while ensuring staff and physicians can provide services within the law. Information is available on the site for patients and families as well as health professionals.
This website section from Health Canada provides information on the Marihuana for Medical Purposes Regulations. Topics include: How to Access Marijuana for medical purposes; Licensed Producers; Information for Healthcare Practitioners; Information for Law Enforcement; Information for Municipalities; and Frequently Asked Questions.
This information sheet is provides Albertans with information on the legal rights of people with mental or physical disabilities.
The Latin American Community Council and MOSAIC, in partnership, have implemented this online multilingual legal resource to provide comprehensive and critical legal information in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Korean, Persian, Punjabi, Spanish and Vietnamese to Canadian newcomers and community workers in British Columbia.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada) is a charitable, grassroots organization that is committed to stopping impaired driving and supporting the victims/survivors of this violent crime. Website includes a resource library of publications relevant to victims.
A new online tool gives adults access to their personal health records, including immunizations, medications and lab test results.
A new online tool gives adults access to their personal health records, including immunizations, medications and lab test results.
On this site you will find information about Alberta’s Health Advocate and Mental Health Patient Advocate. The Advocates provide education about the Alberta Health Charter and patients’ rights set out in the Mental Health Act, and connect people with health and mental health services, programs and resources. The Advocates listen to any concerns or complaints about health care experiences which may result in an investigation or a referral to the appropriate complaint resolution process.
The OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI) is a free, fast, independent, and impartial alternative dispute resolution public service for Canadian life and health insurance consumers.
OLHI provides accurate and accessible information about life and health insurance concerns.
This includes guiding consumers through the complaints process, answering their questions, and helping them find lost policies or policies of deceased loved ones.
The Virtual Parent Link Centre is a website developed by the Alberta Government that provides information and support for parents and caregivers on how to assist with the learning, development and health of children. From the homepage, users will find a list of help line phone numbers, as well as links to government resources on bullying and family violence, and more.
Information for individuals and pension plan administrators from the Alberta Superintendent of Pensions and the Pension Policy Branch.
People with Disabilties is a web resource from the Government of Canada that offers access to a broad range of disability related information. This site provides access to services and information for persons with disabilities, family members, caregivers and all Canadians.
Legislation Commented On: Cannabis Act, SC 2018, c 16; Cannabis Regulations, SOR/2018-144; Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act, RSA 2000, c G-1; Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Regulation, Alta Reg 143/996
The Support Network is located in Edmonton, Alberta, and provides community information services, crisis intervention, and suicide prevention. Its help lines are free, anonymous, confidential, and available every hour, every day. Help is also available in person and online. 24-Hour Distress Line: 780-482-HELP(4357)
Traffic Court is part of the Alberta Court of Justice. It deals with offences pursuant to many provincial statutes and regulations, municipal bylaws and a few specified federal statutes. In spite of its name, Traffic Court is not limited to only hearing traffic related offences. Traffic Court does not deal with most offences created by federal statutes such as the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Young persons aged 12-17 years of age who are charged with a Provincial offence are dealt with in the Youth Division of the Alberta Court of Justice. In some court locations there is a distinct Youth Traffic Court.
Trials in Traffic Court, whether involving an adult or a young person, are usually heard by a Justice of the Peace. However in some locations trials are heard by a Justice of the Alberta Court of Justice.
Decision-making options for individuals who need assistance are on a continuum, ranging from supported decision-making authorizations to full guardianship. The Adult Guardianship and Trusteeship Act (AGTA) sets out the necessary legal process for granting powers of substitute decision-making to a co-decision maker. A co-decision-maker is appointed by the Court to help an adult make decisions in some or all areas of personal decision-making, except financial matters. This publication describes how to apply for a co-decision-making order and what’s involved.
The University of Toronto Joint Centre for Bioethics (JCB) is a partnership between the University of Toronto and affiliated healthcare organizations. The JCB, a network of over 180 multidisciplinary professionals, studies important ethical, health-related topics through research and clinical activities. Our mission is to provide leadership in bioethics research, education, practice and public engagement.
VAD is a cross disability, non-profit organization of and for people with disabilities. We are guided by the principles of Accessibility, Equity and Inclusion. We actively promote full participation in society and provide a voice for Albertans with disabilities.
These “How old do I have to be?” FAQs are provided by the Canadian Legal FAQs, a website of the Centre for Public Legal Education Alberta. They provide answers for youth about age-related issues under various topics: family, criminal, medical and health related, legal and financial, activities (such as driving), school and work.
