Alberta Law Reform Institute

More than ever, people are storing their important personal information and other digital property online within the servers of large online service providers. These “digital assets” can be anything from precious family photos and records to sensitive financial and legal information. What Canadians don’t realize is that outdated laws govern who can access those assets after the owner dies or loses capacity.

The Alberta Law Reform Institute's latest report recommends enacting new legislation to confirm that the existing powers of fiduciaries in Alberta extend to digital assets.

Featured Project

Access to
Digital Assets
by Fiduciaries Visit the Access to Digital Assets Project Page

For over 50 years, the Alberta Law Reform Institute has provided independent comprehensive recommendations to the Government of Alberta and other agencies to ensure that the law and administration of justice are kept up to date and serve Albertans to the best extent possible.

Our Vision is for Just and Effective Laws
Our Mission is to Improve the Laws of Alberta

Who We Are

We acknowledge that we reside and work on the traditional lands and territories of the Indigenous peoples who have lived on and cared for these lands since time immemorial. What became known as the Province of Alberta in 1905 is the traditional and ancestral home to many Indigenous Peoples and we are honoured to have shared this land with them since Treaties 6, 7, and 8 were entered into. Alberta is also the historical Northwest Métis Homeland – which includes five Territories.

Where We Are

Purpose & Mission

Our Vision is for Just and Effective Laws
Our Mission is to Improve the Laws of Alberta

Project Selection

Suggestions for potential law reform projects come from many sources, including the government, public and legal profession. Project selection involves several stages of review to identify the scope of a potential project while ensuring that the Institute is the appropriate body to address the issue.

Project Process

Official law reform projects go through several stages including rigorous research, analysis and consultation. The Institute’s counsel and Board work in collaboration to develop policy options that will eventually be published and submitted to the Alberta government for consideration in new legislation.

Learn More About Us

Purpose & Mission

Project Selection

Project Process

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