Join Our Board Of Directors!
The Alberta Law Reform Institute [ALRI] is seeking applications for three positions on our Board of Directors. For over 50 years, ALRI has provided independent comprehensive recommendations to the Government of Alberta to improve the laws of Alberta. As a member of the ALRI Board, individuals will have the opportunity to provide input into recommendations that will have a positive impact on the lives of people living in Alberta. Past ALRI recommendations have resulted in [...]
ALRI Honours Donald R. Cranston K.C.
The Alberta Law Reform Institute (ALRI) honors the life and contributions of Donald R. Cranston K.C. For eight years, Donald brought his wisdom, experience, and steadfast dedication to the Institute’s mission of advancing just and effective laws. Whether serving as a board member or as chairman, his commitment to fairness in Alberta's justice system was reflected in ALRI’s work since 2016. Donald was a thoughtful advocate who consistently sought to bring humanity into the realm [...]
Improving Access to Digital Assets After Death or Incapacity – Frequently Asked Questions
See some of the most frequently asked questions about our law reform project on access to digital assets by fiduciaries. Learn more about what digital assets are, the problems that arise from signing user agreements and the obstacles people can face with trying to access when trying to access a loved one's digital assets after their death or incapacity.
ALRI Thanks Donald Cranston K.C. For His Service
ALRI extends its heartfelt thanks to Don Cranston, K.C. for his service as Board Chair. Don joined the ALRI Board as the nominee of the Law Society of Alberta in 2016. After his term as LSA President, Don continued on the ALRI Board as a member at large and was unanimously elected as chair in 2018. ALRI Executive Director, Sandra Petersson, K.C., states "It has been an honour to work with Don. He is an [...]
ALRI Board Member, Deirdre McKenna K.C. To Serve and Chair
The Alberta Law Reform Institute is excited to announce that current Board member Deirdre McKenna K.C. will serve as Chair of ALRI's board of directors. Since Ms. McKenna joined ALRI's board in 2018, the Institute has benefitted from her expertise and contributions with several of its law reform projects being implemented into legislation. Her commitment to improving the laws of Alberta made her the natural choice for Chair of ALRI's board. ALRI wishes outgoing Chair [...]
Meet ALRI Student Researcher Rachel Poznikoff
Take a few minutes to meet ALRI student researcher Rachel Poznikoff. Rachel is a law student going into her third year at the University of Alberta. She has a Bachelor of the Arts degree in Psychology from Simon Fraser University. While at Simon Fraser University, she assisted on research relating to children’s memory in forensic settings. In law school she has volunteered with the Student Legal Services Wills Project, Do-Your-Own-Divorce Clinic, and Trans-ID Clinic. In [...]
Meet ALRI Student Researcher Sawyer Nessel!
Take a few minutes to meet ALRI student researcher Sawyer Nessel! Sawyer Nessel is a law student at the University of Alberta who will be starting her third year of law school in the fall. Sawyer has a Bachelor of Commerce from MacEwan University. Prior to joining ALRI, Sawyer worked in a variety of industries, including law, parks maintenance, customer service, road construction, and more. In her free time, Sawyer enjoys visiting family and friends, [...]
ALRI Publishes Final Report On Access to Digital Assets
The Alberta Law Reform Institute is recommending legislation that would make it easier for fiduciaries to access a deceased person's digital assets after their death. Digital assets are digital records of information stored with service providers like Google and Facebook. Challenges arise post-death due to restrictive service agreements creating difficulties accessing digital assets even with legal authority. ALRI suggests adopting legislation to affirm fiduciaries' authority over digital assets and compel online service providers to provide [...]
Access to Digital Assets, Final Report 121
More than ever, people are storing their important personal information and other digital property online within the servers of large American companies such as Google, Facebook, and Apple. 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. Even with all the necessary documents proving a [...]