Legal Navigator Project: Enhancing Access to Justice for Newcomers in Alberta

About the Project

The Legal Navigator Project, led by the Alberta Association of Immigrant Serving Agencies (AAISA) in partnership with the Alberta Law Foundation (ALF), is a province-wide initiative aimed at improving access to legal support for newcomers in Alberta.

Many newcomers encounter legal barriers in areas such as:

Immigration & Residency – Work permits, refugee claims, sponsorship breakdowns.
Housing & Employment – Tenant rights, workplace discrimination, contract issues.
Legal System Navigation – Court processes, legal aid, understanding rights.

While legal services exist, many newcomers struggle to access and navigate them due to language barriers, financial constraints, and a lack of legal literacy. The Legal Navigator Project bridges this gap by:

Placing trained Justice Navigators in key Albertan communities.
Equipping the settlement sector with professionalized positions holding legal knowledge and referral tools.
Strengthening legal pathways and service coordination across Alberta.

Project timeline

February 2025 – January 2026

Mandate & Goals

The Legal Navigator Project is committed to:

Developing a structured Justice Navigator model that enhances legal capacity within settlement agencies.
Building sector-wide capacity through the development of certified programs for legal navigators and legal service referral pathways.
Ensuring equitable access to legal support across Alberta, including rural and underserved communities.
Strengthening collaboration between the settlement sector and legal professionals to improve legal service delivery.
Creating a sustainable, long-term framework to embed legal navigation within the settlement system.

Scope of Impact

The project will have a province-wide impact by:

Conducting stakeholder consultations with AAISA’s member organizations, legal professionals, and policymakers.
Mapping legal services across Alberta to identify gaps and enhance referral pathways.
Developing and piloting a Justice Navigator role in key regions to provide localized legal guidance.
Developing training and professional development resources to settlement agencies or community partners to address legal issues affecting the newcomer sector.
Establishing a sustainable model that allows for continued capacity-building, evaluation, and policy advocacy.

Project impact

The project is currently in its implementation phase, with evaluation planned for 2025. Updates on outcomes and impact will be provided as the project progresses.

Partners & Funders

The Legal Navigator Project is made possible through the support of:

Funder: Alberta Law Foundation (ALF)
Implementation Partner: AAISA
Settlement Agencies & Community Organizations: AAISA’s member organizations and sector partners.
Legal Sector Collaborators: Legal Aid Alberta, community legal clinics, law firms, and pro bono legal services

This initiative represents a collaborative approach to improving access to justice for newcomers by bringing together settlement agencies, community partners, legal experts, and policymakers to create a structured, sustainable support system.