ALOC Q&A's
Does ALOC represent all lawyers employed by the Ontario Government?
No, ALOC is the bargaining agent recognized by the Government of Ontario to represent lawyers employed in their professional capacities, with the exception of lawyers in the Criminal Law Division, who are represented by our sister organization, the Ontario Crown Attorney's Association (OCAA). Government lawyers who exercise management functions (for example, legal directors) or are employed in a confidential capacity in matters relating to labour relations are excluded from ALOC. Individuals who are lawyers employed by the government of Ontario, but not in their professional capacities, are not ALOC members.
What does ALOC do?
As bargaining agent, ALOC represents our members by negotiating terms and conditions of employment with the employer through collective bargaining, in filing and supporting grievances under the collective agreement, in assisting our members with other employment related issues and assisting in the professional development of our members through educational programs. ALOC also responds to member inquiries and works on a host of issues such as job competitions, pensions, the merit/pay for performance scheme and the interpretation of the collective agreement.
What work do ALOC members carry out?
ALOC members do important work for the people of Ontario. In addition to advising and representing the Ontario government in civil law matters and quasi-criminal matters, ALOC members ensure that the administration of public affairs in Ontario are conducted in accordance with the rule of law. This unique role was recognized in the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Civil Rights (the "McRuer Commission").
ALOC represents both lawyers and articling students. Most ALOC members are employed by the Ministry of the Attorney General and either work at the Ministry of the Attorney General or are seconded to a legal services office in another Ministry, the Family Justice Division or to a Court, tribunal, agency or commission. A small number of members are employed directly by an office other than the Ministry of the Attorney General, i.e., the Ontario Clean Water Agency and the Environmental Review Tribunal. Most of our members' offices are located in the Greater Toronto Area.
ALOC members represent the Ontario government, and by extension the people of Ontario, in civil proceedings at all levels of court in Ontario and before administrative tribunals. They provide legal advice on issues including legislative drafting and interpretation, client operations and government policy, and some conduct prosecutions of provincial regulatory offences throughout Ontario. Their work requires high levels of experience and expertise.
How does someone become a member of ALOC?
Membership in ALOC is limited to lawyers employed by the Government of Ontario in their professional capacity, who are members of the Law Society of Upper Canada and articling students employed by the Government of Ontario. Qualified lawyers become ALOC members when they start paying ALOC dues. It is not necessary to submit an application. Any lawyer employed by the Ontario Government in their professional capacity or articling student working for the Ontario Government who is not paying ALOC dues should contact the ALOC office to determine whether they qualify to receive the benefits and entitlements of an ALOC member under the Collective and Framework Agreements.
Lawyers who exercise managerial functions and lawyers and articling students who are employed in a confidential capacity in matters relating to labour relations are excluded from ALOC.
To learn more about us, click HERE or the About ALOC button.