ALERT was created on the initiative of the then Table Officers of Canadian Bar Association-Ontario (now Ontario Bar Association) in 1987 in the belief that lawyers would contribute time and money to worthwhile initiatives which otherwise might not be undertaken by CBAO itself, particularly where a charitable receipt could be issued for income tax purposes.

The vehicle chosen was a Deed of Trust dated December 31st, 1987, which in Clause 3.2 sets out ALERT’s objects as to raise funds for:

“...the advancement of education and the encouragement of research related to the efficacy, understanding and application of the law and legal processes..”

ALERT is registered with Canada Revenue Agency and may issue charitable receipts under its registration number 0779728-21. Its auditor is Horwath Orenstein LLP and its banker is The Bank of Nova Scotia.

Since its creation in 1985, ALERT has supported several significant initiatives, including the CBA Bertha Wilson Task Force on Gender Equality in the Legal Profession, the Sopinka Cup Moot Competition, a joint project with the Addiction Research Foundation explaining the legal and practical implications of drug use to pupils in schools in the Brampton area, another project jointly with several School Boards in the Regions of Halton and Peel assisting with conflict resolution in schools, production of portions of a conference of the Association in Defence of the Wrongly Convicted in Canada and preparation of a DVD titled "Law in the Malls" for distribution to schools as part of Law Day activities in 2005.

ALERT has undertaken various fundraising activities over the years. More recently ALERT has organized Tribute Dinners in May 2005 to mark the retirement from the Supreme Court of Canada of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci and then in April 2006 for the Honourable James M. Farley on the occasion of his retirement from the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. Net proceeds in excess of $40,000 remained with ALERT from these two dinners.

ALERT is guided by 7 Trustees from around the Province, four of whom are Past-Presidents of OBA. Current Trustees of ALERT are James O’Brien (Chair), William Covello, Nola Crewe, Greg Goulin, Doug Grenkie, Anthony Keith and Heather McGee. Marni Whitaker acts as its Honorary Counsel. ALERT’s Staff Liaison is OBA’s Executive Director.

Donations to further ALERT’s work, including those made in memoriam, may be sent to ALERT at 3rd Floor, 20 Toronto Street, Toronto, Ontario M5C 2B8.