Repeal the changes to the Name Act
Sign the petition to repeal the harmful changes to the Name Act!
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192 results for: Access to justice
Release: Court upholds human rights protections for families facing discrimination
In a significant ruling, the BC Court of Appeal affirmed that the BC Human Rights Tribunal has jurisdiction…
In the news – 2025
At West Coast LEAF, we’re proud to make the news regularly, to share our expertise widely, and ultimately to shift public opinion, laws, and policies. Here’s some of what we’ve been up to in 2025. June May February
Release: Gender justice groups urge BC government to repeal harmful name change ban
Vancouver, unceded Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) homelands – Gender justice groups from across the province are calling on the BC Government to repeal Bill 26 the Name Amendment Act (No 2) 2024. The bill changed the Name Act, restricting access to legal name changes for many British Columbians. The new Name Act … Read more Release: Gender justice groups urge BC government to repeal harmful name change ban
West Coast LEAF statement of solidarity with Palestine
West Coast LEAF stands in solidarity with the Palestinian people in the face of the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
Congrats to Monique Pongracic-Speier
Huge congratulations are in order for Monique Pongracic-Speier, KC, for receiving the 2024 Harry Rankin, QC Pro Bono Award from the Canadian Bar Association of BC. Monique is a brilliant litigator, a dedicated advocate, and —we’re grateful to say—a long-time friend of and collaborator with West Coast LEAF. We know from working alongside Monique that … Read more Congrats to Monique Pongracic-Speier
Joint submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Bill S-210
In a joint submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security, West Coast LEAF and the Centre for Gender and Sexual Health Equity (CGSHE) are urging the committee to reject Bill S-210: An Act to restrict young persons’ online access to sexually explicit material. Bill S-210 neglects to meaningfully consult with online … Read more Joint submission to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security on Bill S-210
Joint submission on the Family Law Act Modernization Project
The FLA builds off the 1979 Family Relations Act and is BC’s primary legislation on issues related to family relationships…
Joint submission to the BC Law Institute on Parentage
In a joint submission, West Coast LEAF and Rise Women’s Legal Centre responded to the BC Law Institute’s (BCLI) Consultation Paper on Parentage. The Consultation Paper suggests reforms that will update and modernize BC’s parentage laws under Part 3 of the Family Law Act (FLA). Parentage is the legal relationship between a parent and child. … Read more Joint submission to the BC Law Institute on Parentage
Budget 2024: Historic legal aid expansion, but lots left to do
Today, we were at BC’s 2024 Budget presentation in Victoria on the unceded Coast Salish homelands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples to hear whether the government will implement our key recommendations. Lawsuit settlement provides some much-need support, but not enough Last week, we announced a historic win as the government settled our lawsuit brought … Read more Budget 2024: Historic legal aid expansion, but lots left to do