In July 2005, we began the Women’s Equality and Religious Freedom report, which included three phases: a preliminary consultation, advisory committee discussions, and a consultation phase with Vancouver-based faith communities. Each phase included a report: Women’s Equality and Religious Freedom report Phase 1, Women’s Equality and Religious Freedom report Phase 2, and Women’s Equality and … Read more Women’s Equality and Religious Freedom Report
In September 2004, we released a report entitled Legal Aid Denied: Women and the Cuts to Legal Services in BC. Publications
Case summary ICBC represented the defendants (Funk and Virk) and were seeking direct production of the plaintiff’s records from a third party. In Smith, ICBC wanted copies of all the records of Smith’s history of receiving financial assistance from the Ministry of Human Resources. In Amos, ICBC sought medical records from third parties. In both cases the … Read more Smith v Funk; Amos v Virk [2003]
In 2003, we released a report entitled Civil Legal Rights of Abused Women: A Transformative Public Legal Education Project. Publications
Case summary In this case, the Court ordered that the sexual harassment complaints against former BC Cabinet Minister Robin Blencoe must proceed. The British Columbia Court of Appeal previously stayed the complaints, agreeing that the Tribunal had lost jurisdiction to hear the complaints. West Coast LEAF’s involvement LEAF intervened in the case because of its importance … Read more Blencoe v Willis & the BCHRC et al [2001]
Case summary In 1991, Bishop O’Connor was charged with rape and indecent assault of four Indigenous women at a residential school in Williams Lake, BC. During the pre-trial process, the judge ordered the disclosure of all records of therapists, counselors, psychologists and psychiatrists who had treated the complainants in relation to sexual assault or sexual … Read more R v O’Connor [1995]
Case summary Laura Norberg, of Williams Lake, had been unsuccessful at trial and on appeal in her bid for compensation against a doctor who, knowing she was dependent on prescription drugs, gave her prescriptions in exchange for sexual services. She sued for damages for assault, breach of duty, and negligence. West Coast LEAF’s involvement LEAF … Read more Norberg v Wynrib [1992]