2019 Annual Report
Read our 2019 Annual Report. to learn about West Coast LEAF’s work for gender justice in the 2018/2019 fiscal year. Publications
Search results
324 results for:
Submission on Provincial Court Family Rules
In December 2019, West Coast LEAF and Rise Women’s Legal Centre collaborated to respond to the BC government’s request for input about proposed new Provincial Court Family Rules. We urged the government to adopt a framework that would take into account the realities of gender-based violence and reduce barriers in access to justice. We also made the … Read more Submission on Provincial Court Family Rules
Release: Child support system must promote gender equality, advocacy group argues at Supreme Court of Canada
OTTAWA – West Coast LEAF is at the Supreme Court of Canada this morning, intervening in a case about the ability of judges in BC to ensure that children and their caregiving parent get the financial support to which they are entitled, by making changes to existing child support orders. In this important family law … Read more Release: Child support system must promote gender equality, advocacy group argues at Supreme Court of Canada
Release: Anti-SLAPP legislation must ensure the dignity, safety and equality rights of survivors of gender-based violence, says BC Coalition to Supreme Court of Canada
Today, a coalition of BC anti-violence organizations intervened in Maia Bent, et al. v. Howard Platnick, et al. at the Supreme Court of Canada. The coalition, including Atira Women’s Resource Society, Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS), Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre (formerly WAVAW Rape Crisis Centre) and West Coast LEAF, is calling on the Supreme Court of Canada to interpret anti-SLAPP legislation … Read more Release: Anti-SLAPP legislation must ensure the dignity, safety and equality rights of survivors of gender-based violence, says BC Coalition to Supreme Court of Canada
Briefing Note on Divorce Act Amendments
In September 2018, West Coast LEAF submitted a briefing note on Bill C-78 to ensure that proposed changes to the Divorce Act fulfill the stated goals of “promoting the best interests of the child, addressing family violence, reducing child poverty, and making Canada’s justice system more accessible and efficient” and avoid unintended and harmful consequences. … Read more Briefing Note on Divorce Act Amendments
Maia Bent, et al. v Howard Platnick, et al.; 1704604 Ontario Limited v Pointes Protection Association, et al. [2019]
Case summary These two cases about strategic lawsuits against public participation (“SLAPP suits”) were heard together by the Supreme Court of Canada. SLAPP suits commonly take the form of defamation claims and may often be used to silence dissenting views or to intimidate. Defamation claims are increasingly being used as a legal weapon against survivors … Read more Maia Bent, et al. v Howard Platnick, et al.; 1704604 Ontario Limited v Pointes Protection Association, et al. [2019]
Pathways in a Forest: Indigenous guidance on prevention-based child welfare
The report highlights efforts by Indigenous families, communities, and Nations to revitalize…
Release: New report: Indigenous families share their vision for transforming the failings of BC’s child protection system
VANCOUVER – Today, West Coast LEAF released a report setting out the experiences of Indigenous families who have had engagement with the provincial child welfare system. Pathways in a Forest: Indigenous guidance on prevention-based child welfare highlights efforts by Indigenous families, communities, and Nations to revitalize Indigenous approaches to child welfare, develop comprehensive community-based supports, and fight … Read more Release: New report: Indigenous families share their vision for transforming the failings of BC’s child protection system
A.B. v C.D. [2019]
This appeal concerned a family law dispute between A.B., a 14-year-old transgender boy, and his father, C.D. A.B. sought gender-affirming medical treatment. His doctors recommend this…
Five ways to bring feminism into the high school classroom
What does a feminist education look like to you? We’d like to think it includes teaching students about justice, encouraging critical thinking about power and inequality, and giving young people tools that they can use to help themselves and others to live happily and freely. With the addition of a social justice elective for grade 12 students and the work being … Read more Five ways to bring feminism into the high school classroom