West Coast LEAF wrote to the executives of all Vancouver municipal political parties to urge them to prioritize substantive gender equality in their 2018 campaign platforms. We expressed our support of the non-partisan project Hot Pink Paper Campaign 2018 and outlined practical commitments for moving towards gender equality in Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish homeland. Read our letter. Submissions
Case summary The National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (“the Inquiry”) has had a mandate to investigate the systemic factors contributing to all forms of violence against Indigenous women and girls in Canada, including more than 1,000 violent deaths and disappearances. This mandate includes reporting on current institutional policies and practices to address violence, … Read more National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls [2018]
VANCOUVER – This morning, the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (“Inquiry”) begins the first of four days of expert hearings. West Coast LEAF is in Quebec City for the hearings, which are focused on understanding a human rights framework for the Inquiry’s work. The Inquiry has a mandate to identify and examine … Read more Release: Changes to National Inquiry needed to meaningfully meet its mandate
As a legal organization with standing in the institutional and expert hearings in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, West Coast LEAF wrote to the Inquiry’s Chief Commissioner Marion Buller to express concern about the rushed, incomplete, and procedurally flawed process for the hearings. We noted that many Indigenous organizations, vital … Read more Letter regarding the process for the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls
VANCOUVER – Yesterday, the BC Court of Appeal (BCCA) released its judgment in a case about discrimination against Vancouver’s street homeless population. The Court upheld the 2012 dismissal of a human rights complaint brought on behalf of the population of homeless in downtown Vancouver. In many ways, this case is about equal access to human rights protections … Read more Release: BC Court Decision Leaves Street Homeless Vulnerable
In April 2018, West Coast LEAF submitted recommendations to BC’s Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General to inform the development of provincial standards and policies on unbiased policing. West Coast LEAF recognizes the profound risks and harms that bias in police conduct creates for people who experience systemic injustices, including Indigenous people, undocumented migrants, … Read more Submission on Promoting Unbiased Policing in BC
Today, we sent a briefing note to legislators that calls on BC’s Ministry of Children and Family Development to eliminate policies and practices that require parents to have an open child protection file – despite the lack of risk concerns – in order to receive critical support services, including child care. Read our briefing note here. Submissions
VANCOUVER – This morning, the BC Supreme Court released its judgment in an historic court case challenging the use of solitary confinement in Canada’s federal prisons. Justice Peter Leask found the prolonged and indefinite segregation of federal prisoners violates their rights to life, liberty, and security of the person (s. 7 of the Charter) and discriminates against mentally ill … Read more Release: BC court rules solitary confinement violates the Charter
Read our 2017 Annual Report. to learn about West Coast LEAF’s work for gender justice in the 2016/2017 fiscal year. Publications
VANCOUVER – Today, the Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment in Schrenk v BC Human Rights Tribunal, a case about the scope of human rights protections against discriminatory harassment in the workplace. The Court ruled in the complainant’s favour, finding that human rights law prohibits discrimination in the workplace regardless of whether it is perpetuated by an … Read more Release: Supreme Court of Canada decision is a win for human rights