In August 2021, the BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner (BCOHRC) launched a human rights inquiry into surging hate during the COVID-19 pandemic. In April 2022, West Coast LEAF made written submissions to the inquiry regarding the concerning rise in the incidents and severity of gender-based violence, particularly intimate partner violence, during the pandemic. … Read more Submission to BC’s inquiry into hate during the COVID-19 pandemic
Case summary This case is about the proper interpretation and application of BC’s Protection of Public Participation Act (PPPA). The PPPA was enacted to stop corporations and people with power from using the legal system to silence those who speak out on public interest matters. Section 4 of the PPPA allows a court to dismiss an otherwise meritorious lawsuit when the … Read more Hansman v Neufeld [2022]
For immediate release – Thursday, June 23, 2022 Ottawa (unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory) –Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released a decision in Council of Canadians with Disabilities v British Columbia that upholds access to justice and the ability of public interest organizations to bring legal cases on behalf of marginalized communities. “Canada’s highest court has … Read more Release: Supreme Court upholds access to justice in Charter challenges
Thursday, June 9, 2022 Vancouver, BC – Unceded Coast Salish territories–Yesterday, a coalition of concerned organizations, groups, and citizens welcomed a historic Vancouver City Council vote calling on the Province of British Columbia to end its immigration detention agreement with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). By passing this motion, Vancouver becomes the first municipality … Read more Release: Historic Vancouver City Council vote calls on BC to end immigration detention
In an important victory for survivors of family violence, the Supreme Court of Canada released a decision in Barendregt v Grebliunas that will have far-reaching impacts on how the courts identify family violence, protect survivors, and ensure the best interests of children. We’re thrilled that the Court adopted many of our arguments that we set out alongside our friends … Read more Victory for survivors of family violence
R. v Ellis is about the sentencing of drug users who sell small amounts of fentanyl at the street level as a means…
I sat down with PACK to hear more about their reflections about the family policing…
Wednesday, May 4, 2022 – (Vancouver, BC – Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) territories) – A coalition of organizations, groups and concerned citizens are calling on the City of Vancouver to send a clear message to the Province of British Columbia to end its agreement with Canada Border Services Agency (CSBA) currently allowing … Read more Release: Jailing immigration detainees in British Columbia prisons infringes on rights
West Coast LEAF joins 14 groups and organizations in opposing Vancouver City Council Motion B4 “CCTV Cameras for the Purpose of Public Safety and Deterring and Solving Violent Crime.” Motion B4 lacks any grounding in evidence-based practices regarding the use of surveillance as a deterrent to crime or investigatory tool for policing. It also involves no … Read more Joint letter opposing Vancouver City Council motion for CCTV cameras
Alongside a group of front-line family support organizations, impacted parents, and feminist legal advocates, West Coast LEAF and Keeping Families Together made a submission to the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD) regarding its redesign of Specialized Homes and Support Services (formerly known as Contracted Residential Services). MCFD places children and youth in government care in contracted residence … Read more Submission regarding Specialized Homes and Support Services Redesign
