Updates & Press

Release: Supreme Court of Canada case to address equality implications of defamation lawsuits against marginalized people

11/10/2022Access to justice, Gender-based violence Press

October 11, 2022 – For Immediate Release Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory – Today, West Coast LEAF is intervening at the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) in Hansman v Neufeld, a case that will affect the ability of British Columbians to speak out against public discourse that threatens the dignity, equality, and safety of marginalized groups. The SCC … Read more Release: Supreme Court of Canada case to address equality implications of defamation lawsuits against marginalized people

Release: Rights group in court to defend right of Single Mothers’ Alliance to challenge BC’s family law legal aid regime

23/08/2022Access to justice, Family well-being, Gender-based violence Press

Tuesday, August 23, 2022—For Immediate Release Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish homelands—Today, West Coast LEAF is in court to defend the public interest standing of the Centre for Family Equity (CFE), formerly known as Single Mothers’ Alliance (SMA) in their constitutional challenge to BC’s family law legal aid regime. In an outrageous attack on access to … Read more Release: Rights group in court to defend right of Single Mothers’ Alliance to challenge BC’s family law legal aid regime

Release: Supreme Court deems non-consensual condom removal sexual assault

29/07/2022Gender-based violence Press

For Immediate Release – Friday, July 29, 2022 Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory—Today, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released a decision in R. v Kirkpatrick that will result in a broader recognition of non-consensual condom refusal or removal as sexual assault under the law. The Court confirmed that a person can make their partner’s … Read more Release: Supreme Court deems non-consensual condom removal sexual assault

BC becomes first province to end immigration detention in its jails

27/07/2022Access to justice, Criminalization Update

In a historic move, BC has become the first Canadian province to end immigration detention in its jails!…

Help us ensure safety for women and gender diverse refugees

05/07/2022Criminalization, Gender-based violence Update

Many of you have been following the challenge to the Safe Third Country Act (STCA) and its impact on refugees seeking safety and freedom from persecution in their country of origin. The case has now made it up to Canada’s highest court, and West Coast LEAF will be there to highlight how the STCA endangers refugees, and … Read more Help us ensure safety for women and gender diverse refugees

More good news from the Supreme Court of Canada!

04/07/2022Access to justice, Gender-based violence Update

Today, the Supreme Court of Canada released a decision that improves protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials. The decision in R v J.J. and A.S. v Her Majesty the Queen et al. will have a major impact on how courts handle sexual assault cases, and how a survivor’s private records can be used. Learn more about the protections for … Read more More good news from the Supreme Court of Canada!

Release: Supreme Court releases decision that protects sexual assault survivors in criminal trials

30/06/2022Access to justice, Gender-based violence Press

For Immediate Release – Thursday, June 30, 2022 Ottawa, unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory—The Supreme Court of Canada released a decision today that will improve protections for sexual assault survivors in criminal trials. The decision in R v J.J. and A.S. v Her Majesty the Queen et al. has significant implications for how courts handle sexual … Read more Release: Supreme Court releases decision that protects sexual assault survivors in criminal trials

Release: Supreme Court upholds access to justice in Charter challenges

23/06/2022Access to justice, Healthcare Press

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

Release: Historic Vancouver City Council vote calls on BC to end immigration detention

09/06/2022Criminalization Press

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

Victory for survivors of family violence

26/05/2022Access to justice, Family well-being, Gender-based violence Update

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