Updates & Press

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

What is the Family Policing System?: An Interview with Parents Advocating Collectively for Kin (PACK)

11/05/2022Economic security, Family well-being Update

I sat down with PACK to hear more about their reflections about the family policing…

Release: Jailing immigration detainees in British Columbia prisons infringes on rights

04/05/2022Criminalization Press

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

Coming soon: Gender Equality Report Card

21/04/2022Economic security, Healthcare Update

We are excited to share that our next edition of the Gender Equality Report Card will be coming soon in January 2023. This report monitors BC’s progress in advancing gender equality in 2021 and 2022. It focuses on two key areas: economic security and access to health care. The Report Card is a key avenue … Read more Coming soon: Gender Equality Report Card

Equal Pay Day Today and Everyday

12/04/2022Economic security Update

In Canada, Equal Pay Day is April 12. It symbolizes how far into the current year the average woman must work to earn what the average man earned in the previous year. BC has one of the highest gender pay gaps in Canada. The gap is much worse for women and gender-diverse people who are … Read more Equal Pay Day Today and Everyday

BC’s Budget 2022 fails to take bold action on gender-based violence

24/02/2022Access to justice, Economic security, Family well-being, Gender-based violence, Healthcare Update

Earlier this week, we were at BC’s 2022 Budget presentation in Victoria on the unceded Coast Salish homelands of the Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ peoples. While West Coast LEAF welcomes BC’s announcement that it will reverse cuts that were made in 2002 and provide core funding to community-based sexual assault response organizations, Budget 2022 fails to … Read more BC’s Budget 2022 fails to take bold action on gender-based violence

Budget 2022 – What’s at Stake?

03/02/2022Access to justice, Gender-based violence, Healthcare Update

Budget Day is fast approaching in BC, and one thing is clear: the 2022 Budget cannot be a return to the status quo. This is chance for BC to action commitments to gender equity, so that we may reimagine what is possible instead of returning to what was. It’s a historic opportunity to learn lessons … Read more Budget 2022 – What’s at Stake?