Updates & Press

Defending the privacy and equality rights of sexual assault survivors

20/08/2021Access to justice, Gender-based violence Update

West Coast LEAF and Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre, formerly WAVAW, have been granted leave to jointly intervene in two appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada that address the constitutionality of new protections for complainants in sexual assault trials. The cases, R. v J.J. (an appeal and cross-appeal arising out of BC), and A.S. v Her Majesty the Queen (an … Read more Defending the privacy and equality rights of sexual assault survivors

Release: Supreme Court of Canada improves child support law, addressing economic insecurity of single mothers and their children

04/06/2021Access to justice, Economic security, Family well-being Press

The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Colucci v Colucci today, setting out much-needed clarifications in child support law that will make it easier for single mothers to receive the child support that they are owed. The Women’s Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF) and West Coast LEAF are thrilled that the Court adopted many of the arguments that they set … Read more Release: Supreme Court of Canada improves child support law, addressing economic insecurity of single mothers and their children

Release: BC Budget 2021: A missed opportunity to foster gender-based equity, leverage federal budget commitments

21/04/2021Access to justice, Economic security, Family well-being, Gender-based violence Press

VANCOUVER, UNCEDED COAST SALISH HOMELANDS – With BC Budget 2021 released yesterday, the province has missed an historic opportunity to leverage the federal commitments to gender equity and rebuild crumbling provincial systems that have been gutted or allowed to languish over many decades. “Today’s budget announcement is disappointing. We were hoping to see the provincial … Read more Release: BC Budget 2021: A missed opportunity to foster gender-based equity, leverage federal budget commitments

LEAFlet newletters

19/11/2020Access to justice, Criminalization, Economic security, Family well-being, Gender-based violence, Healthcare Update

Dating back to 2002, LEAFlets have been an accessible, seasonal method for West Coast LEAF to communicate our work at-a-glance. These LEAFlets hold a treasure trove of information on our work spanning decades, including summaries of cases, spotlights of community partners, interviews with staff, supporters, and volunteers, and much more. While LEAFlets are no longer … Read more LEAFlet newletters

Release: Supreme Court to decide case on child support orders with critical impacts on women and children’s poverty

03/11/2020Economic security, Family well-being, Gender-based violence Press

Ottawa, ON – Tomorrow, on November 4, the Supreme Court of Canada will hear arguments in a family law case from Ontario that will significantly affect women and children’s poverty. LEAF and West Coast LEAF will be intervening in the appeal to highlight the reality that child support in Canada is chronically underpaid and overwhelmingly gendered. LEAF and West Coast … Read more Release: Supreme Court to decide case on child support orders with critical impacts on women and children’s poverty

Release: Supreme Court of Canada’s anti-SLAPP judgments endanger survivors of gender-based violence

11/09/2020Access to justice, Gender-based violence Press

VANCOUVER – On September 10, 2020, the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) released judgments in two cases concerning the interpretation of Ontario’s anti-Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPP) laws; on which BC’s Protection of Public Participation Act is modeled. In response to the decisions, the anti-violence sector urges the Supreme Court to centre the voices of survivors of … Read more Release: Supreme Court of Canada’s anti-SLAPP judgments endanger survivors of gender-based violence

A piece of feminist history: Celebrating 35 years of West Coast LEAF

15/07/2020Access to justice, Economic security Update

This month, West Coast LEAF officially turns 35 years old…

21 Days of Paid Sick Leave: A Feminist Issue

01/07/2020Economic security Update

As Canada and the world adapts to a “new normal,” we’re grappling with the ways that the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened economic precarity…

Addressing the Child Support Crisis in Canada

17/06/2020Access to justice, Economic security, Family well-being Update

In 2018, in anticipation of amendments to the federal Divorce Act, Attorney General Jody Wilson-Raybould, brought public attention to the vast scope of unpaid child support in Canada. “There are billions of dollars in unpaid child support payments in Canada and we need to do something about it – parents have to meet their obligations – and … Read more Addressing the Child Support Crisis in Canada

Six Things to Know about The DTES Ethical Research Manifesto

10/06/2020Access to justice, Economic security Update

Back in February 2020, which now seems like a lifetime ago, West Coast LEAF signed on as an organizational endorser of Research 101: A Manifesto for Ethical Research in the Downtown Eastside. The Manifesto was developed by peer workers in the Downtown Eastside (DTES) through a six-part workshop series, in collaboration with SFU researchers. It “provide[s] guidelines … Read more Six Things to Know about The DTES Ethical Research Manifesto