Hotties and Naughties
The BCCLA releases list of the best and worst for the year.
News release >>
December 24, 2008
A Setback for Human Rights Protection: Federal Court of Appeal Rules in Afghan Prisoner Case
The BCCLA and Amnesty International today expressed their considerable dismay that the Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a March 2008 Federal Court ruling that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms has no application to the actions of Canadian soldiers who handle prisoners apprehended in the course of fighting in Afghanistan.
News release >>
December 18, 2008
BCCLA Calls for Reinstating Prison Parenting Program The BCCLA is calling on the provincial government to reinstate the mother-child program at the Alouette Correctional Centre for Women. The BCCLA has released a position paper on child apprehensions in BC correctional facilities and called on the Solicitor General and Minister for Children and Family Development to bring the program back.
News release >>
Letter to Ministers van Dongen and Christensen >>
BCCLA position paper >>
December 12, 2008
BCCLA Heads to Supreme Court of Canada to Challenge Limits On Access to Government Information
The BCCLA will intervene at the Supreme Court of Canada in Ministry of Public Safety and Security et al. v. Criminal Lawyers' Association, a case concerning the right of the public to access government information.
News release >>
December 10, 2008
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights at 60:
Canadian Government Argues for Restricted View of Charter of Rights
The Federal Court of Appeal will hear an appeal brought by Amnesty International and the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association as part of the court challenge the two organizations launched in February 2007, seeking an end to the Canadian Forces’ practice of transferring detainees apprehended in Afghanistan into the custody of Afghan officials.
News release >>
December 9, 2008
BCCLA Says Translink Shouldn’t Unleash Plan for Sniffing Transit Users
The BCCLA says that Translink’s proposal to introduce police dogs to sniff transit users is unjustified and will violate people’s rights. Translink’s plan, calling for the introduction of police sniffer dogs on Skytrain and select transit stations, was announced today.
News release >>
December 2, 2008
BCCLA Names New Acting Executive Director
The BCCLA is pleased to announce that it has named housing and policing accountability advocate and lawyer David Eby as its acting Executive Director. Eby, one of Vancouver Magazine’s top seven advocates in 2007 and one of the Vancouver Sun’s top 20 most public Vancouverites, will be taking over the role effective December 1, 2008.
News release >>
November 24, 2008
Border Should Not Be Used to Ban People from Speaking on Contentious Issues
The Canada Border Services Agency should not be in the business of screening what viewpoints are presented to Canadians in Canada.
News release >>
November 12, 2008
Bylaws Preventing Homeless From Erecting Shelters Found Unconstitutional
The BCCLA applauds the British Columbia Supreme Court judgment released today in Victoria (City) v. Adams, which decides that Victoria’s bylaws that prevent homeless people from erecting temporary shelters violate section 7 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
News release >>
October 14, 2008
BCCLA Criticizes Voter ID Requirements in Advance of Federal Election
The BCCLA opposes new federal voting rules that require all voters to produce identification at the polls. Amendments to the Canada Elections Act will require a driver’s license or two pieces of approved ID that contain a voter’s name and address to confirm voter eligibility.
News release >>
October 9, 2008
BCCLA Calls for Government Investigation and Action Against VANOC'S Unconscionable Efforts to Stifle Free Speech
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games purchases of outdoor advertising locations for the ten-week period surrounding the Olympic Games amounts to an unconscionable effort to suppress other viewpoints.
News release >>
Letter to Commissioner of Competition>>
Oct 8, 2008
BCCLA Boycotts RCMP Complaints Process
The BCCLA is boycotting the RCMP public complaints process where civil remedies in court or other agencies are available. After many years of assisting complainants and launching its own complaints, the BCCLA has concluded that the process is fundamentally flawed and does not work
News release >>
Letter to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day >>
October 2, 2008
BCCLA Calls for a Halt to Gov't Copyright Trade Negotiations
The proposed ACTA initiative appears to us likely to lead to more litigation and less clarity about the rights of ordinary Canadians. It appears that the rights of individuals will get trampled in the process.
Sept 12, 2008
BCCLA Opposes Use of Foreign Police in Canada
The BCCLA has complained that Texas State Troopers were permitted by the RCMP to engage in law enforcement activities as part of an exchange program in British Columbia focused on the drug trade.
News release >>
Commission for Public Complaints report >>
BCCLA letter to Commissioner Elliott >>
August 13, 2008
BCCLA and Pivot Announce New Initiative on Police Complaints
Pivot Legal Society and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association formally announced that they have joined forces to boycott the province-wide police complaints system.
July 30, 2008
Bill C-61 is intended to bring Canada up to date with international treaty obligations and address new technologies, especially the digital reproduction and distribution of copyrighted materials.
The opposition to Bill C-61 has focused on the protection of technological protection measures (TPMs, also known as digital rights management or DRM), digital locks intended to allow rights holders to control how their work is copied and distributed and to limit infringing use of these works. However, in doing so, TPMs prevent a myriad of legitimate uses, such as time and format shifting, or copies for personal use, educational purposes, review purposes, research, and parody.
July 28, 2008
BCCLA Files Police Complaints Over Policy of Search and Seizure on Canada Day
The BCCLA filed complaints with the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP and the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner regarding the policy of mandatory search for and seizure of alcohol before Canada Day celebrations in Victoria, BC.
Complaint >>
Photo >>
July 8, 2008
BCCLA Decries Secret Consultations
The BCCLA is calling on the Premier to throw out a controversial confidentiality agreement parties are made to sign to participate in the consultation process about proposed amendments to the Police Act.
News release >>
Government confidentiality agreement >>
BCCLA response to Government >>
Solicitor General's response >>
July 3, 2008
BCCLA Applauds Supreme Court of Canada Decision in Media Defamation Case
The BCCLA is encouraged by the Supreme Court of Canada judgment in Simpson v. Mair and WIC Radio, which dismissed an action for defamation against Rafe Mair.
June 27, 2008
BC Supreme Court Releases Decision Concerning Frank Paul Inquiry
A recent decision of the BC Supreme Court held that the Criminal Justice Branch of the Ministry of the Attorney General must provide evidence in the Frank Paul inquiry concerning prosecutors’ decisions not to lay charges in connection with the death of Frank Paul.
June 25, 2008
Civil Rights Groups Launch Study of Travellers Caught in the Web of Government Watchlists
On the first anniversary of the Canadian no-fly list coming into effect, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association joins a coalition of organizations launching an innovative research project to document the impact on citizens’ rights of the no-fly list and other watchlists.
June 18, 2008
BCCLA Granted Leave to Intervene in Important Homeless Rights Case
At issue in the case is whether the City of Victoria’s bylaws, which prevent homeless individuals from erecting shelters to protect themselves from the elements when sleeping outside, violate the Charter rights of the homeless and Canada’s international obligations.
June 16, 2008
BCCLA Files Complaint Against RCMP After Police Pursuit
The complaint raises concerns regarding the involvement of an unmarked police vehicle in the pursuit of Randall Dennis Girard.
Complaint to Paul Kennedy >>
News Release >>
June 12, 2008
Canadian Officers Responsible for the Transfers of Detainees in Afghanistan Must Be Investigated, Say Rights Groups
The failure of the military police to investigate officers having command responsibility for directing the transfer of detainees to the Afghanistan authorities, in the face of a known risk of torture, must be examined.
June 11, 2008
BCCLA Calls for a Halt to Government’s Copyright Trade Negotiations
Recently leaked documents indicate that the government’s “closed-door” negotiation of the Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (ACTA) will usher in sweeping police and border agent searches and confiscations of citizens’ electronic devices in the name of anti-piracy.
News release >>
Letter to Prime Minister Harper >>
June 11, 2008
Frank Paul Inquiry
BCCLA's final submission.
June 4, 2008
BCCLA Applauds Supreme Court Decision in Safe Injection Facility Cases
The BC Supreme Court granted a supervised injection facility, Insite, located in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, a permanent constitutional exemption from prosecution under federal drug laws.
May 28, 2008
BCCLA Supports Prevention of Torture Act
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is supporting the introduction of the Prevention of Torture Act by the NDP’s Dawn Black in the House of Commons today.
May 27, 2008
BCCLA Continues to Oppose Ad Restrictions in Amended Bill 42
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is giving a failing grade to the Liberal government’s amendments to Bill 42’s third party advertising restrictions that impose limits on advertising before and during an election campaign.
May 27, 2008
BCCLA To Push For Moratorium on Tasers at Braidwood Inquiry Murray Mollard, Executive Director of the BCCLA will be appear before the Braidwood Inquiry to make a submission calling for a moratorium on the use of Tasers. The BCCLA’s submission will emphasize concerns about civilian oversight of law enforcement and rules for use of Tasers.
News release >>
Submission >>
Taser Correspondence >>
May 23, 2008
BCCLA Applauds Supreme Court of Canada in Groundbreaking Constitutional Rights Case
The Supreme Court of Canada released a judgement today in Minister of Justice, et al. v. Omar Ahmed Khadr, unanimously deciding that Canada’s complicity in the process at Guantanamo Bay violated Canada’s binding obligation under international law. The BCCLA appeared as an intervenor in the case.
May 23, 2008
Censorship on Trial: BCCLA Applies to Intervene in Important Free Speech Cases
The BCCLA is applying for leave to intervene in two important free speech cases before the federal and British Columbia human rights tribunals. At issue in both cases is whether the expression of controversial, even hateful expressions can be censored by the state via tribunals that traditionally protect the value of equality by sanctioning discrimination.
May 20, 2008
BCCLA Opposes Ad Resitrictions in Bill 42
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is calling on the provincial government of British Columbia to eliminate third party advertising restrictions on advertising 120 days before and during an election campaign. These restrictions are outlined in Bill 42, the Election Amendment Act.
May 14, 2008
Experts Gather to Discuss How Radio Frequency Identification Technology is Changing the World
Three leading academics are gathering in Vancouver on Thursday to give a free public lecture on the little chips that are transforming machine-to-machine communication and our privacy landscape.
May 13, 2008
BCCLA Opposes New Voter Identification
Requirements in Bill 42
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is condemning the Liberal government’s new provincial voter ID requirements for non-registered voters in Bill 42, the Election Amendment Act, 2008.
May 6, 2008
Ontario Ombudsman and Lead Investigator to Present on Best Practices for Death-in-Custody Investigations at Frank Paul Inquiry The BCCLA has arranged for André Marin and Gareth Jones to present at the Frank Paul Inquiry. Mr. Marin is the current Ombudsman for Ontario, Mr. Jones was a lead investigator for the SIU from 1991 to 1998.
May 6, 2008
BCCLA Heads to Court to Challenge Criminalization of
Safe Injection Facility
The BCCLA will appear as an intervenor at the B.C. Supreme Court in two cases involving a constitutional challenge to federal drug control legislation that could criminalize the operation of the supervised injection facility, Insite, in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside.
BCCLA Legal Argument >>
April 28, 2008
BCCLA Sues City of Powell River for Free Speech Violation Over Defamation Threat
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has filed a lawsuit in the Supreme Court of British Columbia against the City of Powell River for violation of the free expression rights of citizens to criticize their government.
Letter to Powell River city council >>
Writ of Summons >>
April 24, 2008
Privacy advocates take aim at B.C. Government's E-Health legislation.
April 23, 2008
BCCLA Calls on CanWest to Drop its Legal Action Against Accused Satirists
In an open letter, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is calling on CanWest to drop its lawsuit against Mordecai Briemberg and a local publisher, Horizons Publications over an alleged trademark infringement based on a mock edition of the Vancouver Sun.
News release >>
Letter >>
April 23, 2008
B.C. Civil Liberties Association Elects Robert D. Holmes
as New President
Mr. Holmes, a member of the Law Society of B.C. since 1983, is an experienced litigation lawyer and a principal in the law firm of Holmes & King.
April 22, 2008
BCCLA Heads to B.C. Supreme Court to Challenge
Constitutionality of Provincial "Grow-Op" Legislation
The BCCLA will appear as an intervenor today at the BC Supreme Court in Arkinstall et al v. Surrey et al, a case that involves a challenge to the constitutionality of British Columbia’s Safety Standards Act.
April 21, 2008
Incident reports show officers are using the Taser to gain compliance from nonviolent and nonthreatening individuals.
News release >>
Letter to Dirk Ryneveld, Police Complaint Commissioner >>
Translink use of force policy >>
April 16, 2008
RCMP Complaint System Terribly Broken
BCCLA Demands New Oversight Agency
News release >>
Submission to Paul Kennedy, Chair, Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP.
April 16, 2008
B.C. Court of Appeal Agrees with BCCLA
Human Rights Tribunal Should be Allowed to Determine if “Sexual Orientation” Provisions Protect “BDSM”
April 9, 2008
The BCCLA today filed a complaint with the BC Privacy Commissioner David Loukidelis that contends that the 2008 Safe School and Social Responsibility Survey violates the privacy rights of students.
News release >>
Letter to Superintendents of Schools >>
April 3, 2008
Kennedy's Income Trust Report Fails to Connect the Dots
The BCCLA is disappointed with the report of Paul Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP into the public disclosure of the RCMP’s income trust criminal investigation during the last federal election. The report fails to connect the dots between his findings of fact and his finding of fault.
March 31, 2008
BCCLA Appears at Supreme Court of Canada in Two Groundbreaking Constitutional Rights Cases
Political advertising on public transit and Canada’s complicity in the proceedings of Omar Khadr.
March 25, 2008
BCCLA Condemns Provincial Electoral Boundaries Decision by Provincial Government
The BCCLA is condemning the Liberal Government’s resolution today to adopt provincial electoral boundaries that will undermine constitutional principles of voter parity.
March 13, 2008
BCCLA Urges Mayor to Retract Threat of Suit
The BCCLA today sent a letter to Mayor of Langford Stewart Young expressing its concern over a public threat to recover policing costs from individuals protesting construction of the Bear Mountain interchange.
Letter to Mayor >>
News release >>
March 12, 2008
BCCLA Calls for Rules to Prevent RCMP Influence in Elections Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) and BCCLA call for improvements to B.C.'s Personal Information Protection Act (PIPA) BCCLA Legal Argument: Omar Khadr Robert Latimer Appeal Allowed BCCLA Calls For RCMP Participation in Dziekanski Inquiry BCCLA Calls on Canadian and Afghan Governments to Intervene in Kaambashk Affair BCCLA Files Police Complaint Against Victoria Police
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is urging Paul Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP to recommend to the RCMP and Minister of Public Safety Stockwell Day rules to ensure that the RCMP does not inappropriately influence elections.
News Release >>
Letter to Paul Kennedy >>
March 10, 2008
PIPA protects the privacy of personal information held by provincially-regulated businesses and non-profit groups. FIPA and BCCLA have called for improvements to the act in order to give individuals better knowledge of what corporations do with their personal information and easier access when they want to see the personal information a corporation has collected about them. This is the first review of the act since it was passed in 2003.
March 11, 2008
The question raised by the appeal is what constitutional duties Canada owes Omar Khadr under the Charter in light of flagrantly illegal conduct of the American government.
March 3, 2008
An examination of the administration of prisons by private, for-profit contractors.
February 29, 2008
"Decision of December 5, 2007 to deny day parole is reversed;
You are to be immediately released on day parole..."
Decision of National Parole Board >>
News release >>
BCCLA president Jason Gratl's submission >>
February 27, 2008
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is calling for revision of the Terms of Reference for the “study” Commission of Inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski to include participation by the RCMP’s ‘E’ Division and the municipal detachments of the RCMP.
February 19, 2008
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association wrote today to the Canadian and Afghan governments to express its deep concerns about the case of Mr. Sayed Perwiz Kaambashk, an Afghan citizen recently condemned to death by an Afghan court, according to reliable media reports.
News release >>
Letters >>
February 13, 2008
Federal Court Justice Anne Mactavish has ruled today that she will not grant a temporary injunction prohibiting Canadian Forces from transferring detainees into Afghan custody.
February 7, 2008
The BCCLA filed a complaint with the Office of the Police Complaints Commissioner today over the treatment of 15-year-old Willow Kinloch by the Victoria Police Department. Ms. Kinloch, now 18, has launched a civil suit against the Victoria police after she was left alone in a small padded cell, hancuffed and with her legs tied up, for over four hours. The incident was captured on video.
News release >>
Letter to Dirk Ryneveld, Police Complaint Commissioner >>
January 28, 2008
Afghan Detainee Transfers
Letter revealing end to prisoner transfers.
January 24, 2008
Government Ceases Afghan Detainee Transfers
The Government of Canada has informed the BC Civil Liberties Association and Amnesty International Canada that it has ordered the Canadian Forces to cease all transfers of detainees into Afghan custody due to allegations of torture, effective November 5, 2007.
January 23, 2008
Robert Latimer Files Appeal of Parole Denial
Robert Latimer filed an appeal of the denial of his request for day parole at the Appeal Division of the National Parole Board this Wednesday, January 23, 2008. The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association strongly supports his release into day parole.
News release >>
Letter to National Parole Board >>
January 23, 2008
Torture Documents
Government was aware of torture of Afghan detainees.
News release >>
Torture documents >>
Nicholas Gosselin transcrip >>
January 21, 2008
Amnesty International Canada and British Columbia Civil Liberties Association v. Chief of the Defence Staff for the Canadian Forces, Minister of National Defence and Attorney General of Canada, Court File Number T-324-07.
Privacy Protections
BCCLA and B.C. Freedom of Information and Privacy Association (FIPA) report to parliamentary committee regarding the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA)
January 18, 2008
Canada Needs an Anti-Torture Act
Tom Sandborn argues for acceptance of anti-torture legislation.
January 15, 2008
BCCLA in Federal Court Over Income Trust Investigation
The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is in the Federal Court today in Toronto to challenge the decision of Paul Kennedy, Chair of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP, to refuse to review the BCCLA’s second complaint into the RCMP’s handling of the Income Trust matter in fall 2005.
January 14, 2008
