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| August 2008 | |||
| Litigation Update: BCCLA to Supreme Court of Canada on Civil Forfeiture | Texas State Troopers Policing in B.C.? |
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The BCCLA will participate as a public interest intervener in the upcoming Supreme Court of Canada case of Chaterjee v. Attorney General of Ontario which involves a constitutional challenge to the Ontario civil foreiture laws found in the Civil Remedies Act. Ontario’s Act came into effect in 2002 and allows the province to seize assets if it can prove that the assets were obtained “in whole or in part” due to illegal activity. The BCCLA will argue that the Act, and other similar pieces of forfeiture legislation, circumvent Charter rights by re-characterizing what are in essence criminal proceedings as civil, thereby reversing the burden of proof and diminishing rights to counsel and other important protections. The BCCLA is represented by David Butcher of Wilson, Buck, Butcher & Sears and Anthony D. Price of Farris, Vaughan, Wills & Murphy LLP. |
The BCCLA's RCMP complaint into the Mounties' Operation Pipeline (including direct policing by Texas State Troopers in B.C. to intercept drug-impaired drivers and traffickers) has been finally resolved.
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On Thursday, November 20, 2008, the BC Civil Liberties Association will showcase a special public lecture by leading criminal lawyer, Eddie Greenspan Q.C., at the Law Courts Inn in downtown Vancouver. A VIP reception will follow to honour the pro bono legal talents and key supporters who champion civil liberties and human rights on behalf of the BCCLA. We invite you to join us at this special event that will engage Vancouver’s legal and business sectors, by buying tickets or becoming a sponsor. Steps in the Rights Direction 365 Human Rights Celebrations and Tragedies That Inspired Canada and the World Please join Vancouver human rights author Stephen Hammond in a stimulating conversation about the findings of his new book, which gives us fascinating historical information about one human rights fact for every day of the year, from January 1st to December 31st. Murray Mollard, Executive Director of the BCCLA, will also give a short talk on human rights.
Free admission $15 per book sold will be donated to charities such as the BCCLA (hard cover book costs $29.95) Monday, September 15, 2008 Community Champions If your workplace conducts a United Way or employee giving campaign this fall, your coworkers’ regular gifts can do twice as much if you ask them to designate donations to the BCCLA – just include our registered charity number on the donor form: 888466844RR0001. CANCELLED - Garden Party Art Auction Please note that the Garden Party featuring Michael Byers on Saturday, September 6 has been cancelled. We regret any inconvenience this may cause. |
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| Civil Liberties Update is a summary of some of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association's recent work. The Association publishes a newsletter, The Democratic Commitment, an annual report and posts its positions, submissions, legal arguments and news releases at www.bccla.org. | |||
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BCCLA Executive Director Murray Mollard “There is good news and bad news in the outcome of our complaint. The good news is that our complaint was substantiated for the most part and there will be a review of the legality of Operation Pipeline-like RCMP initiatives. The bad news is that the CPC made no recommendation for discipline of the RCMP officers despite their illegal conduct, foreign police can still operate in Canada, and the delay by RCMP Commissioner Elliott makes a mockery of the RCMP complaint system.”
The Power of Liberty - Eddie Greenspan, Q.C. Public Talk