Call For Moratorium on Tasers

The BCCLA spoke out in opposition to the federal
government’s new approach to drugs. While additional funding for treatment is certainly needed, a close examination of the new strategy reveals significant cause for concern. The introduction of mandatory minimum sentences for so-called “serious drug crimes” poses a significant threat to civil liberties. This approach, used for more than a decade in the United States, has led to the imposition of unjust prison sentences for non-violent drug offenders while utterly failing to reduce either the supply or demand for drugs. It also strips away an important factor in sentencing; the ability of the judge to assess the entire picture when determining what sentence is appropriate.

BCCLA president Jason Gratl: "This scorched earth policy is out of touch with the psychological realities of drug addiction and drug distribution. It's so Richard Nixon."

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The British Columbia Civil Liberties Association is calling on the Solicitor General of British Columbia to issue a moratorium on the use of the Taser gun in British Columbia until such time as uniform standards for training, use and accountability are enshrined and enforced in law, and research confirms that the staggering accidental death rate associated with Tasers can be significantly reduced.

BCCLA President Jason Gratl: “Policing will not grind to a halt without the Taser. It is only one among a wide array of intermediate force options available to police. I don't understand how Minister Les could fail to be moved by these plainly undeserved deaths.”

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The BCCLA will participate in the public inquiry into the death of Frank Paul, a 47-year-old Mi'kmaq man who was dumped by Vancouver police in a downtown eastside alley where he died of exposure. Mr. Paul was arrested for public intoxication and taken into police custody in December 1998. Police jail surveillance video shows that police officers dragged Mr. Paul motionless and rain-soaked through the jail to the police wagon. He died several hours later. According to litigation director Grace Pastine, “We’ve waited far too long for effective systems of reporting, oversight and accountability within the Vancouver police department. This inquiry presents the opportunity to push for change.”

Mid-September Canadians received this welcome announcement from the Minister of Public Safety: "We have not and we will not be proposing legislation to grant police the powers to get information from internet companies without a warrant." What was a bit confusing about this announcement was that, at the time, the government was holding a consultation on a proposal to do just what the Minister claimed was not being proposed. The discovery of that consultation prompted the "no-no, never, never" promise from the MInister, but did not put a stop to the consultation. Here is the Association's submission on this latest chapter in the lawful access saga.

BCCLA submission

Citizenship Workshop

The goal of this workshop is to provide information and inspiration about Canadian citizenship, your rights and responsibilities as a citizen and why Canada needs your commitment and ideas to remain a vibrant democracy.
When: Monday, November 19, 2007 from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Bob Prittie Metrotown Branch Library Meeting Room 6100 Willingdon Ave Burnaby, B.C.
Guest Speaker: Murray Mollard, Executive Director of the BCCLA

While making a donation to the BCCLA is a good thing, why not make it even better for you and the Association by choosing to donate publicly traded stock and securities? Donating this way is a tax-smart way to donate to the BCCLA.

What you get for your donation of stocks will be a tax receipt for the fully appreciated value of the donation of publicly traded stock or securities. The great benefit to you from donating stocks is that not only do you get a tax receipt for your full donation amount, but you will have completely eliminated having to pay any capital gains tax on this transaction.

If this sounds like something you are interested in learning more about, we first recommend obtaining legal advice. Once you have spoken to your advisor, we would be happy to make you an appointment with our legal and financial expert. Please email our Director of Development, Sarah Frew or contact her by phone at 604-630-9750 and she will be happy to arrange a free legal consultation for you.

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