Civil Liberties Update

The Vancouver Public Library Board confirmed the decision of library management to ban a scheduled discussion on assisted suicide at the VPL main branch. Australian group Exit International had booked a room to present a workshop based on their bestselling book The Peaceful Pill Handbook.

Legal Observers in Victoria for 2010 Olympic Torch Launch

The BCCLA had five teams of legal observers present in Victoria for the launch of the Olympic torch run. The observer program is designed to ensure that security forces participating in the 2010 Olympics do not exceed their authority in securing Games venues and events. The torch run was their first time to take the streets.

BCCLA Partners with UBC Students for 2010 Olympics

The BCCLA is partnering with the Student Legal Fund Society at the University of British Columbia to introduce an Olympic legal preparedness program for UBC students.

City Tries Delay Tactics to Stall Court Challenge on Bylaws

A press release and a letter to the BCCLA show that the City is working hard to avoid having controversial anti-free speech bylaw provisions get to Court before the Olympics. Two activists, Chris Shaw and Alissa Westergaard Thorpe, in partnership with the BCCLA, have filed a lawsuit challenging the bylaws.

Olympic Police Reps to Get Legal Observer Training

Both the Vancouver Police Department and the Integrated Security Unit for the 2010 Olympic Games have accepted the BCCLA’s offer to provide legal observer training to senior officers.

BCCLA Condemns B.C. Government Bill Permitting Sign Removal

The BCCLA condemned the B.C. government’s Bill 13 proposals to allow Richmond, Whistler and Vancouver to enter residences and other private property with only 24 hours notice to remove or cover up signs during the Olympic period.

B.C. Government Plans to Remove Homeless to Shelters

The BCCLA criticized the provincial government’s Assistance to Shelter Act, as a band-aid approach that could easily be used to displace the homeless from high-visibility areas in time for the Olympics.

BCCLA Demands Equal Treatment for U Vic Pro-life Club

The BCCLA is taking up the case of Youth Protecting Youth, a pro-life club at the University of Victoria.

Government Does the Right Thing on Polygamy

The BCCLA applauded the decision of BC’s Attorney General Michael de Jong to refer the constitutionality of the criminal code section that makes polygamy illegal in Canada to the B.C. Supreme Court.

Vancouver Public Library Decides to Ban Suicide Discussion