NEWS 2012
Criminally charged RCMP officer represents force at conference
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association is expressing concern that an RCMP officer who took a laptop was immediately removed from service and had to turn in his badge and gun, while an officer involved in a shooting gave a presentation to a Nanaimo community group on behalf of the RCMP in October, 2011, just five months after being charged with aggravated assault in relation to that incident.
News release
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February 2, 2012
BCCLA questions CPC independence, openness after Willey video removed
The BCCLA is questioning the independence and transparency of the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP after a video of a controversial death in custody was removed from the internet. The BCCLA has reposted the video here, after obtaining a copy.
News release
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February 1, 2012
BCCLA police accountability book delivered to BC’s new police accountability agency head
Robert Holmes, Q.C. and David Eby of the BCCLA hand delivered seven copies of the BCCLA’s new book Police-Involved Deaths: The Need for Reform to the head of B.C.’s new police investigation body, the Independent Investigation Office.
News release
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January 30, 2012
BCCLA congratulates RCMP for ending partnership with rogue police force
The BCCLA is congratulating the RCMP for suspending a partnership with an American police department currently being sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Justice. The partnership with the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office involved “drug recognition expert” training for Canadian police officers.
News release
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January 29, 2012
Federal Government and RCMP complaints body must take off-duty police misconduct seriously
The BCCLA is calling for a shake-up at the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP after the second shocking revelation about the oversight agency in the last two months. The latest development comes via notice that the CPC refuses to accept so-called “off duty” complaints involving RCMP officers.
News release
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January 24, 2012
Advocacy groups call on BC Representative for Children and Youth to review centralization of girls’ imprisonment
Three prominent rights organizations in B.C. have joined to ask the Representative for Children and Youth to review the B.C. Government’s proposal to transport all girl prisoners across the province to the Burnaby youth prison.
News release
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January 20, 2012
Report: legal protections needed to catch-up with genetic technology
The BCCLA is issuing a report today that calls for legal protections to catch-up with advances in genetic technology. Genetic technologies have inherent risks because they provide highly sensitive information which can, or one day could, limit opportunities in employment, schooling and insurance matters.
News release
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January 19, 2012
Access to justice for vulnerable groups at the Supreme Court of Canada
The Supreme Court of Canada will hear argument on whether or not “public interest” groups can file and argue complex constitutional litigation on behalf of vulnerable populations tomorrow. The BCCLA is an intervener in the case that has broad implications for access to justice in Canada.
News release
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January 18, 2012
Report says Canada moving towards a surveillance society with “Lawful Access” proposals
The BCCLA has issued a timely and comprehensive report on soon-to-be introduced “lawful access” bills to expand police surveillance powers.
News release
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January 13, 2012
(Un)lawful Access? Vancouver Premiere & Panel Discussion
Micheal Vonn, Policy Director for the BC Civil Liberties Association, will speak at the Vancouver premiere of the mini-documentary (Un)Lawful Access? Canadian Experts on the State of Cyber-Surveillance.
News release
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January 12, 2012
