NEWS
BCCLA opposes ban on U Vic pro-life club
The BCCLA, which has a long history of successfully fighting for the reproductive autonomy of women, condemns the attempt to silence pro-life advocacy on the University of Victoria campus.
News release >>
February 4, 2010
VPD makes the right call in asking Delta to investigate Wu beating
Following a call from the B.C. Civil Liberties Association for an external investigator to be appointed in the beating of Yao Wei Wu by Vancouver Police officers, the VPD has appointed the Delta Police Force to conduct an investigation of the matter.
News release >>
February 1, 2010
Canada Violated Omar Khadr’s Charter Rights: Supreme Court
The BCCLA is pleased by a Supreme Court of Canada decision that the Government of Canada violated the Charter rights of Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr.
News release >>
January 29, 2010
Omar Khadr
The Supreme Court of Canada will issue its decision on Friday, January 29, 2010 in the case of Omar Khadr. The court will decide whether the Government of Canada must obey a Federal Court order that would force the government to ask the United States for the return of Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr.
News release >>
January 28, 2010
BCCLA Condemns Violence as Protest Tactic
The BCCLA today condemned violence as a protest tactic following an incident where a PETA protester apparently threw a “tofu cream pie” hitting the federal fisheries minister squarely in the face.
News release >>
January 26, 2010
BCCLA Thanks Transit Police for Correcting Olympic Publication
The BCCLA thanked the transit police for revising an Olympic security publication that was distributed to businesses along Skytrain lines that appeared to equate free expression activities with criminal activity worthy of police investigation.
News release >>
January 26, 2010
Advisory: BCCLA 2010 Olympic Media Opportunities
The BCCLA is pleased to announce unique media opportunities during the 2010 Olympics.
News release >>
January 25, 2010
Activists Call Off Olympic Free Speech Lawsuit
Activists backed by the BCCLA in a lawsuit to protect their free speech rights against Olympic bylaws passed by the City of Vancouver have officially withdrawn their case as a result of amendments made to the bylaw by the City of Vancouver.
News release >>
January 25, 2010
BCCLA Calls on VPD to Ask Another Force to Investigate Beating
Following unsubstantiated allegations by representatives of the Vancouver Police Department that a man beaten by VPD officers in a case of mistaken identity had “resisted,” and then a retraction of those comments the next day, the BCCLA called for the investigation of the matter to be undertaken by an independent police department.
News release >>
January 22, 2010
MEDIA ADVISORY: BC Court of Appeal to Hear Arguments on Sex Workers’ Right to Challenge Prostitution Laws
The BCCLA will appear in the BC Court of Appeal on Thursday, January 21 and Friday, January 22, 2010, to intervene on behalf of Sex Workers United Against Violence (SWUAV). SWUAV is challenging the constitutionality of Canada’s laws against prostitution. SWAV is appealing a BC Supreme Court decision that they do not have legal standing to bring their case forward.
News release >>
January 21, 2010
Make Government Compensate Victims for Charter Violations
BCCLA argues in Supreme Court of Canada that being wrongly jailed and strip-searched requires compensation.
News release >>
January 18, 2010
Court Set to Rule on Future of Supervised Injection Site
The future of Insite, Vancouver’s supervised injection site, will be revealed by the BC Court of Appeal on Friday. The Court will release its decision in two cases that are essential to the continued operation of the supervised injection site.
News release >>
January 14, 2010
BCCLA Hosting Police-Involved Deaths Talk at Vancity Theatre
The BCCLA is welcoming national and international experts in police-involved and in-custody deaths to Vancouver for a free public forum on in-custody deaths January 21.
News release >>
January 7, 2010
Security Measures for Vancouver 2010
The BCCLA is endorsing the statement of Canadian and International researchers who study “mega-event” security.
News release >>
December 31, 2009
BCCLA Releases the Best and the Worst
Who's hot and who's not for 2009.
News release >>
December 28, 2009
BCCLA Launches National Security Blog
The BCCLA’s new National Security blog brings you updates on the breaking national security issues of the day, with informed commentary and insight.
News release >>
December 22, 2009
Police Reserve the Right to Take Over Activist Groups for 2010
In a letter promising that undercover police officers and agents will not provoke others into violence, the head of the 2010 Olympic police force has refused to promise that his undercover officers won’t take over and direct the activities of activist groups, or commit illegal acts themselves.
News release >>
Letter from the BCCLA and response from the ISU >>
December 22, 2009
City Orders Anti-Olympic Mural Removed From Gallery
The City of Vancouver has shut down the public art space that has existed, uninterrupted since 2003, in front of the Crying Room gallery at 157 East Cordova Street following the posting of an anti-Olympic mural.
News release >>
December 11, 2009
BCCLA Supports RCMP Complaints Body That RCMP Not Self-Investigate
The BCCLA endorsed a key recommendation that the RCMP no longer investigate itself in today’s report by the Commission for Public Complaints Against the RCMP into the death of Robert Dziekanski at Vancouver International Airport.
News release >>
December 8, 2009
BCCLA Endorses Report, Says Olympic Police Can Do Better
The BCCLA announced its general support for a series of recommendations issued today by the 2010 Olympic Civil Liberties Advisory Committee today, but added that the recommendations ought to go further to ensure free speech and free assembly rights are protected in and around the Winter Games venues and corridors between them.
News release >>
December 2, 2009
CBC Frees Airwaves for Political Ads After BCCLA Intervenes
The CBC has reversed course and will now allow political advertisements on its airwaves outside of election periods. Advocacy by the BCCLA, combined with a recent Supreme Court of Canada decision, resulted in the policy change.
News release >>
November 30, 2009
BCCLA Demands Coroner Call Inquest Into Boyd Death
The BCCLA is demanding that the Coroner call an inquest into the death of Paul Boyd at the hands of the Vancouver Police Department. Recent media reports have suggested that the Coroner is not certain whether or not Paul Boyd was in police custody or not, and therefore whether or not a coroner’s inquest is required.
News release >>
November 30, 2009
2009 Mary McDonald Contest Winners and New Essay Contest Announced
The contest awards the best post-secondary student essay on a human rights or civil liberties topic that is a focus of the BCCLA.
News release >>
November 26, 2009
BCCLA Calls On VANOC To Remove Artist Contract "Propaganda Clause"
The BCCLA is calling on the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to withdraw a clause in its artist contract that limits free expression.
News release >>
November 25, 2009
VPD Disables Sonic Gun in Response to BCCLA Objections
The Vancouver Police Department has responded to BCCLA demands that it refrain from using their newly acquired LRAD sonic gun as a weapon against protesters by disabling the device’s weapons feature.
News release >>
November 17, 2009
RCMP Agrees to Release Videotape of Willey Death
RCMP has agreed to release the videotape and investigation file of the in-custody, Taser-related death of Clayton Alvin Willey, following a public demand by the BCCLA and UBCIC.
News release >>
November 17, 2009
Groups Call on Premier to Bring BC Ferries Back Under FOI Act
The BC Freedom of Information and Privacy Association, the BCCLA, and the Canadian Taxpayers Federation sent a letter to Premier Gordon Campbell today calling for the return of BC Ferries to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.
News release >>
November 16, 2009
Community Demands Release of Videotape of
In-Custody Death
Representatives of a leading aboriginal and civil society group, along with a forensic pathologist and a journalist gathered yesterday to demand the release of security footage taken in an RCMP lockup that shows the Taser-related death of Clayton Alvin Willey, an aboriginal man.
News release >>
November 16, 2009
Community Leaders Demand Accountability for Taser-Involved Death of Aboriginal Man
Representatives of the Union of B.C. Indian Chiefs, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, along with an independent pathologist and a local writer will be gathering at UBCIC headquarters on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. for an announcement demanding release of videotape of a little known Taser-related death to the public.
News release >>
November 15, 2009
Omar Khadr
On November 13, the BCCLA will argue in the Supreme Court of Canada that the government must obey a Federal Court order to bring Canadian Guantanamo detainee Omar Khadr back to Canada.
News release >>
November 11, 2009
Broken Complaint System Last Chance for Accountability
The BCCLA is turning to B.C.'s broken police complaints system as one last hope for accountability in the Vancouver Police Department shooting death of Paul Boyd.
News release >>
November 10, 2009
BCCLA Demands Policy for VPD Olympic Sonic Gun
A representative for the Vancouver Police Department confirmed to the BCCLA last week that the VPD has acquired an LRAD (Long Range Acoustical Device) crowd control weapon for the 2010 Olympics. He advised that the VPD would be using the device to ensure that police instructions were clearly heard. The sonic gun fires a concentrated beam of sound at its targets that can cause hearing damage and temporarily disrupt vision.
News release >>
November 10, 2009
CJB Says No Need for Trial in Police Shooting of Paul Boyd
The Criminal Justice Branch has announced that it will not be advancing any criminal charges against a VPD officer who shot News release >>
Criminal Justice Branch Statement >>
November 10, 2009
BCCLA Film Fest: Victims of the Censor’s Knife
The BCCLA is hosting its first ever film festival and chosen four films involving censored content to raise awareness around free expression issues. The film festival has four films in two theatres at the Empire Granville Seven Cinemas on November 18, 2009 from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm. Tickets are $10 for BCCLA members, $15 for non-members, or $20 buys tickets and a BCCLA membership for a year.
News release >>
November 9, 2008
The BCCLA will argue in the Supreme Court of Canada that the Calgary Police Department used unreasonable force and broke the centuries old ‘knock and announce’ rule when they broke down the door of Lorraine Cornell’s home while executing a search warrant.
News release >>
November 9, 2009
Exit International Hosts First Canadian Workshop, Launches Euthanasia Drug Test Kit
Spokespeople from right-to-die group Exit International and the B.C. Civil Liberties Association will be available to the media before Exit hosts its first Canadian workshop at Vancouver’s Unitarian Church and launches a euthanasia drug test kit.
News release >>
November 3, 2009
B.C. Government Plans to Remove Homeless to Shelters
The BC Civil Liberties Association criticized the provincial government’s Assistance to Shelter Act that was introduced today, as a band-aid approach that could easily be used to displace the homeless from high-visibility areas in time for the Olympics.
News release >>
October 29, 2009
Legal Observers in Victoria for 2010 Olympic Torch Launch
The BCCLA will have 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, and the torch run will be their first time to take the streets.
News release >>
October 26, 2009
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.
News release >>
October 23, 2009
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.
News release >>
October 22, 2009
BCCLA Demands Equal Treatment for U Vic Pro-life Club
The BCCLA is taking up the case of Youth Protecting Youth (YPY), a pro-life club at the University of Victoria.
News release >>
October 21, 2009
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.
News release >>
October 20, 2009
Vancouver Public Library Bans Suicide Discussion
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.
News release >>
October 20, 2009
BCCLA Condemns Unlucky B.C. Government Bill 13
The BCCLA condemned the BC 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.
News release >>
October 9, 2009
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.
News release >>
October 8, 2009
BCCLA Helps Activists Sue City Over Olympic Gag Law
The BCCLA is supporting two activists in challenging the constitutionality of the City of Vancouver’s recently passed Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games By-law.
News release >>
October 7, 2009
Police Chiefs and BCCLA Agree That Police Accountability System Broken, Call on Solicitor General for Action
In a surprising about face, B.C.’s municipal police chiefs along with representatives from the RCMP joined in a press conference to declare that the current system for investigating criminal allegations against police officers, and in custody deaths, is broken and needs provincial intervention to restore public confidence in the police.
News release >>
September 24, 2009
Library Agrees to Re-Examine Decision Barring Suicide Discussion From Meeting Rooms
Following a presentation from the BCCLA last night, the Vancouver Public Library Board has agreed to revisit a decision by VPL management to bar the pro-choice group Exit International from presenting in library meeting rooms.
News release >>
September 24, 2009
BCCLA to Present to Vancouver Library Board Tonight on Right to Die Group Presentation
The BC Civil Liberties Association will be presenting to the Vancouver Public Library Board this evening on the issue of Exit International wishing to hold a workshop in the library’s meeting rooms based on Exit’s Peaceful Pill Handbook. The BCCLA will be asking the Library Board to overturn the Chief Librarian’s decision not to permit the room booking.
News release >>
September 23, 2009
RCMP Witness Endorses Civilian Investigation Model
RCMP Superintendent Wayne Rideout, a key witness in the inquiry into the death of Robert Dziekanski, became the latest high profile individual to endorse civilian investigation of police involved deaths for policy violations or criminal issues.
News release >>
September 23, 2009
Housing Minister Reverses Plan to Arrest Homeless
According to recent media reports, B.C. Housing Minister Rich Coleman is reversing plans that he endorsed as recently as Monday to arrest homeless people who refuse to report to the nearest homeless shelter during inclement weather.
News release >>
September 22, 2009
BCCLA Uncovers Plan to Turn Homeless Shelters Into Jails
The BCCLA has uncovered four documents that suggest the provincial government is in the final stages of preparing legislation to compel the homeless to remain in homeless shelters during the 2010 Olympics.
News release >>
Memos >>
September 21, 2009
BCCLA Asks Vancouver Public Library to Overturn Right to Die Presentation Ban
The Vancouver Public Library is inappropriately restricting free speech by preventing a right to die group from discussing suicide methods with members of the public says the BCCLA.
News release >>
September 21, 2009
“New” Police Act Still Has Police Investigating Themselves
B.C.’s new Solicitor General has introduced proposed changes to B.C.’s police act that, disappointingly, still have the police investigating themselves, even in cases of in custody deaths.
News release >>
September 17, 2009
“Trust us” not good enough, BCCLA tells VANOC
A recent press release from the Vancouver Olympic Organizing committee attempting to stem a growing tide of concern over free speech rights and the Olympics isn’t good enough says the BCCLA.
News release >>
September 16, 2009
Legal observer teams trained to hit the streets in 2010
If the BCCLA and Pivot get their way, more than 100 pairs of eyeballs will be on the streets of Vancouver during the 2010 Olympics watching for rights violations by the more than 7,000 police officers, 5,000 private security guards and 4,500 members of the Canadian armed forces.
News release >>
September 16, 2009
BCCLA and Pivot Legal announce Olympic legal observer program
The BCCL A, in partnership with the Pivot Legal Society, will be announcing a coordinated Olympic legal observer program, including training dates and locations, at a press conference tomorrow.
News release >>
Sept. 15, 2009
BCCLA Demands Inquest into Curtis Brick’s Death
The BCCLA joins the Union of BC Indian Chiefs and several other aboriginal organizations in demanding a coroner’s inquest into the death of homeless aboriginal man Curtis Brick. Witnesses alleged improper and degrading treatment of Brick by emergency first responders.
Letter to Chief Coroner's Office >>
August 24, 2009
Omar Khadr
BCCLA seeks compliance with order of the Federal Court directing the federal government to seek the repatriation of Omar Khadr to Canada.
Letter to Prime Minister Harper >>
August 17, 2009
Prosecutors Promise Decision in Boyd Police Shooting Case by August 31
Two years ago, on August 13, 2007, Vancouver animator Paul Boyd was shot by members of the Vancouver Police Department and still no decisions have been made on whether or not involved officers acted properly. A spokesperson for the Criminal Justice Branch advised the BCCLA on Thursday that their office expects to release a decision on the file by the end of the month, and that they are reviewing their internal processes to prevent future similar delays.
Read the press release >>
August 14, 2009
Integrated Security Unit Refuses to Release Street Closures to Vancouverites
The BCCLA has been forced to release unofficial street closure data obtained through Freedom of Information requests after requests to the security unit for the Olympics to release more accurate and timely information were ignored.
Read the press release >>
Freedom of Information request 1 >>
Freedom of Information request 2 >>
Freedom of Information request 3 >>
Road Closure Maps
Bayshore >>
Downtown >>
Hillcrest Park >>
John Hendry Park >>
Olympic Village >>
PNE >>
UBC >>
Road closure details >>
Complete map including affected areas >>
August 12, 2009
RCMP Should Not Investigate Themselves
Following a new report from the Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP that showed problems with 68% of RCMP criminal investigations of their own members, the BCCLA renewed calls for a civilian investigation body to be implemented immediately.
Read the press release >>
Read the Commission for Public Complaints report >>
Read the RCMP response to the report >>
August 11, 2009
BCCLA Lodges Police Complaint After Unlawful Searches at Fireworks
A witness observed pedestrians in the English Bay being randomly approached by VPD officers who asked to search their personal belongings. The witness approached the VPD officers and inquired about VPD authority to search for and seize alcohol. The VPD officers responded by falsely claiming that this practice is consistent with the Liquor Control Act.
Read the PDF >>
Public Complaints Against the RCMP report >>
Letter of complaint >>
July 28, 2009
“We Are Not Amused” Becomes Vancouver Bylaw Standard for Punishing Free Speech
The City of Vancouver has passed a large package of new by-laws arguing that the new laws are “necessary” to facilitate the Olympic Games. The by-laws carve out extensive public zones in which the City can dictate massive security screenings and draconian curtailment of free expression. In a sorry effort to mask the rest of the by-laws' failings, Council deleted one blatantly unconstitutional provision which would have allowed the removal of signs on city streets that “promote an idea.”
Read the PDF >>
July 27, 2009
BCCLA Demands Immediate Inquiry Into the Removal of Benamar Benatta And His Detention in the United States
To mark today’s three-year anniversary of Benamar Benatta’s return to Canada after almost five years of detention in the United States, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association is issuing a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper calling for a public investigation into the Canadian government’s conduct in delivering Mr. Benatta to American officials on the evening of September 12, 2001, a week after he had come to the Canadian border seeking asylum. Read the PDF >>
Letter to the Canadian government >>
July 20, 2009
UBC Responds to BCCLA Concerns About Student Free Speech
UBC has responded to concerns raised by the BCCLA that free speech will not be welcome in student dorms during the Olympics, promising that student free speech rights will be protected during the Games.
Read more >>
July 13, 2009
City Agrees With BCCLA Submissions on Noise Maker to Deter “Vagrants”, Strikes from Budget
The City of Vancouver listened carefully to the BCCLA’s and other community groups’ concerns Wednesday at City Hall and agreed to reject a proposal to install “Mosquito” noise making devices in city-owned parking lots. City Council voted to strike a $147,000 line item in the 2009 parking lot capital budget allocated to purchasing “noise maker(s) to deter vagrants from congregating in stairwells.”
Read more >>
July 13, 2009
Supreme Court of Canada Rules That Transit Authorities Must Allow Political Advertising on Public Transit
The BCCLA applauds the Supreme Court of Canada decision released today in B.C. Transit v. Canadian Federation of Students. The case was a constitutional challenge to the advertising policies of Translink and BC Transit which allowed for commercial advertising but not political advertising on government-controlled public transit vehicles.
Read more >>
July 10, 2009
Deterring Vagrants With Noisemakers Discriminates Against Youth
EasyPark, the parking company owned by the City of Vancouver, has proposed introducing nose making devices at City-owned parking garages to “deter vagrants.” The BCCLA wrote to caution the City on the human rights implications of these devices.
Read more >>
July 9, 2009
Supreme Court of Canada to Rule in Groundbreaking Free Expression Case
The Supreme Court of Canada will render its judgement in B.C. Transit v. Canadian Federation of Students on Friday, July 10. The BCCLA appeared as an intervener in the case at the Supreme Court of Canada, and at the BC Supreme Court and BC Court of Appeal.
Read more >>
July 8, 2009
Free Speech Faces Olympic-Sized Threat, says BCCLA
In the wake of UBC forbidding students from posting signs and posters on dorm buildings or in dorm windows “visible from the Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre” and VANOC urging cities to prohibit political leafleting or signs during the Olympic torch run, the BCCLA has come to the troubling conclusion that free speech is not welcome at the Olympics.
Read more >>
Read more (French) >>
Read more (German) >>
July 3, 2009
BCCLA Says Police “Body-Worn” Video Cameras Not About Police Accountability
Would you like your privacy invasion super-sized? Not only is the Victoria Police Department implementing a policy of unlawful mandatory searches for alcohol during Canada Day celebrations, they have announced they will be invading your privacy with warrantless recordings as well.
Read more >>
June 30, 2009
BCCLA Condemns Unlawful Canada Day Searches
BC Transit and the Victoria Police Department to implement a policy of unlawful mandatory searches during Canada Day celebrations.
News release >>
June 26, 2009
Security Certificate Detainee to Speak Out in Vancouver
Adil Charkaoui, the lead litigant in the successful constitutional challenge of Canada’s security certificate and secret trial regime at the Supreme Court of Canada is coming to Vancouver. The BCCLA, in partnership with No One Is Illegal and other local organizations will be welcoming Mr. Charkaoui to speak about his experiences at a public forum.
News release >>
June 23, 2009
BCCLA Demands Assurances RCMP Disclosing All Relevant Materials at Braidwood Inquiry
The Braidwood inquiry was thrown into an uproar today after a Department of Justice lawyer, representing the RCMP, made a late disclosure of an email exchange between two senior RCMP officers just as closing submissions were about to begin. The BCCLA is a participant at the inquiry.
News release >>
June 19, 2009
With Cell Phone Video Recovery Inconclusive, BCCLA Calls on VPD to Release Surveillance Video
Two months of effort by three different data recovery companies to recover an allegedly deleted cell phone video of a police shooting has ended in a frustratingly inconclusive result. The data recovery companies have not been able to say, one way or another, whether the video ever existed, or recover any part of the video.
News release >>
June 5, 2009
BCCLA Condemns CBC Ban on Political Ads
The BCCLA condemned the CBC for its refusal to run political advertisements outside election periods. The policy came to light when the public broadcaster refused to air federal Conservative party advertisements, arguing that it has a “strict policy” against political advertisements outside election periods.
News release >>
June 4, 2009
BCCLA Demands Immediate Repatriation of Abousfian Abdelrazik
In light of today’s Federal Court judgment, the BCCLA demanded the immediate repatriation of a Canadian citizen who has been living in the Canadian embassy in Khartoum, Sudan, for more than a year after being detained there without charge since 2005.
News release >>
June 3, 2009
BCCLA Shares Cell Phone Video Recovery Results
The BCCLA will hold a news conference in Vancouver to announce the results of attempts to recover a cellphone video of the shooting of Michael Hubbard by Vancouver Police.
News release >>
June 3, 2009
BCCLA Launches Police News Blog
“The BCCLA is thrilled to be launching Canada’s first policing blog,” says Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA. “We hope that by engaging and educating the community through stories we post, and also by posting articles, comments and stories by members and organizations that share our goals, we can all work together to achieve the best policing possible.”
News release >>
June 3, 2009
Decision by the Supreme Court to Dismiss Leave to Appeal Afghanistan Prisoners’ Case Puts Protection in Limbo
The decision by the Supreme Court today to dismiss leave to appeal of the case of how the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and Canada’s international human rights obligations apply to the transfer of prisoners in Afghanistan is a setback for protection of prisoners everywhere.
News release >>
Amnesty Canada and BCCLA 2008 statement >>
May 21, 2009
Right to Water
Access to clean water is increasingly being seen as a human right and an civil liberties issue. The BCCLA recognizes the right to adequate supplies of clean drinking water as a human need foundational to effective participation as a democratic citizen that it deserves to be protected as both a civil liberty and a human right by legislation and policy at the municipal, provincial and national level.
BCCLA position paper >>
May 14, 2009
Abousfian Abdelrazik
BCCLA expresses concerns about the conduct of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade with respect to Abousfian Abdelrazik, a Canadian citizen who has been in de facto exile in Sudan since 2003.
Letter to Prime Minister Harper >>
May 5, 2009
BCCLA Supports May Day Call for Sex Worker Rights
The BCCLA wrote a letter to the Premier today in support of the demands of a number of Vancouver advocacy organizations for improved protection of the health and safety of sex workers and the improvement of the conditions in which they typically work.
News release >>
Letter to Premier Campbell >>
April 30, 2009
RCMP Change Policy After BCCLA Complaints
Following a series of complaints made by the BCCLA about the RCMP ending in custody death conduct investigations before the investigations were complete, the RCMP notified the BCCLA yesterday that it had changed its policy of early termination of these investigations.
News release >>
April 28, 2009
BCCLA Demands Repatriation of Khadr in Wake of Federal Court Decision
The BCCLA demanded immediate action from the Prime Minister’s office for the immediate repatriation of child-soldier Omar Khadr in wake of a Federal Court decision released today. "The Federal Court has made the only decision that could be made under the Charter,” says Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA. “This matter is an ongoing embarrassment to the Canadian public and the Canadian government. We demand immediate action from the Prime Minister’s office to bring Mr. Khadr home.”
News release >>
Federal Court decision >>
April 23, 2009
Over 600 Days of Inaction Since Boyd Shooting by VPD
619 days have passed since animator Paul Boyd was shot by members of the Vancouver Police Department, and an investigation by the BCCLA shows that no decisions have been made on criminal charges, or even on whether or not to hold a coroner’s inquest. In addition, the VPD professional standards investigation has not even begun.
News release and backgrounder >>
Letter to Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General >>
Letter to Vancouver Police Department >>
Letter to Attorney General >>
April 22, 2009
Supreme Court of Canada Upholds Property Seizure Law
The Supreme Court of Canada released its judgment today in Chatterjee v. Attorney General of Ontario, upholding the constitutionality Ontario’s Civil Remedies Act, a law which allows the province to seize property believed to be the proceeds of crime and other unlawful activity.
News release >>
April 17, 2009
Single Transferable Vote in Referendum
The BCCLA endorses the Single Transferable Vote system, which will be considered by BC voters in the upcoming May 12 BC Electoral Referendum. The referendum will select one of two formulas to translate votes into seats in the Legislature.
News release >>
April 16, 2009
BCCLA Says Federal Government Must Bring Khadr Home
In the wake of this week’s firing and rehiring, of Omar Khadr’s American military lawyer, the BCCLA again demanded the child soldier’s repatriation. “The American military trial processes relating to Mr. Khadr have been irregular and troubled from the outset,” said Robert Holmes, President of the BCCLA. “That has been determined already by the highest courts in both the US and Canada.”
News release >>
April 8, 2009
Complaint, Coverage Leads to Policy Change and Apology
The BCCLA thanked the Chief of the Vancouver Police Department today for moving to clarify police policy around seizing cameras from the public and for apologizing in writing to a Province newspaper photographer.
News release >>
Apology from VPD Police Chief Chu >>
Standards for seizing video equipment from citizens >>
April 8, 2009
BC Government Fast-Tracks Costly
E-Health System: Unprepared and Unequipped to Safeguard Privacy Despite posing a serious threat to every British Columbian’s constitutional right to privacy, the BC Government plans to roll-out its new “eHealth” system of integrated electronic healthcare records.
News release >>
April 7,2009
BCCLA Demands Clarification of VPD Policy on Seizing Cameras
The BCCLA filed a complaint today with the Vancouver Police Board, asking them to clarify VPD policy on seizing cameras. The BCCLA says that Sunday’s allegation by a Vancouver Province photographer brings to three the number of high-profile allegations against the VPD concerning the seizure of cameras in recent memory.
News release >>
Complaint >>
April 7, 2009
Court of Appeal Refuses Attempt to Save Bill 42
The BCCLA is pleased that Mr. Justice Lowry of the BC Court of Appeal this afternoon dismissed the application of the Attorney General of BC for a stay of the order pronounced earlier this week holding that pre-campaign third election expense limits were unconstitutional.
News release >>
April 3, 2009
BCCLA Files Complaint Against CSIS For Using Torture-Derived Information
The BCCLA has filed a complaint against the Canadian Security Intelligence Service for using information it knows is derived from torture.
News release >>
Complaint >>
April 2, 2009
BCCLA Questions VPD Chief’s Distribution Of Shooting Details to VPD
The BCCLA is questioning Chief Chu’s decision to release a memo detailing information about a VPD shooting to all Vancouver Police officers. The memo, released publicly by Global TV and by Sgt. Mark Tonner in his column in the Province, allegedly details Chief Chu’s impressions of the contents of a videotape of the shooting.
News release >>
March 30, 2009
Police Complaint Commission Finds Canada Day Searches Unlawful
The Commission for Public Complaints against the RCMP has condemned the practice of mandatory and indiscriminate searches during large events. The ruling comes from a complaint made by the BCCLA about searches that took place during 2008 Canada Day celebrations in Victoria, BC.
News release >>
RCMP Report >>
Victoria Police Department Report >>
Original Letter of Complaint >>
March 30, 2009
Bill 42 Restrictions on Non-Party Election Advertising in Pre-Election Period Unconstitutional
Provisions of the Election Act of B.C. that restrict election advertising by non-parties in the 60 day period prior to calling a provincial general election are contrary to the protection provided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
News release >>
March 27, 2009
Governments Cannot Sue Critics for Defamation - Civil Liberties Celebrates Victory for Freedom of Expression B.C. Supreme Court Justice Nicole Garson granted the declaration sought by John Dixon and the BCCLA, that “the defendant City of Powell River lacks any legal basis or right to bring civil proceedings for defamation of its governing reputation…”
News release >>
March 26, 2009
BCCLA Assists Shooting Victim’s Family:
Releases Photos and Statement
The BCCLA has assisted Michael Hubbard’s two daughters in finding a lawyer and releasing photos and a statement today. “It must be devastating to know that your father died due to a case of mistaken identity,” said David Eby, acting Executive Director of the BCCLA. “We are honoured to be able to assist Mr. Hubbard’s daughters in their grief to get the message out about who their father was.”
News release >>
Hubbard family statement >>
photo >>
photo >>
March 26, 2009
Smolcic to Give Videophone to Data Recovery Specialists
Adam Smolcic, the man who allegedly videotaped a police-involved shooting on Friday with his cellphone is turning the phone over to data recovery specialists this morning at 11:30 a.m. He will be accompanied by lawyer and Executive Director of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association, David Eby.
News release >>
March 23, 2008
BCCLA Calls For External Force to Investigate Death of Homeless Man
The BC Civil Liberties Association called for the Vancouver Police Department to bring in an outside police agency to investigate the recent alleged Vancouver Police Department officer’s shooting of an apparently homeless man in the 500 block of Homer Street this morning.
News release >>
March 20, 2009
BCCLA Decries Shameful Banning of British MP on “National Security Grounds”
The BCCLA iscalling on the Canadian Immigration Minister to immediately overturn the outrageous decision by the Canadian Border Services Agency to ban British MP George Galloway from Canada for his anti-war views.
News release >>
March 20, 2009
BCCLA Congratulates VPD for Changes to Downtown Eastside Crackdown Plan
The BCCLA congratulated the Vancouver Police Department for amending their 2009 business plan to eliminate proposed targets of increasing the number of bylaw tickets issued by 20% and introducing unprecedented levels of arbitrary and unconstitutional “street checks” of the neighbourhood’s residents. The VPD confirmed at their March 18 Police Board meeting that their ticketing and street check practices had returned to “historical levels” and that language outlining the initiative had been removed from their business plan.
News release >>
March 18, 2009
BCCLA, Aboriginal Leaders, Family Members Call For Public Inquiry Into Murdered and Missing Women
A coalition of aboriginal leaders, community groups and family members brought together by the BCCLA released an open letter and a set of demands today calling for a public inquiry into the missing and murdered women of the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver and the Highway of Tears, supports for families enduring the current appeal process, and commencement of the trial for the 20 further alleged victims of Robert William Pickton.
News release >>
Letter
March 11, 2009
BCCLA Calls for Review of RCMP Actions on Taser Tests After issuing a press release saying that all Tasers tested by the RCMP had met manufacturer specifications, this week the police force released documents to the BCCLA that indicate that two of thirty tasers tested actually failed to meet those standards. In response to the revelations, the BCCLA is calling for a review of the RCMP actions on the file by the Minister of Public Safety, and for responsibility for Taser safety testing to be taken away from the RCMP.
News release >>
Letter to Minister of Public Safety >>
CEW Testing Message posted to RCMP website >>
RCMP Taser test results >>
RCMP Taser testing protocol for the X-26 >>
RCMP Taser testing protocol for the M-26 >>
December 8, 2008 RCMP media release >>
March 6, 2009
Proposed Police Act Amendments Target Watchdogs
The BCCLA blasted proposed changes to the British Columbia Police Act saying that the changes target watchdogs and limit their participation, force complainants to sit down with police officers they are complaining against, and still exempts all documents in the complaint process from Freedom of Information requests.
News release >>
March 9, 2009
BCCLA Wants Vancouver 2010 Police Out of City Hall
The BCCLA has released an open letter to the Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit (ISU) asking them to stay out of City Hall for intelligence gathering purposes. A report obtained by the BCCLA indicates that three plain-clothes members of the RCMP coordinated ISU attended City Hall to gather information about individuals attending a City Council meeting to speak against municipal Olympic intiatives.
News release >>
Letter >>
February 19, 2009
Omar Khadr Military Lawyer Wins Civil Liberties Award
The BCCLA has selected U.S. Lieutenant-Commander William Kuebler as the 2009 recipient of their annual Reg Robson Award for protecting civil liberties. Two years ago, Lt.-Comm. Kuebler was appointed by the U.S. Navy to represent Canadian-citizen Omar Khadr before the U.S. military commissions at Guantanamo Bay. His advocacy continues to this day.
News release >>
February 16, 2009
Free to Speak Campaign Takes on Unfair BC Election Law
A non-partisan coalition, ranging from the BCCLA to the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, has come together to warn British Columbians that it is not just big spenders who are at risk under the new Election Act. The Election Act’s third party advertising restrictions have opened a nightmare of arbitrary enforcement, fines and possible jail sentences for individuals and small community groups who comment on public interest issues.
News release >>
February 13, 2009
Concerns Expressed About VPD Business Plan
The BCCLA, the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, the Youthco Aids Society, the Asian Society for the Intervention of Aids, BC Persons With AIDS Society, the B.C. Positive Women’s Network and AIDS Vancouver issued an open letter to the Vancouver Police Department and Vancouver Police Board today outlining concerns about the 2009 VPD business plan and its potential to restrict access to basic health care for Downtown Eastside residents.
Letter >>
February 10, 2009
BCCLA Calls for Charges to be Dropped in Polygamy Cases
The BCCLA calls for charges to be dropped in the recently laid polygamy cases in Bountiful.
News release >>
February 9, 2009
Advocacy Groups Send Open Letter to VPD and Police Board
An ad hoc coalition of organizations concerned with issues of access to basic healthcare for people living with HIV, or at risk of infection from the disease, is releasing an open letter to the Vancouver Police Department concerning the VPD’s 2009 draft business plan at a press conference on Tuesday morning.
News release >>
February 9, 2009
Court Rules That Government Must Compensate Individual For Inadvertently Infringing His Charter Rights
The BCCLA applauds the BC Court of Appeal judgment released last week in Ward v. Province of British Columbia and Ward v. City of Vancouver, which holds that damages are an appropriate remedy when police or other government agents inadvertently infringe an individual’s constitutional rights.
News release >>
February 4, 2009
RCMP Report Suggests Taser Use on Nine Non-Combative Subjects
In their latest report on Taser use in Canada released last week, the RCMP appear to have acknowledged that between January and March of 2008, officers used Tasers on one cooperative individual and eight “passive resistant” individuals. RCMP policy changed in December of 2007 to restrict the use of Tasers only in situations of active resistance.
News release >>
February 3, 2009
BCCLA Opposes Canwest’s Attempt to Loosen License Restrictions
The BCCLA has filed a submission to the CRTC opposing an application by media giant Canwest to loosen license restrictions aimed at protecting media diversity. The filing alleges that Canwest has failed to demonstrate that it has met the terms of its license and is therefore not entitled to relaxed terms and self-governance.
News release >>
Submission to CRTC >>
January 29, 2009
Freedom of Expression
The BCCLA called on Vancouver City Council to respect freedom of expression rights in light of proposed amendments to the Vancouver Charter that would fine individuals for having “illegal signs” or for leafleting in amounts as high as $10,000 per day. The amendments are related to concerns about ambush marketing during the Olympics. Read our submission to council here.
Letter to Vancouver City Council >>
January 22, 2009
Public, Police Deserve Independent Investigation Agency
The BCCLA says that the example of the three police officers arrested early Wednesday morning is further justification for reform of the police complaints system.
News release >>
January 22, 2009
BCCLA Joins Movement to Reverse Legal Aid Cuts
The B.C. Civil Liberties Association joined the Trial Lawyers Association of British Columbia, West Coast Leaf, the Western Canada Society to Access Justice and the Canadian Bar Association in condemning recent cuts to Legal Aid in the province.
News release >>
Letter to the Attorney General >>
January 20, 2009
