British Columbia Civil Liberties Association | 16 March 2000 | For Immediate Release Civil liberties group announces 1999 brickbats and bouquets Our second annual reporting of the best and worst defenders of civil liberties in British Columbia. Brickbats BC Human Rights Commission & Tribunal the former for ordering a hearing into a sexual harassment complaint that had previously been rejected by UBC’s Equity Office, the latter for losing control of the process, then issuing a decision vastly expanding the scope of sexual harassment. International Forest Products Limited for applying for an injunction barring the public and the press from a large area around a disputed logging operation. New Westminster City Council for enacting a bylaw banning the sale of drug paraphernalia despite police advice that no problem exists, and for supporting illegal police behaviour in cracking down on the street drug trade. Slocan Forest Products Limited for launching a civil suit against an environmental group to punish and intimidate the group for protesting Slocan Forest Products’ practices. The University of British Columbia for requiring a pro-life group to pay for extra security for its provocative display, and for supporting a "women only" ad. Vancouver Police Department for acting beyond its legal powers to ward off feared public mayhem, and the Vancouver Police Board for its support of such police tactics. Bouquets All the lawyers in BC who donate their time and talents for pro bono work Need we add why? Association of Canadian Chiefs of Police for recommending the decriminilization of the possession of marijuana and other controlled substances. David Flaherty for his years of service as BC’s Information and Privacy Commissioner, especially his outspoken criticism of privacy invasions. The Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) for quickly reversing its policy on criminal record checks of employees in non-sensitive positions. Kim Bolan the Vancouver Sun reporter, for continuing to report on Sikh extremists despite death threats. Vancouver Police Department/Police Board for devoting considerable resources to solving the murders of Downtown eastside women. Vancouver/Richmond Health Board for its creative projects for harm reduction projects in the Downtown eastside. Victoria Public Library for continuing its "content neutral" meetings rooms policy in the face of strong criticism. MEDIA CONTACT John Westwood, Executive Director 425 - 815 West Hastings Street Vancouver, BC V6C 1B4 phone: (604) 687-2919 e-mail: info@bccla.org - 30 -