For survivors of sexual assault navigating the criminal legal system, the disclosure of private records and introduction of evidence about their sexual history can be a devastating intrusion. Concerns about this type of intrusion can also be a major Read More
Happy birthday to equality rights in the Charter! And happy birthday to us!
Today is Equality Day: the 35th birthday of the equality rights protections of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These provisions were included in the Charter thanks to the relentless leadership of feminists. Today, we thank and celebrate those Read More
Letter calling for an end to the three-month wait period for health care
In January 2020, West Coast LEAF added our voice to the call by Sanctuary City Vancouver and many other groups to end the three-month waiting period to access health care for people entering or returning to Canada. Read our Read More
RELEASE: Budget 2020: Province committed to staying the course, but leaves many behind
For immediate release – February 18, 2020 VICTORIA – Today, the provincial government released Budget 2020. While we are pleased that this budget is aimed at holding the course on earlier commitments, it still leaves BC’s most marginalized residents Read More
Joint letter on Bill S-3 and Indian status registration for First Nations women and their descendants
In February 2020, 20 organizations and individuals sent a letter to the Canadian government expressing concerns about a lack of information and delays regarding the registration process for First Nations women and their descendants who are newly entitled to Read More
We’ll be at the BC Human Rights Tribunal to highlight impacts of discrimination in the child welfare system
Beginning on Tuesday, February 18, the BC Human Rights Tribunal will begin hearing a complaint brought by an Indigenous mother, known as R.R., against the Vancouver Aboriginal Child and Family Services Society (“VACFSS”), an agency delegated to administer parts Read More
Joint letter on the process and timelines for the National Action Plan on Violence against Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit People
In February 2020, more than 20 individuals and organizations signed a letter calling on the federal government to change its approach to implementing the National Action Plan to ensure that it is led by Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit Read More
2020 Media Coverage
At West Coast LEAF, we’re proud to make the news regularly, to share our expertise widely, and ultimately to shift public opinion, laws, and policies. Here’s some of what we’ve been up to in 2020! January “These Policies Read More