For immediate release – Oct. 5, 2021 VANCOUVER, UNCEDED COAST SALISH HOMELANDS – A two-day hearing that has significant implications for how courts handle sexual assault cases commences today at the Supreme Court of Canada. West Coast LEAF and Read More
Defending the privacy and equality rights of sexual assault survivors
West Coast LEAF and WAVAW have been granted leave to jointly intervene in two appeals before the Supreme Court of Canada that address the constitutionality of new protections for complainants in sexual assault trials. The cases, R. v J.J. Read More
SCC case has big implications for consent law
Does the law protect your right to consent to sex on the condition that a condom be worn? Is it fraud if an intimate partner removes a condom without your knowledge or sabotages it during sex? Is condom removal Read More
We are excited to share a big victory for single parents with you!
On Friday, June 4, the Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Colucci v Colucci, setting out much needed clarifications in child support law that make it easier for mothers and other single parents to receive the child support that they Read More
RELEASE: Supreme Court of Canada improves child support law, addressing economic insecurity of single mothers and their children
The Supreme Court of Canada released its decision in Colucci v Colucci today, setting out much-needed clarifications in child support law that will make it easier for single mothers to receive the child support that they are owed. The Read More
Challenging the power imbalance in the child welfare system
Last week, West Coast LEAF was granted intervenor status in a case about child welfare agencies’ access to personal information about caregivers and children held by third parties, including records held by health care providers, counsellors, and the police. Read More
Letter on the denial of the BC Recovery Benefit to kinship caregivers
In May 2021, West Coast LEAF wrote to the BC government to call for action to ensure that kinship caregivers have fair and equal access to the BC Recovery Benefit, which is designed to support families during the pandemic. Read More
The future of policing in BC
Last week, West Coast LEAF provided written submissions to the Special Committee on Reforming the Police Act. After public outcry over systemic discrimination in policing, there has been a groundswell of demand for change. The BC Legislature has appointed Read More