BC Civil Liberties Association

06/05/2026

Young people are drivers of social change and often lead movements that change all our lives for the better. Yet, they have fewer rights and are unable to vote for those in power making decisions that affect them and their futures.

For the past 21 years, BCCLA has hosted a very special event — our Annual Youth Conference. In April, we held our biggest conference yet — with over 200 students registered — and created a space for young people from 7 different schools across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland to come together, develop a deeper understanding of their rights, and engage critically with issues like AI & deepfakes, misinformation, police interactions, privacy, housing rights, and their rights at work.

We are so grateful to our wonderful workshop co-presenters BCGEU, OpenMedia, Justice for Girls, Tenant Resource & Advisory Centre, Sanctuary Health, and Erdene Batz for sharing their knowledge, stories and insights.

And a special shout out to our inspirational keynote speakers Jerry and Jason Song of Twin Talks Politics.

Check it out: https://bit.ly/4e4PcM7

05/28/2026

Have you had a negative interaction with police in BC? Check out our new Pathways to Police Accountability toolkit for what you can do after the police have violated your rights.
The toolkit has practical and realistic information about what police accountability pathways are available to you, how to use them, and what to expect along the way. It explains legal terms, simplifies complex processes, and provides realistic expectations about how effective— or ineffective — each pathway might be.

Accessing justice shouldn’t be complicated. Government agencies mandated to hold police accountable are failing to provide the necessary information and support to help people navigate the system and meaningfully access justice. By launching this toolkit, we are taking action to build public capacity and confidence to seek remedies for police harm or misconduct. We hope that an increase in the volume of complaints, a greater awareness of systemic misconduct, and building pressure for police reform will ultimately enable stronger independent police oversight.
Canadian Race Relations Fdn / Fondation canadienne des relations raciales

Download the toolkit today: https://bccla.org/resource/pathways-to-police-accountability-toolkit/

05/21/2026

Media Advisory: Minister’s Firing of Victoria School Board Over Police in Schools Violated Charter Principles

Read the advisory:

WHAT: BCCLA to intervene in Duncan v British Columbia (Education and Child Care) at the BC Supreme Court to stand up for school board independence, democracy, and equality WHEN: May 25, 2026 – June 3, 2026  WHERE: BC Supreme Court, Victoria Law Courts […]

05/21/2026

BCCLA Reacts: Fairy Creek Class Action Recognized as Preferable to RCMP Oversight Body for Charter Violations

"The Court confirmed the important role a class action can play in providing access to justice in cases of police overreach during protests and acts of civil disobedience" - Katie Duke, Counsel for BCCLA

Read our Full Response:

xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil Waututh) / Vancouver, BC – The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is pleased with the BC Court of Appeal’s May 20 decision in […]

05/14/2026

BCCLA is hiring an Articling Student

Application Deadline: May 24, 2026

Learn More and Apply:

Term: Oct 1, 2026 – September 30, 2027Salary: $65,000/annum About the BCCLA: Based in Vancouver, the B.C. Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) is one of Canada’s oldest and most active civil […]

05/06/2026

Media Advisory: BCCLA at Alberta Court of Appeal to Defend Lifesaving Overdose Prevention Services

"When governments choose to provide lifesaving health services to vulnerable people, and those individuals come to rely on them for survival, withdrawing that support is not neutral; it is state action with real consequences. This challenge is about preventing Governments from sidestepping Charter scrutiny by reframing their duties through the ‘positive’ or ‘negative’ right lens.” - Jerome Igbokwe, BCCLA Staff Counsel

Read the Media Advisory: https://ow.ly/1wt850YVM5T

05/04/2026

"This is deeply alarming. The public deserves answers through a public inquiry, plus real protection from the impacts. Political parties have access to sensitive personal info about Canadian voters and must not be exempt from laws that regulate its collection, use, and disclosure!" - Aislin Jackson, BCCLA Staff Counsel

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says those responsible for exposing voters’ private information to the public should be held legally accountable.

04/30/2026

Press Release: Hundreds March Against FIFA’s Impacts on the City as Congress Meets Behind Closed Doors in Vancouver

"While all levels of government are stating there is no funding for the social safety net — including desperately needed affordable housing — we see hundreds of millions of dollars being poured into playing host to the World Cup and tourists." - Chantelle Spicer, BC Poverty Reduction Coalition

Read More: https://bccla.org/2026/04/press-release-hundreds-march-against-fifas-impacts-on-the-city-as-congress-meets-behind-closed-doors-in-vancouver/

04/22/2026

Join our Team! BCCLA is hiring a Articling Student.

Application Deadline: May 24th, 2026

Learn more and Apply: https://ow.ly/Pnp350YO9lN

04/22/2026

Press Release: Press Release: BCCLA Protecting Voter Rights at the Supreme Court of Canada

Read the Full Release: https://ow.ly/ICMK50YNKwT