BC Civil Liberties Association Update November 2009


Letter to Prime Minister Harper

The BCCLA and Amnesty International are requesting a Commission of Inquiry to look into the matter of Canadian forces' involvement in the torture of Afghan civilians.

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.

VPD Disables Sonic Gun in Response to BCCLA Objections

The Vancouver Police Department 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.

RCMP Agrees to Release Videotape of Willey Death

The 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, if the family consents.

Omar Khadr

On November 13, the BCCLA argued 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. The Supreme Court has not yet made a decision in the case.

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.

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.

VPD Disables Sonic Gun in Response to BCCLA Objections

The Vancouver Police Department 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.

BCCLA Calls 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 calling for the return of BC Ferries to the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.


Assisted Suicide

The BCCLA supported Exit International in hosting its first Canadian workshop at Vancouver’s Unitarian Church. Exit International was banned last month from the Vancouver Public Library due to the Library Board’s concerns about liability arising from the content of Exit International’s workshop.

Extreme Police Tactics Violate Rights Against Unreasonable Search and Seizure

The BCCLA argued 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. The Supreme Court has not yet made a decision in the case.

2009 Mary McDonald Contest Winners and New Essay Contest Announced

The contest recognizes the best post-secondary student essay on a human rights or civil liberties topic that is a focus of the BCCLA. This year University of Victoria student Laura Atkinson was our first place winner.

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