I am humbled and honoured to join the BC Civil Liberties Association in its seventh decade. Over its dedicated history, the BCCLA, together with community partners and supporters, has achieved profound and impactful change across a vast range of vital rights-based issues. These precedent-setting milestones, including historic wins addressing solitary confinement, medical assistance in dying, and police accountability, speak to the breadth of our collective accomplishments and the importance of our work ahead in demanding accountability for systemic abuses that disproportionately impact marginalized communities.

We are steadfast in our commitment to ending discrimination against marginalized people within the criminal justice and other government systems. We will work to uphold our obligations in relation to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action, and demand that governments do the same. We will remain vigilant in protecting against the erosion of the rights and freedoms of those who continue to endure unfair treatment and discrimination.

Our resolve to defend, protect and extend the inalienable human rights and inherent civil liberties of those most disadvantaged and marginalized within our communities remains well-supported in the hands of our talented and dedicated staff, Board, pro-bono counsel, and collaborative network of community partners. As our community strengthens, each new day offers us a chance to work together, pursue opportunities, face new challenges and to improve on the lessons learned from our past.

I want to thank our partners, fellow supporters, donors, community partners, board members, and especially our dedicated team for the warm welcomes I have received. I look forward to meeting and working with many more as we continue to work towards achieving our shared goal of a more free and just society.

Thank you for your continued support.

Sincerely,

Joanne Macri (she/her)