These cases concerned whether compensatory damages can be awarded for a violation of rights guaranteed in the Charter. The appeals stem from a case brought by an individual, Mr. Cameron Ward, who sought declarations that his rights under the Charter were infringed, as well as damages, for wrongful imprisonment, a jail strip search, and the unreasonable seizure of his car by police. The BCCLA argued that it was necessary to award damages to Mr. Ward in order to provide him with full and effective remedies for the violation of his Charter rights.